Diageo's India business centre could serve 70 global markets

BENGALURU: Liquor giant Diageo’s business services centre in India could become one of its largest technology and analytics units by 2020, its chief executive, Ivan Menezes, has said.

Diageo launched its first business services centre in India in Bengaluru on Tuesday. The world’s largest spirits maker operates similar centres in Manila, Nairobi, Budapest and Bogota.

"In the next three years, it is likely to become one of Diageo's biggest business centres supporting Diageo's customers, suppliers and employees, providing services to 70 global markets for Diageo," said Menezes, who was in the country to launch the centre.

India is the second largest market for Diageo, the producer of Johnnie Walker whisky and Smirnoff vodka. About three years ago, it had acquired a controlling stake in United Spirits, which holds 35 per cent market share in India with a large portfolio of brands that straddle price points in the whisky category.

Diageo said it is looking to hire over 1,000 people for the new centre over the next few years.