India Business Insight articles from February 2009, page 4

India Business Insight archives from February 2009

BRANDS OF INDIA: CARTOON NETWORK (currently operates through 3,500 stores across India).
February 28, 2009... Cartoon Network was introduced to India in 1995 and was formally launched in 2001, when Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) became operational. CNE is the licensing and merchandising division of Cartoon Network and will be responsible for...

BRANDS OF INDIA: CHIC - A KLASS FASHIONS (product portfolio includes ladies undergarments, camisoles, panties and sports bra).
February 28, 2009... A Klass Fashions was launched in India in 1984. The company launched the brand Chic in 1986 and manufactures and retails ladies lingerie under the brand. It product portfolio includes ladies undergarments, camisoles, panties and sports...

BRANDS OF INDIA: CLASSIC POLO - ROYAL CLASSIC MILLS PVT LTD (retails its products through 63 outlets in India and one in Singapore).
February 28, 2009... Royal Classic Mills Private Ltd (RCMPL) was opened in 1991. It manufactures the complete range of medium and premium apparel for men. The company launched the Classic Polo brand in 2001 and retails its products through 63 outlets in...

BRANDS OF INDIA: COOL COLORS CASUALS - BAFNA CLOTHING COMPANY (retails its products through more than 600 MBOs and five EBOs across India).
February 28, 2009... Bafna Clothing Company (Bafna) was launched in 2002 and has over twenty-five years of experience in manufacturing readymade garments, casual and formal shirts, partywear, jeans, gabardine, khakis and other fashionable accessories for men. The...

BRANDS OF INDIA: COTTON COUNTY (retails its collections through 600 stores in 400 cities).
February 28, 2009... Cotton County Retail Ltd is based in Ludhiana. The company retails the complete range of shirts, t-shirts, trousers, denim and other apparel for men. The t-shirts are priced between Rs99 and Rs299 and shirts and trousers between Rs199 and...

BRANDS OF INDIA: DISNEY FOOTWEAR - LAKHANI PLATINUM LIFESTYLE PRIVATE LTD (the range is priced between Rs99 and Rs749).
February 28, 2009... Disney Footwear was developed in 2004 as collaboration between Lakhani Platinum Lifestyle Private Ltd and Puma. The new product line to manufacture Disney Footwear was launched in Mar 2008 under Lakhani platinum Lifestyle Private Ltd. The...

BRANDS OF INDIA: DUKE - DUKE FASHIONS INDIA LTD (has received several awards including the ISO 9001:2000 certification for maintaining TQM in all the units).
February 28, 2009... Duke Fashions India Ltd (Duke) was launched in 1966 in Ludhiana. The company manufactures and markets apparel, including T-shirts, jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts and tracksuits for men, women and children. Duke retails its products...

BRANDS OF INDIA: EGLE- MILANO IMPEX PRIVATE LTD (engaged in trading of footwear, which is retailed under the brand name of Egle).
February 28, 2009... Milano Impex Private Ltd was launched in 2004. The company is engaged in trading of footwear, which is retailed under the brand name of Egle. The product portfolio includes men's shoes, sandals and boots, priced between Rs3,590 and 6,290. The...

BRANDS OF INDIA: EROS (has its presence in Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Orissa).
February 28, 2009... Eros & Co was established in 2003 and retails its products through the shop-in-shops format in Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Orissa. The product range is ethnic wear like sherwanis, Kurtas...

BRANDS OF INDIA: EVOLUTION - MAJESTIC CLOTHING INDIA PRIVATE LTD (retails ladies apparel priced between Rs400 and Rs900).
February 28, 2009... Majestic Clothing India Private Ltd was established in 2002 in Tirupur. The women's apparel brand of the company, Evolution, was launched in 2008. The product portfolio of the brand includes casual t-shirts and sportswear priced between Rs400...

BRANDS OF INDIA: FAIPL - FASHION ACCESSORIES INDIA PVT LTD (has an annual turnover of about Rs50 crore).
February 28, 2009... Fashion Accessories India Private Ltd was established in 1997. The company manufactures garments, trims and accessories, including jeans, buttons, labels and tags for various reputed brands like Killer, Lawman and Spykar. The company also...

BRANDS OF INDIA: FI - SNG FASHIONS PRIVATE LTD (retailed in 11 cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Jaipur, apart from Kolkata).
February 28, 2009... SNG Fashions Private Ltd was started in 1996 in Kolkata. The Fashion & I (FI) brand was launched in 2004 and offers garments for women. The product portfolio of the brand comprises salwar suits, Indo-Western garments, sarees and...

