Nirlep plans cookware range

Non-stick cookware manufacturer Nirlep Appliances Limited (Nirlep) plans to introduce Pardini professional cookware range in India.

Nirlep's managing director Mukund Bhogale said the professional cookware range to be introduced in India would be co-branded Nirlep-Pardini.

"We will target the fast expanding hospitality and food sector in India for the soon-to-be-introduced professional range," he said.

Nirlep has an on-going original equipment manufacturer (OEM) tie-up to manufacture and supply non-stick cookware to the 10 million Euro Italy-based Pardini. The company currently makes Pardini cookware under a technology licence from the Italian partner for global sales.

"The co-branded cookware will be sold under a royalty arrangement with Pardini," Bhogale said, adding there would be no additional investment necessary for the professional range.

Stating, it was a new segment in India, he said the company saw a sizeable opportunity in the growing hospitality sector as well as professional caterers.

He, however, did not indicate any numbers in terms of units to be sold or the revenue addition from the new range. "Professional cookware currently forms about 7 per cent of our business," he said.

Pardini is among the world's four major professional cookware makers, the other three being Agmelli of Italy and Deboir and Metfer both of France.

Nirlep recently began its brand extension plans with the introduction of pressure cookers and gas stoves. Bhogale said the company had recently tied up with Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum for sale of Nirlep products at the retail gas outlets.

"While the arrangement is working satisfactorily, the company will soon enter into a similar arrangement with the Indian Oil Corporation," he said.

He, however, clarified that the company only trades in gas stoves and does not manufacture them. He indicated that the future opportunities for such brand extension could be in the small kitchen appliances or weighing scales.

The Rs 200-crore Nirlep Group is also into automotive components manufacturing and has an OEM tie-up with Germany's BMW for handle bars for motorcycles and Same Tractors of Italy for sub assemblies and suspension parts. About 25 per cent of the group's business comes from cookware sales.