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Britannia Industries

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Britannia
FormerlyBritannia Biscuit Company Limited
Company typePublic
BSE: 500825
NSE: BRITANNIA
NSE NIFTY 50 constituent
ISININE216A01030
IndustryFood processing
Founded1892; 132 years ago (1892) in Calcutta
1918; 106 years ago (1918) as Britannia Biscuit Company Limited
Headquarters
Hungerford Street, Kolkata, India
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
  • Nusli Wadia (Chairman)
  • Varun Berry (Executive Vice-Chairman & MD)
  • Rajneet Kohli (CEO)
  • N Venkataraman (Executive Director & CFO)
Products
RevenueIncrease ₹16,301 crore (US$2.0 billion) (FY23)[1]
Increase ₹2,605 crore (US$310 million) (FY23)[1]
Increase ₹2,322 crore (US$280 million) (FY23)[1]
Number of employees
4,480 (2019)
ParentWadia Group
Subsidiaries
  • Manna Foods Private Limited
  • International Bakery Products Limited
WebsiteBritannia
Footnotes / references
[2][3]

Britannia Industries Limited is an Indian multinational food products company, which sells biscuits, breads and dairy products. Founded in 1892, it is one of India's oldest existing companies and currently part of the Wadia Group headed by Nusli Wadia.[2] As of 2023, about 80% of its revenues came from biscuit products.[4]

Beginning with the circumstances of its takeover by the Wadia Group in the early 1990s, the company has been mired in several controversies connected to its management,[5][6] but it continues to hold a large market share.[6][7]

History

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The company was established in 1892 by a group of British businessmen with an initial investment of ₹295.[8] Initially, biscuits were manufactured in a small house in central Kolkata. Later, the enterprise was acquired by the Gupta brothers, mainly Nalin Chandra Gupta, an attorney, and operated under the name, V.S. Brothers. In 1918, C.H. Holmes, an English businessman based in Kolkata, was taken on as a partner and The Britannia Biscuit Company Limited (BBCo) was launched. The Mumbai factory was set up in 1924 and Peek Freans acquired a controlling interest in BBCo. During the World War II, the government of British India needed a continuous supply of biscuits for British soldiers. The Britannia Biscuit Company started supplying biscuits to British Army for several years, and the company sometimes devoted 95% of its capacity to produce biscuits for the armed forces. Biscuits were in high demand during World War II, which gave a boost to the company's sales. The company name was changed to the current Britannia Industries Limited in 1979. In 1982, the American company Nabisco acquired the parent of Peek Freans and became a major foreign shareholder. In 1978, Britannia came out with its public issue, and its Indian shareholding had increased to 62%, which firmly established Britannia as an Indian company. The 38% foreign stake was owned by the UK-based Associated Biscuits International Limited (ABIL).[9][6]

Britannia logo until 2018

In 1993, textile tycoon Nusli Wadia of Bombay Dyeing took control of the company from Britannia's then-chairman Rajan Pillai, with the help of French food giant Danone. In 2009, Wadia Group became the largest shareholder in BIL after acquiring a 25% stake owned by Group Danone.[5][10]

In December 2018, it launched a new category, Treat Crème Wafers.[11][12]

Britannia acquired a controlling stake in Kenya's Kenafric Biscuits in October 2022.[13] In September 2022, Varun Berry was appointed as Executive Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of Britannia Industries Limited, and Ranjeet Kohli was also appointed as Executive Director and CEO.[14][15]

In December 2022, Britannia Industries entered into a joint venture agreement with Bel SA of France and Britannia Dairy Private Limited (BDPL) to develop, manufacture and sell cheese products in India and other markets. Under the joint venture, Bel SA acquired a 49% stake in BDPL, a subsidiary of Britannia Industries, for ₹262 crore and infused an additional ₹215 crore in the joint venture.[16]

In August 2022, the company expanded its product portfolio by entering the western snacking market with the launch of its new product, Treat Croissant.[17]

Businesses

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The company's principal activity is the manufacture and sale of biscuits, bread, rusk, cakes and dairy products.

Biscuits

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As of 2023, about 80% of Britannia's annual revenue comes from biscuits.[4] Britannia has an estimated market share of 33% in the organised biscuits market in India.[4]

The company's factories have an annual capacity of 433,000 tonnes.[18] The brand names of Britannia's biscuits include MarieGold, Tiger, Nutrichoice, Good Day, 50 50, Treat, Pure Magic, Milk Bikis, Bourbon, Nice Time and Little Hearts among others.[18]

In 2006, Tiger, the mass market brand, realised $150.75 million in sales, including exports to the U.S. and Australia. This amounts to 20% of Britannia's revenue for that year.[citation needed]

Dairy products

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Dairy products contribute close to 10% to Britannia's revenue.[19] The company not only markets dairy products to the public but also trades dairy commodities business-to-business. Its dairy portfolio grew to 47% in 2000-01 and by 30% in 2001-02. Its main competitors are Nestlé India, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), and Amul (GCMMF).[20]

Britannia holds an equity stake in Dynamix Dairy and outsources the bulk of its dairy products from its associate.