BRANDS OF INDIA: FRITZBERG (currently available in 267 multi-brand outlets and 14 exclusive business outlets).
February 28, 2009... Fritzberg was launched in 2001 and has a 10,000 square feet manufacturing facility. The company produces clubwear, loungewear, power knits, denims, trousers and other products made of organic cotton. The subordinate brands of the company...

BRANDS OF INDIA: FUNNY - SHARDA APPARELS (manufactures apparel for men under the brand name of Tropical and boys' apparel under the Funny brand).
February 28, 2009... Sharada Apparels (SA) manufactures apparel for men under the brand name of Tropical and boys' apparel under the Funny brand. SA has been manufacturing the high quality garments since its launch in 2003. The company has taken up the...

BRANDS OF INDIA: GARBO - NATIONAL CLOTHING SUPPLY (INDIA) PRIVATE LTD (currently sold through agents and distributors like Ritu Wears and Chunmun).
February 28, 2009... National Clothing Supply (India) Private Ltd (NCSPL) was launched in 1949. The company is engaged in the manufacture of children's apparel. NCSPL launched the Garbo brand in 1978 and has established its presence in the export market by...

BRANDS OF INDIA: GEMINI NIGHTWEARS - K D GARMENTS (the collections are priced between Rs385 and Rs2,500).
February 28, 2009... K D Garments (launched in 1993) designs and manufactures nightwear, sleepwear and dressing gowns along with ladies pyjamas. The collections are priced between Rs385 and Rs2,500 and retailed under the brand name of Gemini Nightwears. The...

BRANDS OF INDIA: GIGI - MANVI INDUSTRIES (has an annual turnover of Rs2.5 crore).
February 28, 2009... Manvi Industries was founded in 2002 in Kolkata. The company manufactures kids' apparel like tops, cargoes and nightwear under the Gigi brand. The factory is located in New Alipore. The company has bagged the Global Organic...

BRANDS OF INDIA: GINI & JONY (earns an annual turnover of about Rs170 crore).
February 28, 2009... The Lakhani Brothers started manufacturing kidswear in 1994. The company launched the Gini & Jony (G&J) brand in 1980 to retail the kids' apparel brand in India through a network of 34 factory outlets, 145 exclusive business outlets (EBOs),...

BRANDS OF INDIA: GROGGY - TRIO SPORTSWEAR PRIVATE LTD (engaged in export of apparel under the brand name of Groggy).
February 28, 2009... Trio Sportswear Private Ltd (TSPL), launched in 2007, is engaged in export of apparel under the brand name of Groggy. The company has four units in Delhi NCR and Tirupur and also retails through Westside outlets. Groggy targets men,...

BRANDS OF INDIA: GROVERSON'S PARIS BEAUTY (retails its products through more than 500 distributors and channel partners, apart from 15,000 MBOs).
February 28, 2009... Groverson's Paris Beauty manufactures and markets various kinds of lingerie. The variants include Miss t for girls, Poems for ladies with an active lifestyle and Sparsh for women with larger breast sizes. Sunaina is another brand,...

BRANDS OF INDIA: GUILTY JEANS - CREATIVELINE INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE LTD (operates through two EBOs and 300 MBOs across India).
February 28, 2009... Creativeline International Private Ltd (CLIPL) is a Ludhiana based company. The company introduced the Guilty Jeans (GJ) brand in 2005. CLIPL retails apparel for men and women that include T- shirts, shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters and...

BRANDS OF INDIA: HARD CURRENCY - ARU ENTERPRISES (has a capacity to manufacture half-a-million units per annum).
February 28, 2009... Aru Enterprises was launched in 1995. It manufactures jeans and casuals for men. The company has a capacity to manufacture half-a- million units per annum, maintaining high quality. The company launches 50 new designs each month and...

MIFA TO SELL KEBA'S CONTROLS FOR INJECTION MOULDING MACHINES (in the Indian market).
February 28, 2009... Keba AG has entered into an agreement with Mifa Systems. Under the agreement, Mifa will sell Keba's range of controls for injection moulding machines in the Indian market. It will also provide technical support to customers.

