TCPL expects to outpace the FMCG market

KOCHI:

The Tata Consumer Products Ltd

(TCPL) is expecting to outpace the FMCG market, said

Amit Chincholikar

, gobal chief human resources officer of the company. Recently, the

Tata Global Beverages Limited

(TGBL) and consumer business vertical of

Tata Chemicals

were merged to form TCPL, which will have a total turnover of more than Rs 9,300 crore.


“FMCG is a sector that is traditionally slowing down, during the last few months. But we are fairly bullish regarding our [growth] plans, because we believe we got the right set of products, the brand value of Tata, which basically stands for trust, and also a fairly strong distribution network, which we want to leverage on as we go. So, we remain optimistic of growth. This year we grew by about 8%, which is virtually double of the rate at which industry grew. We are hoping to continue the same and we are hoping to grow at a rate faster than the market growth rate,” Chincholikar said.

TCPL which has four verticals now – foods, beverages, water and international business (US, UK, Canada and Australian markets) - will be looking at expanding fast. “Now we have a consolidated presence. The biggest product we have in the foods business is salt and in beverages we have tea. Hence, expansion means now we will have a very strong distribution reach. Our products will be available in modern trade – in the supermarkets – and also in the rural areas,” he said.

Chincholikar said that the company will be focusing on the theme of nutrition to expand in the market. “The foods business, which earlier was mainly salt, is now having spices and pulses and products, which are based on the theme of nutrition. For example, the nutritional value of dal gets lost during polishing, but we will be offering un-polished dal which is rich in nutrients. The whole idea is to promote nutrition as the value, so everything we do will be in the healthy space,” he said. The nutritious foods are being sold under the Sampann brand.

“We have a strong innovation centre at Pune, which is part of the foods business and they do a lot research in different varieties under the healthy and nutritious segment, which we are going to get into. During the next 12-18 months’ time, the company will launch new products that include rice-based products and poha,” Chincholikar said.