Maggi's going rock solid...
Maggi's going rock solid...

Nestle announced to come up with its first R and D Centre in India, in Manesar, Gurgaon. On the sidelines of the event, Retailer spoke to Antonio Helio Waszyk, Chairman and MD, Nestle India about the competition and the new facility.

 

Retailer: What’s the main objective to set up this R&D facility in India?

AHW: Nestle's decision to establish an R& D centre in India will be an additional competitive advantage in the future as it will help us to accelerate the company's growth and contribute towards reducing nutritional deficiencies in India.

 

Retailer: With new entrants in noodles section from ITC and HUL, don’t you think that Maggi is in for a threat?

AHW: We are setting up a manufacturing facility in Karnataka with an investment of Rs 350 crore for Maggi noodles that should be operational by next year. We are doing that because the demand for Maggi is ever increasing and we need to have more capacity. Maybe, we will set up another manufacturing facility and would make an announcement in a couple of months. We are not worried in India. The noodle industry in India is like a big cake, everybody wants a slice of it. But we are not looking for the slice part; we are here to have the major chunk.

 

Retailer: Nescafe roped in Deepika Padukone as its brand Ambassador. How important it is for Nestle to have a star presence in their campaigns?

AHW: I am in India and I am a Brazilian by nationality. Both Indian and Brazilians are very emotional people. It is not about spending a huge amount of money here, but what matter is, if you could touch them emotionally through your approach. It is about creating a brand and engaging with your consumers. If emotionally you can get to the audiences, you will surely get through. So, in that sense, star presence is important. Even our approach on Facebook was a huge success with 30,000 people joining the group in a matter of time.

 

Retailer: Would you be opening any dedicated retail outlet in the country to sell nestle products?

AHW: Retail is not what we do. That is not our forte. Hence, we will not be opening the retail outlet.

 

Retailer: What kind of research you do before coming out with a product in a metro and in a rural area?

AHW: Urban and rural markets have specific needs and requirements. We take care of that. Look at Éclairs; it is the first taste of indulgence for the rural population. We made rice noodles keeping in mind the rural audience. But we have also introduced Pasta as our new product

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