SOLVAY STARTS 500 TPA PEEK PRODUCTION UNIT IN GUJARAT (to produce two ultra polymers with the best chemical resistance and mechanical properties).
February 28, 2009... Solvay of Belgium has set up a manufacturing facility at Panoli in Gujarat with a production capacity of 500 tonnes per annum (TPA). The unit will produce KetaSpire PEEK and AvaSpire modified PEEK, two ultra polymers with the best chemical...

SINTEX EYES GERMAN COMPOSITE MAKER (for acquisition).
February 28, 2009... Sintex Industries is looking at acquiring Geiger Technik of Germany, the composites manufacturing company, which has filed for bankruptcy. In July 2008, Sintex had already paid Euro 6.9 million to Geiger, which was then valued at Euro 35...

LANXESS INDIA SIGNS MoU WITH GUJARAT GOVERNMENT (and will invest Euro 50 million for a new plant at Jhagadia in Gujarat).
February 28, 2009... LANXESS India Private Ltd has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Government of Gujarat. Under the MoU, LANXESS will invest Euro 50 million for a new plant at Jhagadia in Gujarat. The Jhagadia plant will be the company's...

PETROCHEM HUB AT PANIPAT TO BOOST POLYMER-BASED INDUSTRY (in north India).
February 28, 2009... The petrochemicals industry in north India will receive a boost from the petrochemicals hub that is coming up at Panipat in Haryana. The Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation and the Indian Oil Corporation...

THE LINDE GROUP AND SAMSUNG ENGINEERING TO BUILD ETHYLENE PLANT (of OPaL).
February 28, 2009... ONGC Petro-additions Ltd (OPaL), a subsidiary of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, has awarded a Euro 1,030 billion order to the Linde group and its partner Samsung Engineering of Korea. Linde and Samsung will set up the turnkey ethylene...

Nanobiotech products may be slower than expected. (Indian government has owed a budget of Rs 1000 crore per year for nanotechnology).
February 28, 2009... The nanotechnology market is emerging in India and world and Indian government has owed a budget of Rs 1000 crore per year for nanotechnology. Around $3 billion is funded for nanotechnology globally and market for nanotech industry may...

Yashraj- Now looking for diagnostic kits manufacturing space. (It has launched 13 products in the market and 9 products are in R&D stage).
February 28, 2009... Yashraj Biotechnology Ltd (YBL) produces and supplies diagnostic antigens that are native, cell-derived and antibodies to kit manufacturers and distributors. Presently, the company is producing antigens of native human origin and the...

Sanofi Pastuer's Intanza recommended in the EU. ( CHMP has given its consent for the marketing approval of Intanza in the EU territory).
February 28, 2009... Sanofi Pastuer's first intradermal microinjection (ID) flu vaccine, Intanza or Idflu has got a green signal from Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of Europe. In the wake of this positive response, CHMP has given its...

Hikal 3Q net sales up by 53 percent. (pharmaceutical sales).
February 28, 2009... Hikal Ltd (Hikal) recorded net sales of RS 130.9 crore for the 3Q ended 31 Dec 2008 (+53 percent jump over RS 85.8 crore for 3Q ended 31 Dec 2007). Hikal posted crop protection sales of Rs 65.3 crore for 3Q 2008 (+67 percent rise over Rs 39.1...

Intas acquires Kolkata based company. (Dolphin Laboratories).
February 28, 2009... Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd (IPL) has reported the acquisition of the Kolkata, India based Dolphin Laboratories, which was declared sick and had been recommended by the Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) for rehabilitation.

Gujarat Biotechnology - the next big frontier. ( The Government has also announced its plans to provide special package incentives).
February 28, 2009... The biotechnology industry is showing a tremendous growth in the state of Gujarat, India. Currently, Gujarat comprises around 50 companies, which has reported total earnings of about $195 Million per year-$245 Million per year in biotech...

Budding biotech enterprises in Gujarat: Aumgene. ( Company is involved in the production, development and marketing of agribiotech, recombinant proteins and, industrial and speciality enzymes).
February 28, 2009... Aumgene Biosciences Pvt Ltd (Aumgene), Indian Biotech Company is involved in the production, development and marketing of agribiotech, recombinant proteins and, industrial and speciality enzymes. The company's DSIR approved research and...

Budding biotech enterprises in Gujarat: Maxeema. (Maxeema's products portfolio includes bio-pesticides and ayurvedic health care products).
February 28, 2009... Ahmedabad based biotech company, Maxeema Biotech is aan innovative company which develops and produces products in crop care and health care segments. Maxeema's products portfolio includes bio-pesticides and ayurvedic health care...