On 27 October 2001, Britannia announced a joint venture with Fonterra Co-operative Group of New Zealand, an integrated dairy company which handles all aspects of the value chain from procurement of milk to making value-added products such as cheese and buttermilk.[20] Britannia intends to source most of the products from New Zealand, which they would market in India.[19] The joint venture will allow technology transfer to Britannia.[20] Britannia and the New Zealand Dairy each hold 49% of the JV, and the remaining 2 percent will be held by a strategic investor. Britannia has also tentatively announced that its dairy business (probably including Dynamix) would be transferred to the joint venture.[20] However, the authorities' approval to the joint venture obliged the company to start manufacturing facilities of its own. It would not be allowed to trade, except at the wholesale level, thus pitching it in competition with Danone, which had recently established its own dairy business.[20]

Disputes and controversies

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Wadia and Rajan Pillai

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Kerala businessman Rajan Pillai secured control of the group in the late 1980s, becoming known in India as the 'Biscuit Raja'.[21] In 1993, the Wadia Group acquired a stake in Associated Biscuits International (ABIL), and became an equal partner with Danone in Britannia Industries Limited.

In what The Economic Times referred to as one of [India's] most dramatic corporate sagas,[22] Pillai ceded control to Wadia and Danone after a bitter boardroom struggle,[23] then fled his Singapore base to India in 1995 after accusations of defrauding Britannia, and died the same year in Tihar Jail.[citation needed]

Wadia and Danone

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The Wadias' Kalabakan Investments and Group Danone had two equal joint venture companies, Wadia BSN and United Kingdom registered Associated Biscuits International Holdings Ltd., which together held a 51 percent stake in Britannia.[24] The ABIH tranche was acquired in 1992, while the controlling stake held by Wadia BSN was acquired in 1995. It was agreed that, in case of a deadlock between the partners, Danone was obliged to buy the Wadia BSN stake at a "fair market value". ABIH had a separate agreement signed in 1992 and was subject to British law.[24][25]

Wadia was to be Danone's partner in the food and dairy business, and product launches from Groupe Danone's were expected but never materialised despite the JV being in existence for over 11 years in India.[24] Under the 1995 joint venture agreement, Danone is prohibited from launching food brands within India without the consent of the Wadias.[26] In addition, the partners agreed there would be the right of first refusal to buy out the remaining partner in the event of the other wishing to sell its holding.[27]

In June 2006, Wadia claimed Danone had used the Tiger brand to launch biscuits in Bangalore.[27] In May 2007, Nusli Wadia told the Ministry of Commerce and Industry that Danone invested in a Bangalore-based bio nutrition company, Avesthagen, in October 2006 in violation of the government's Press Note 1, 2005, which requires a foreign company to obtain the consent of its Indian joint venture partner before pursuing an independent business in a similar area, including joint ventures based purely on technical collaboration. Danone argued that Press Note 1 did not apply to it as it did not have a formal technology transfer or trademark agreement with Avesthagen, and that its 25% holding in Britannia was indirect.[28] Wadia also filed a case in the Bombay High Court for a breach of a non-competition clause in that connection. The court ordered Danone not to alienate, encumber or sell shares of Avesthagen.[29]

In September 2007, the Foreign Investment Promotion Board of India rejected Danone's claims that it did not need a non-compete waiver from the Wadias to enter into business in India alone.[30]

After a prolonged legal battle, Danone agreed to sell its 25.48% stake in Britannia to Leila Lands, which is a Wadia group entity based in Mauritius, and quit this line of business. The deal was valued at $175–200 million. With this buy-out, Wadia holds a majority stake of 50.96%.[31]

Intellectual property dispute

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In a separate dispute from the shareholder matters, the company alleged in 2006 that Danone had violated its intellectual property rights in the Tiger brand by registering and using Tiger in several countries without its consent. Britannia claimed the company found out that Danone had launched the Tiger brand in Indonesia in 1998, and later in Malaysia, Singapore, Pakistan and Egypt, when it attempted to register the Tiger trademark in some of these countries in 2004.[32] Whilst it was initially reported in December 2006 that agreement had been reached,[33] it was reported in September 2007 that a solution remained elusive.[32] In the meantime since Danone's biscuit business has been taken over by Kraft, the Tiger brand of biscuits in Malaysia was renamed Kraft Tiger Biscuits in September 2008.

