With its new local presence, Givaudan will investigate flavour profiles preferred by Indians, such as mango, dairy and Indian spices and cooking cues.
The Mumbai Flavour Innovation Centre represents an investment of over CHF3.7m (US$3.9), which was made to meet rising customer demand for the company’s technical services across the subcontinent. Givaudan also has plans for a flavours manufacturing site in nearby Pune.
Mauricio Graber, president of the company’s flavour division, said at the opening: “Growth in developing markets is one of our strategic pillars and we aim to increase our total sales in these markets to 50% by 2015 across all categories.
“We will achieve this growth by investing in high-growth markets like India, through superior local talent, capabilities and consumer understanding, together with world-class infrastructure.
“The expansion of our Mumbai Flavour Innovation Centre enables us to offer sensory science, flavour science and foodservice expertise directly from India for the first time. Together with our in-depth understanding of the local Indian market, we are able to offer closer collaboration with our customers, creating true consumer-preferred taste experiences to differentiate their products in the marketplace.”
India is one of over 40 countries in which Givaudan has a presence. In 2012, the company grew its business in developing markets by 13.2% in local currencies; it aims to increase its total sales in these markets to 50% by 2015 across all categories.
In 2013, further investments will be completed in Asia Pacific with the expansion of new spray drying capabilities in Indonesia and the ground-breaking of a new savoury facility in China.