Budding biotech enterprises in Gujarat: StemCyte. (StemCyte has associated with Apollo Hospitals and Cadilla Pharmaceuticals to set up a JV company).
February 28, 2009... US based StemCyte has associated with Apollo Hospitals and Cadilla Pharmaceuticals to set up a joint venture company named StemCyte India Therapeutics. The company's umbilical cord blood based stem cell therapies rekindles hopes for the...

Wide presence of Gujarat biotech across all industry: Chiron. ( Chiron's rabies vaccine manufacturing facility in India conforms to World Health Organisation norms.
February 28, 2009... Chiron is a biopharmaceutical company involved in the production and development of blood testing assay and vaccines. Chiron's rabies vaccine manufacturing facility of Ankleshwar, Gujarat, India conforms to World Health Organisation norms....

YAMAHA KEEN ON INTRODUCING SCOOTERS IN INDIA (the company posted a growth of 192% in sales in Jan 2009 as compared to Jan 2008).
February 28, 2009... India Yamaha Motor (IYM) posted a growth of 192 percent in sales in Jan 2009 as compared to Jan 2008. Two bikes that it had introduced in India - YZF-R15 in Jun 2008 and FZ-16 in Oct 2008 - boosted the company's sales. FZ-16 accounted for...

REVA TO LAUNCH LITHIUM-ION OPTION (in May 2009).
February 28, 2009... Reva Electric Car Company (RECC) is planning to launch a lithium- ion battery powered car named Reva L-ion in May 2009. The car is expected to give a range of 120 kilometres on a single charge. The new battery will also allow car owners to...

GM WORKING ON BIO-DIESEL OPTIONS, LAUNCHES SPARK MUZIC (Spark Muzic is priced at Rs3.27 lakh).
February 28, 2009... General Motors India (GMI) is planning to launch bio-diesel vehicles in India in the future. The company is testing some vehicles as well. However, its immediate priority is to offer fuel-efficient alternatives like compressed natural gas...

LAKSHMI PRECISION SCREWS TO VENTURE INTO ARMATURE SHAFT BUSINESS (for two-wheelers and passenger cars).
February 28, 2009... Lakshmi Precision Screws (LPS) of Rohtak is a manufacturer of fasteners for automotive and industrial applications. The company is now planning to venture into manufacture of armature shafts for two-wheelers and passenger cars.

TCIL TO ADD WAREHOUSES IN CHAKAN, GURGAON (the Chakan warehouse will have a height 15 metres making it the tallest warehouse in the country).
February 28, 2009... Transport Corporation of India Ltd (TCIL) is planning to set up warehouses in Chakan and Gurgaon. The Chakan warehouse will have a height of 15 metres making it the tallest warehouse in the country. The warehouse will have a capacity of...

TWO-WHEELER PRODUCTION SEES AN UPTURN IN JANUARY (production of scooters grew by 6.85% and production of motorcycles increased by 3.55%).
February 28, 2009... In Jan 2009, production of scooters grew by 6.85 percent and production of motorcycles increased by 3.55 percent, while overall automobile production fell by 11.92 percent. During Apr 2008-Jan 2009, sales of mopeds increased by 3.36 percent,...

CRRI UNDERTAKES KEY PROJECTS (under the 11th five-year plan).
February 28, 2009... Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) has undertaken two important projects under the 11th five-year plan (2007-2012) - on road maintenance and performance, and on the inventory of National Highways across India. The Planning Commission...

FLEET MODERNISATION (Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland bag massive DTC orders).
February 28, 2009... The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has awarded massive orders to Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland for its fleet modernisation. While Tata Motors has received a Rs2,200-crore order for the supply of 1,625 buses with maintenance for 12 years,...

TATA MARCOPOLO'S DHARWAD PLANT STARTS COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION (under the Starbus and Globus brands).
February 28, 2009... Tata Marcopolo Motors, a 51:49 joint venture between Tata Motors and Marcopolo of Brazil, has commenced commercial production at its plant at Dharwad. The plant will manufacture buses under the Starbus and Globus brands. While the plant will...