Britannia initiated legal action against Danone in Singapore in September 2007.[34] The dispute was resolved in 2009 with Britannia securing rights to the Tiger brand worldwide, and Danone paying ₹220 million to utilise the brand.[35]

Partnerships

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In March 2017, it formed a joint venture with Greek firm Chipita SA for producing and selling ready-to-eat croissants in India.[36] In September 2021, the company partnered with Accenture to digitize the company's manufacturing units and warehouses.[37] During the COVID-19 pandemic in India, it tied up with personal concierge startup Dunzo to deliver essential goods at the customer's doorstep in April 2020.[38]

Philanthropy

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It runs a non-profit Britannia Nutrition Foundation that advocates better child nutrition and addresses child malnutrition issues in India.[39]

Awards and recognition

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  • In 2022, the company was ranked 4th in the list of India's most chosen FMCG brands, as per Kantar India's annual Brand Footprint report.[40]
  • Britannia won the Global Sustainability Leadership Awards by the World Sustainability Congress in 2021.[41]
  • The Economic Times listed the company's Good Day biscuit brand as the Brand Equity’s Most Trusted Brands of Indians in 2019-20.[42]
  • The company was selected for special recognition under the Leading RE Investor category at Renewable Energy India Awards 2016.[43]
  • In 2014, the company was voted as Reader's Digest Trusted Brand in India under the food and beverage category, part of the Reader's Digest Trusted Brand Survey.[44]
  • In 2014, The Economic Times ranked the company at 11 in the 100 Most Trusted Brands of India list 2014.[45]
  • The company was listed in India's Most Attractive Brands 2013 in a TRA Brand Trust Report survey.[46]
  • It was awarded the Global Performance Excellence Award (GPEA) by Asia Pacific Quality Organization (APQO) in June 2012.[47]
  • It was ranked #2 in the Brand Equity's Most Trusted Brands survey by The Economic Times.[48]
  • In 2012, Britannia received the Golden Peacock National Quality Award – 2012 under the FMCG category.[49]
  • In 2011, Britannia won the Indian Merchants' Chamber (IMC)'s Ramkrishna Bajaj National Quality Award.[50][51]
  • In 2011, the company received the CII's National Award for Food Safety 2011 in the category of 'Large Food Businesses - Manufacturing' by the Confederation of Indian Industry.[52]
  • According to The Economic Times' Brand Equity Survey, the brand was ranked 5th in the top 10 most trusted brands list in India in 2010 and 2nd in 2012[53] in India's top 10 most trusted brands list.[54]
  • Britannia is one of India's 100 Most Trusted brands listed in The Brand Trust Report.[55]

