Tata Global to review plantation operations of its associates

Tata Global Beverages Limited (TGBL), formerly Tata Tea, will review the operations of its loss-making associates engaged in plantation activity, an official of the company said.
"Amalgamated Plantations is continuing to lose money. There is a need to take a call on both the plantation associates," chairman of TGBL N Chandrasekaran told shareholders at the company's AGM here today.
Earlier, the company separated its plantation activity from its core operations and formed two entities, Amalgamated Plantations (for north India) and Kannan Devan Plantations (for south India) to be run by employees cooperatives.
Presently, TGBL holds 41 per cent equity in Amalgamated and 28 per cent in Kannan Devan, without getting physically involved in the plantation activity.

Later, responding to reporters' queries, Chandrasekaran said that the company would review their operations and find ways to make them profitable.
"TGBL is unlikely to enter the plantation activity again and also not going to exit from these two entities," he said.
Chandrasekaran said that although the company's market share is 23 per cent in tea, it is making losses in other business units. "If required, the company will prune its portfolio and stay focussed.