BIG HONDURAS ARMED FORCES ORDER FOR AL VEHICLES (worth $10.5 million).
February 28, 2009... The Honduras Armed Forces has awarded a $10.5-million contract for the supply of 139 vehicles to Ashok Leyland (AL). AL will supply 4X4 Stallion trucks, 4X4 Topchi trucks and 4930 Tractor and Falcon long buses.

ALLISON TRANSMISSION TO SET UP MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN INDIA (that will be operational by 2010).
February 28, 2009... Allison Transmission Inc of US will establish a manufacturing unit for transmission components at Orgadam near Chennai. The new plant will cover 2,03,000 square feet and will be operational by 2010. The plant will house executive, marketing...

ASHOK LEYLAND REVENUE, PROFIT DIP (in Oct-Dec 2008).
February 28, 2009... Ashok Leyland has recorded a decline of 44 percent in revenue from Rs18,000.83 million in Oct-Dec 2007 to Rs10,008.48 million in Oct-Dec 2008. Net profit declined from Rs1,202.17 million in Oct-Dec 2007 to Rs188.68 million in Oct-Dec 2008....

STFC REVENUES AND PROFIT SOAR (in Oct-Dec 2008).
February 28, 2009... Shriram Transport Finance Company Ltd (STFC) has posted a growth of 48.22 percent in revenues from Rs656.36 crore in Oct-Dec 2007 to Rs972.85 crore in Oct-Dec 2008. Profit increased by 34.88 percent from Rs110.7 crore in Oct-Dec 2007 to...

TEMSA PLANNING TO ENTER INDIAN BUS MARKET (by 2010).
February 28, 2009... Temsa of Turkey plans to foray into the Indian bus market by 2010. It is in the process of conducting a feasibility study to understand the Indian bus market. Temsa is also considering a joint venture with an Indian company for which the...

TAKATA JOUNT VENTURE WITH ANAND AUTOMOTIVE (to manufacture airbags, seatbelts and steering wheels for Indian original equipment manufacturers).
February 28, 2009... The Takata Corporation has formed a joint venture (JV), Takata India Private Ltd, with Anand Automotive Systems in which Takata Corporation will be the major stake holder. The JV will manufacture airbags, seatbelts and steering wheels for...

BITZER SETTING UP MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN INDIA (with an investment of four to five million Euro).
February 28, 2009... Bitzer of Germany, world's largest manufacturer of refrigerant compressors, is establishing a manufacturing facility near Mumbai with an investment of four to five million Euro. The unit will meet the requirements of the transportation and...

KENDRION LINNIG PLANNING INDIAN SUBSIDIARY (and will also set up a manufacturing unit at a later stage).
February 28, 2009... Kendrion LINNIG Gmbh of Germany, a component manufacturer, plans to establish an Indian subsidiary as the Indian market is set to expand with the entry of global original equipment manufacturers. It will also set up a manufacturing unit at a...

GORBA-INTEGRA JOINT VENTURE FOR PASSENGER INFORMATION SYSTEMS (commences production in Dec 2008).
February 28, 2009... Gorba AG of Switzerland and Integra Hindustan Control Ltd have formed a 51:49 joint venture (JV) to manufacture passenger information system products for the bus and Metro rail markets in India. The JV commenced production in Dec 2008....

CASTMASTER MOBITEC TO COMMENCE PRODUCTION SOON (ties up with local suppliers for components).
February 28, 2009... Castmaster Mobitec India Pvt Ltd, a 51:49 joint venture (JV) between Mobitec and Castmaster, is establishing a manufacturing facility in India. The facility will be operational in Jul-Sep 2009. The JV has tied up with local suppliers for...

RESPONSIVE INDUSTRIES DOMINATES INDIAN BUS FLOORING BUSINESS (with a market share of 80%).
February 28, 2009... Responsive Industries Ltd is a Rs1,000-crore company specialising in vinyl flooring used in buses, rail and the hospital and healthcare sector. It dominates Indian bus flooring business with a market share of 80 percent. The bus segment...

JK TYRE'S BIG EXPORT DRIVE (to expand its global operations).
February 28, 2009... JK Tyre & Industries Ltd, the Rs3,600-crore company of the JK group, plans to expand its global operations by increasing exports. It is already exporting to over 70 countries in South America, Australia, South East Asia, Middle East,...

FOUNDATION LAID FOR CEAT'S RADIAL TYRE PLANT AT HALOL (near Baroda).
February 28, 2009... The Chief Minister, Government of Gujarat, laid the foundation stone for Ceat Ltd's Rs700-crore radial tyre plant at Halol near Baroda. The plant is likely to produce four million tyres in the first phase with the first roll out of tyre...