Sponsorship

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Sreedhar, Vidya (6 May 2023). "Britannia Q4 Results: Cons PAT surges 47% YoY to Rs 559 crore, sales up 13%". The Economic Times. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Britannia Industries Ltd". Reuters. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Annual Report 2016-17" (PDF). Britannia Industries Limited. 30 October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  4. ^ a b c "A freshly baked strategy: Behind Britannia Industries' plan to pivot from biscuits to a food player". Business Today. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  5. ^ a b Kant, Krishna (1 April 2014). "Britannia boost for Wadia's slow-moving empire". Business Standard.
  6. ^ a b c Susan Pinto, Viveat (30 October 2014). "40 years ago... and now: Britannia has crowned many as 'biscuit king'..." Business Standard.
  7. ^ Yadav, Navdeep (2 July 2020). "Here's how Britannia is eating into ParleG's market share for five years now⁠— and now wants more of it". Business Insider.
  8. ^ Company Overview Britannia Industries
  9. ^ Balasubramanyam, K.R. (10 July 2011). "Britannia has risen from a Rs 295 start-up to a Rs 4,000-cr leader". Business Today.
  10. ^ Khanna, Sundeep (30 March 2021). "Rajan Pillai and the battle for Britannia". CNBC TV18.
  11. ^ "Britannia launches Crème Wafers". Adgully. 24 December 2018.
  12. ^ Law, Abhishek (5 April 2019). "Britannia Industries looks to expand 'adjacencies' portfolio". Business Line.
  13. ^ "Britannia acquires controlling stake in Kenya's Kenafric Biscuits, stock price up over 1%". Zee Business. 4 October 2022.
  14. ^ D’Souza, Sharleen (24 September 2022). "Britannia elevates Varun Berry to vice-chairman, names Rajneet Kohli CEO". Business Standard.
  15. ^ "Top 100 stocks by Market Capitalization | BSE Listed stocks Market Capitalization". www.bseindia.com. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  16. ^ Bhushan, Ratna (1 December 2022). "Britannia enters JV with Bel SA; to sell 49% stake in Britannia Dairy". The Economic Times.
  17. ^ "Prabhu Deva says 'Don't Dare Compare' in Britannia's latest ad". The Economic Times. 19 August 2022.
  18. ^ a b Ruchita Saxena,"Battle-scarred Britannia on expansion spree", Business Standard, 6 October 2007
  19. ^ a b Abhrajit Gangopadhyay, "Danone move may hit Britannia's dairy plans", Hindu Business Line, 7 January 2002
  20. ^ a b c d e Aarati Krishnan, "Britannia Industries: Pare exposures", Hindu Business Line, 3 February 2002
  21. ^ "Rajan Pillai death: Advani rejects probe plea". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  22. ^ Padmakshan, M (12 February 2007). "Pillai's brother eyes global JV for biscuits pie". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 21 January 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
  23. ^ "Barista to be sold again, for Rs 150-200 cr". The Times of India. 10 October 2006. Retrieved 4 March 2009.
  24. ^ a b c Dev Chatterjee, "Danone takes arbitration route to end Wadia ties", Business Standard, 1 July 2007. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  25. ^ Kala Vijayraghavan, "ABIL joins Britannia-Group Danone battle", The Economic Times, 21 November 2006
  26. ^ Ruth David, "Danone's Indian Cookie JV Set To Snap", Forbes, 25 June 2007
  27. ^ a b "Danone may dissolve ties with Britannia". Business Standard. IRIS News Digest. 21 June 2007. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  28. ^ "Danone denies JV with India's Britannia; to proceed with solo plans - report" Archived 27 August 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Thomson Financial, 25 May 2007
  29. ^ "Wadias take Danone to court"[permanent dead link‍], 5 December 2006
  30. ^ "Danone needs NOC from Wadias: FIPB", 28 September 2007
  31. ^ "Danone to sell Britannia stake", 7 April 2009
  32. ^ a b Ruth David (20 September 2007). "Indian Cookie Maker Taking Danone To Court". Forbes. Archived from the original on 25 November 2007. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  33. ^ "Danone to return 'Tiger' to Britannia", Knight-Ridder Tribune Business News, 4 December 2006
  34. ^ "Britannia sues Danone in S'pore". Deccan Herald. 21 September 2007. Archived from the original on 13 December 2007. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  35. ^ "Britannia surges on Danone dispute settlement", Economics Times, 1 September 2009
  36. ^ "Britannia forms joint venture with Chipita of Greece". The Economic Times. 28 March 2017.
  37. ^ Sen, Sesa (29 September 2021). "Britannia Partners Accenture For Digital Overhaul Of Operations". BloombergQuint.
  38. ^ "Covid-19 impact: Britannia partners with Dunzo to home-deliver food essentials". The Economic Times. 7 April 2020.
  39. ^ Karmali, Naazneen (31 January 2012). "Britannia's Tough Cookie". Forbes.
  40. ^ "Brand Footprint report, the new FMCG ranking, is out". Kantar.com.
  41. ^ "Won big at the Global Sustainability Leadership Awards 2021". 27 November 2021.
  42. ^ "Brand Equity's Most Trusted Brands of Indians in 2019-20". Nextbigbrand.in. 26 March 2021.
  43. ^ "Winners". Reiawards.com. 2016.
  44. ^ "Reader's Digest Trusted Brand - 2014". Reader's Digest. 2014.
  45. ^ "India's most-trusted brands of 2014". The Economic Times. 22 October 2014.
  46. ^ "India's Most Attractive Brands 2013". Trustadvisory.info.
  47. ^ "Britannia bags the 'Global Performance Excellence Award'". Adgully. 28 June 2012.
  48. ^ Chamikutty, Preethi (7 November 2012). "Most Trusted Brands 2012: Britannia climbs five spots to number two; beats Nokia and other HUL products". The Economic Times.
  49. ^ "National Quality (GPNQA)". Goldenpeacockaward.com. 2012.
  50. ^ "Past Winners". imcrbnqa.com. 2011.
  51. ^ "70 companies with pre-1947 roots". Livemint. 24 August 2017.
  52. ^ "Annual Report of the CII Institute of Quality for 2011" (PDF). Confederation of Indian Industry. 2011.
  53. ^ Chamikutty, Preethi (7 November 2012). "Most Trusted Brands 2012: Britannia climbs five spots to number two; beats Nokia and other HUL products". The Economic Times.
  54. ^ "Brand Equity Survey 2010". The Economic Times. 1 September 2010.
  55. ^ "All India Brand Trust Ranking". The Brand Trust Report. Trust Research Advisory. Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2012. 67: Britannia
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