Dr Batra's plans 20 clinics in India, eyes overseas market

Plans to raise Rs 200 cr via PE funding in FY18

Homoeopathy clinic chain Dr Batra's is planning to expand its presence to around 20 new homeopathy clinics across India and abroad by the end of financial year 2016-17. The company is also looking for private equity funding in the next financial year 2017-18. It has a plan to raise Rs 200 crore via private equity funding.

"In this financial year, we are investing Rs 35 crore for the expansion. We plan to add 10 clinics in India and 10 abroad during the current financial year. As we already have a substantial presence in India with 225 clinics, the emphasis will be more on consolidation, while in overseas the focus will be on expansion," said Dr Akshay Batra, managing director, Dr Batra's group of companies.

The markets that the company is looking to expand includes UK, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Switzerland. Last year, the company has posted total revenue of Rs 240 crore.

"We are self sufficient for investments in the current financial year. But for the next financial year, we are planning to infuse Rs 200 crore via private equity," Dr Batra added.

In 2014, the company has forayed into the pet care segment by launching its first homeopathy cum veterinary hospital in the city. Now, it is expanding the pet clinic network by opening three more clinics in Vasai, near Mumbai, Goa and Gurgaon. It will further expand the network up to 30 clinics.

These clinics will be operated on franchise basis. It will have both homeopathic and allopathic treatment facilities for pets. Currently, it is offering treatment to 2,000 pets every month at Delhi hospital. It will have both homeopathic and allopathic treatment facilities for pets.

Dr Batra said: "We are planning to open three more multi-speciality veterinary hospitals in Mumbai, Goa and Gurgaon along with 30 more clinics across India in the next one year."

The group will also focus on expanding the reach of its FMCG products in India by doubling the number of outlets to 10,000 from 5,000 at present. As per the strategy, the company will be consolidating the business of its three segments -- homeopathy, aesthetic (that provides skin and hair care, among others) and FMCG products.

It is also exploring few other segments such as weight management and new products development, non-invasive weight management and pet care. It is also entering the nutraceuticals market with launch of four products.

Over 400 homeopathy doctors and consultants are associated with the company.