CUMMINS INDIA SALES UP 27% (to Rs7,495.2 million for Oct-Dec 2008).
February 28, 2009... Cummins India Ltd recorded a growth of 27 percent in sales from Rs5,902.3 million for Oct-Dec 2007 to Rs7,495.2 million for Oct- Dec 2008. Its profit before tax also increased from Rs1,049.4 million for Oct-Dec 2007 to Rs1,828.7 million...

WABCO-TVS (INDIA) SALES, PROFIT DIP (for Oct-Dec 2008).
February 28, 2009... Wabco-TVS (India) Ltd recorded a decline of 46 percent in sales to Rs7,726 lakh for Oct-Dec 2008 as compared to Oct-Dec 2007. Its net profit before tax fell by 93 percent to Rs170 lakh for Oct- Dec 2008 as compared to Oct-Dec 2007. The...

BREMBO'S NEW PUNE PLANT INAUGURATED (on 20 Jan 2009).
February 28, 2009... Brembo, which has a 100 percent stake in KBX Motorbike Products Private Ltd, inaugurated its new plant at Pune on 20 Jan 2009. KBX will soon change its name to Brembo Brake India. The new unit will manufacture a range of disc braking systems...

UNIVERSAL BRAKES TO TIE UP WITH IRUNA OF SPAIN (to sell Iruna's brake system components in India to original equipment manufacturers).
February 28, 2009... Universal Brakes Private Ltd plans to form an alliance with Frenos Iruna Brakes of Spain to sell Iruna's brake system components in India to original equipment manufacturers. Universal and Iruna are jointly conducting a market survey to find...

SHIN-ETSU ORAGADAM PLANT GOES ON STREAM (with an investment of $15 million).
February 28, 2009... Shin-Etsu Polymer Co Ltd of Japan has set up a manufacturing plant at Oragadam near Chennai with an investment of $15 million. The company supplies refined plastics to auto component majors. While the automotive segment accounts for 30...

TCS NAMED TECHNOLOGY PARTNER OF DUCATI MOTOR HOLDING (of Italy).
February 28, 2009... Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has entered into a multi-million- dollar, multi-year agreement with Ducati Motor Holding Spa of Italy. Under the agreement, TCS, as the technology partner of Ducati, will provide technology-based services...

GROWTH IN AGRICULTUIRE AND PROCESSED FOOD EXPORTS FORECAST (for 2009-2010).
February 28, 2009... The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority has forecast a growth in agricultural and processed food products for 2009-2010, despite the ongoing recession. Exports are expected to grow based on higher demand from...

IIM-A TO INTRODUCE COURSE ON FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT (to benefit people in agriculture and processed food industry).
February 28, 2009... The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A), is introducing a new course for executives on Food Supply Chain Management in Feb 2009. The course will discuss the capitalization of the supply chain management system so that it...

FDA TAKES STEPS TO ENSURE SMOOTH FLOW OF TRADE (by opening two offices in India).
February 28, 2009... In a bid to ensure safety and quality of food products shipped to the US, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has decided to post 10 experienced officials in India. This will ensure smooth flow of trade and it opened two offices in...

MCCIA STARTS CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY (to provide help on legal issues, training, business development and more).
February 28, 2009... The Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA) have launched a consultancy service for the food processing industry at the National Agriculture and Food Analysis and Research Institute. The consultancy will provide help...

DABUR ALL SET FOR A HEALTH SPREE FOR ITS CONSUMERS (plans to launch milk-based drinks and fruit-based beverages and low calorie snacks).
February 28, 2009... Dabur India is poised to become a serious fast moving consumer goods player with emphasis on healthy food and drinks. It plans to launch milk-based drinks that are priced between Rs15-20 and fruit-based beverages priced at Rs10. It is also...

ESTABLISHMENT OF IGPB TO BOOST GROWTH OF GRAPE PROCESSING SECTOR (with an investment of Rs5.93 crore).
February 28, 2009... The Government of India has given its approval for the establishment of the Indian Grape Processing Board (IGPB) at Pune in Maharashtra. It has allocated a total of Rs5.93 crore for the establishment of the IGPB, which will be an autonomous...

