BCCL subscribes to warrants of Himalya International

NEW DELHI: Bennett, Coleman & Company (BCCL) has subscribed to share warrants in Himalya International (HIL), a leading FMCG company in frozen foods and nutrition. Currently HIL has 12,000 shareholders and over 800 employees. Despite the recession in the US, HIL has clocked a 34% growth in EBITDA at Rs 201.92 million for 2008-09. The company plans to open another Rs 130-crore food processing facility in Gujarat in the current fiscal year and a new green field project for 15,000 TPA mushrooms. HIL is an ISO 9001:2000, HACCP & Kosher certified company.

Says Man Mohan Malik, chairman and CEO, HIL, ���Rooted in India, the next obvious step for the company was to launch the range in the burgeoning Indian market. It is a critical point in the growth chart of the company and a partnership with BCCL is a strategic decision to ensure it takes off well.���

The company has recently launched their product line in the Indian market under the brand name Himalya Fresh. They have entered into various global strategic alliances for technology and marketing. In India the company has inked tie-ups with retail giants Reliance Fresh, Bharti Wal-Mart, More, AV Birla Group and Metro Cash & Carry. The products would be available at Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad shortly.

The company���s product range includes mushrooms, breaded appetizers, cheese, yogurts and baby potatoes. The company has also entered food supplements and neutraceuticals business and is shortly launching its brand Daily1 for specialty nutritional supplements. The range includes multi nutrients for men, women & children, for vegetarians, as well as heart supplements and some specialty women related products.