Cornitos projected turnover is 45 + Cr for financial year 2016-17: Vikram Agarwal
Cornitos projected turnover is 45 + Cr for financial year 2016-17: Vikram Agarwal

Nachos and tortilla chips are relatively unknown product categories in the Indian snack market. Greendot Health Foods has pioneered the category by launching their flagship brand ‘Cornitos’. As of now the brand is retailed via 30,000 retailers spread across 300 cities.  In an exclusive conversation with Vikram Agarwal, Director of Greendot Health Foods Limited, Cornitos shed light on strategies the expand the brand further.

Kindly shed the light on journey of your brand so far? Also highlight current size of FMCG in India? What would the share of Greendot Health Foods in overall market?

Journey has been good with our flagship brand, Cornitos with sales increasing annually. Cornitos not only commands a sizeable share in the Nacho Crisps market but has also kept pace with the evolved taste of healthy India. Initially Nacho Crisps was launched in Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata. Over the years, it has expanded to Tier-II and Tier-III towns.

Indian Snack Market according to Nielsen report is around 47,000 crores in 2013. Cornitos is one of the leading Nachos brand in the Indian snack market with a growth rate of 30% annually. The brand now commands more than 70% market share in Nacho Crisps Category in India. The company has 10 exotic flavours of Nachos which suits the Indian palate very well.

Throw light on product range? How your offerings are different from other brands? Also highlight the market positioning of your range? Also highlight your strategy to increase the product port-folio?

Cornitos Brand Portfolio includes Nacho Crisps, Taco Shells, Specialty Sauces, Roasted Nuts - Cashews & Almonds, Coated Green Peas and Pickles - Jalapeno Peppers & Gherkins. We are soon going to launch exciting new flavor – Cheesy Sour Cream and Onion by April end.

Throw light on distribution including dealership network and presence in modern retail chain? What are your strategies to improve the distribution network? Any plans to have exclusive store?

With a pan-India presence, our nachos major are available across 300 cities with over 30,000 retailers. Presence in modern retail chain includes Spencer’s, EasyDay, More, HyperCity, Big Bazaar, Nilgiris, Le Marche to name a few. Cornitos is one of the few brands exported not only to the US but also Australia, China, Singapore, the UAE and South East Asia.

There is continuous drive to improve the distribution network in Tier-II and Tier-III towns. As Cornitos product range is expanding there might be a possibility of an exclusive store in near future.

Throw light on your R&D unit and manufacturing facility?

Cornitos pays umpteen heed to its quality check and follows stringent quality and safety guidelines. The product is continuously tested by the in-house lab for identification of any impurities as per FSSAI guidelines. The manufacturing plant has metal detectors in the processing line which helps to detect ferrous and non-ferrous metal impurities.

The production facility at Roorkee, Haridwar district, Uttarakhand, is equipped with state-of-the-art processing machinery and is manned by a team committed to quality. It has hygienic manufacturing environment right from lime treatment of corn to packaging of Nachos. The whole production line is automatic controlled by latest computerized machines. Handpicked premium qualities nuts or roasted cashews and roasted almonds are processed through imported roasting lines to ensure uniform roast. 

The unit is ISO-22000, HACCP and Halal certified company. It also has registrations from FSSAI and US FDA. Cornitos R & D team’s main objective is to provide quality product at affordable pricing thus creating a benchmark in snack industry. New product development is done according to latest global culinary trends.

What is your projected turnover for current financial year?

Cornitos projected turnover is 45 + Cr for financial year 2016-17.

At last, kindly mention your growth plans?

The consumers seek fresh, no preservatives added, natural and minimally processed foods that help prevent diseases and promote good health. Taking care of these factors Cornitos products are Non GMO, Zero Transfat, Zero Cholesterol and High in protein with nature identical seasoning. Further this year our Product Development Team is working on New Healthy Products which shall be launched in 2017 mid. We are planning to add new flavours in Nacho Crisps Range, expand Taco Shell range, and add premium roasted seeds in Cornitos Pop N Crunch range along with Multi-grain Snacks.

 

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