PUNJAB IS COUNTRY'S LARGEST EXPORTER OF FRESH BABY CORN (and Bharti Del Monte India Private Ltd is the largest exporter of fresh baby corn in India).
February 28, 2009... Punjab is India's largest exporter of fresh baby corn and Bharti Del Monte India Private Ltd is the largest exporter of fresh baby corn in India. The company is a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and DMPL India Ltd.

POTATO EXPORTS TO PAKISTAN ON THE RISE (in 2008-2009).
February 28, 2009... Export of potatoes to Pakistan has increased in recent years. While only 10-12 trucks carrying potatoes crossed the border every day in 2007-2008, about 90 trucks of 15 tonnes each were crossing the border everyday in 2008-2009.

BARAMATI'S POMEGRANATE PROCESSING RECEIVES A BOOST (as FreshAcres Agri India Private Ltd sets up a pomegranate processing centre near Baramati).
February 28, 2009... FreshAcres Agri India Pvt Ltd, a major exporter of pomegranates has set up a pomegranate processing centre near Baramati with an investment of Rs9.5 crore. The company is a joint venture between NatureFresh Logistics India and Fruit World...

INDIA'S RICE EXPORT THRIVES AMID RESTRICTIONS (29 lakh tonnes of rice exported to global markets in Jan-Sep 2008).
February 28, 2009... India exported 29 lakh tonnes of rice to global markets in Jan- Sep 2008. The country exported 19 lakh tonnes of non-basmati rice and 10 lakh tones of Basmati rice during Jan-Sep 2008 despite restrictions in order to control domestic rice...

RELIANCE EXITS CASH & CARRY BIZ (owing to poor market conditions).
February 28, 2009... Reliance Retail has decided to exit from its cash & carry business or wholesale trading plans, owing to poor market conditions. It is keen on preserving cash and does not wish to be involved in new businesses where the firm is on its own....

DUNLOP SHUTS DOWN PLANT (cites shortage of working capital among reasons for shutting down the plant).
February 28, 2009... Dunlop India Limited has indefinitely suspended production at its Sahaganj plant in Hoogly district of West Bengal. Shortage of working capital coupled with global recession and declining demand for commercial vehicle tyres are cited as...

CONTINENTAL RETURNS TO INDIA (invests $61 million to resume production in India).
February 28, 2009... Continental Tyres of Germany is looking to become original equipment (OE) supplier through its joint venture with the Modi Group. Continental has revived its technical and branding joint venture with Modi Tyre Company and has invested $61...

TYRE IMPORTS FROM CHINA MAY INCREASE TO 82% (tyre imports may touch 15,30,000 tyres by the end of 2009- 2010).
February 28, 2009... Tyre imports from China are expected to touch 15,30,000 tyres by the end of 2009-2010 from 15,600 tyres imported in 2001-2002. Thus the share in total imports will go up to 82 percent in 2009- 2010 from 29 percent in 2001-2002. The...

APOLLO PLANT UNDER LOCK-OUT (workers not cooperating in improving productivity and reducing costs).
February 28, 2009... The Kalamasserry unit of Apollo Tyres in Kerala has been placed under lockout. The management has alleged that workers are not cooperating in improving productivity and reducing costs during the current economic slowdown. Apollo said that on...

WORK BEGINS ON CEAT'S GREENFIELD RADIAL PLANT (CEAT setting up plant at Halol in Gujarat with capacity of 500 tonnes per day).
February 28, 2009... CEAT Ltd is setting up a greenfield radial tyre plant at Halol in Gujarat with an investment of $147 million. The plant will produce passenger, light and medium truck tyres. The production capacity will be 500 tonnes a day. About 40...

YOKOHAMA EYES NICHE TYRE MARKET IN INDIA (hopes to sell 2,000 tyres a day in the niche replacement market in India).
February 28, 2009... Yokohama India Pvt Ltd hopes to sell 2,000 tyres a day in the niche replacement market in India. The company currently markets 10,000 passenger vehicle tyres a month in the replacement market. Yokohama proposes to double the retail outlets...

SUNDARAM IND SETS JV WITH BRIDGESTONE (the joint venture to manufacture anti-vibration rubber components for automobiles).
February 28, 2009... Sundaram Industries Ltd has formed a joint venture with Bridgestone Corporation of Japan to manufacture anti-vibration rubber components for automobiles. Bridgestone TVS India Ltd is the joint venture. Bridgestone owns 51 percent in the...