The chemicals division of Godrej Industries has launched a knowledge-sharing platform in Ahmedabad, which will be replicated in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and other cities in the months to come. Named Samagam, the platform aims to bring together scientists, manufacturers, distributors for half-day interactive sessions.
Addressing a news conference in the city on Friday, Vishal Sharma, Executive Director and CEO of Godrej Industries (Chemicals) said the initiative is meant to foster collaboration. “We are launching it from Ahmedabad because Gujarat has many entrepreneurs in this field. These small and medium enterprises do not always have the resources available to large companies. Samagam will make the company’s knowledge resources available to our partners,” he said.
The inaugural session of Samagam on Saturday will focus on home and beauty care and is expected to have over 200 participants. According to Chief Commercial Officer Sandeep Arora, the session will be addressed by senior scientists from the company’s research & development labs as well as external experts. “We will discuss emerging trends and sustainable solutions. Ahmedabad has emerged as a hub for beauty and personal care manufacturing with a thriving contract manufacturing ecosystem supplying to both domestic and international markets,” he said.
Established in 1963, Godrej Chemicals has manufacturing plants in Ambarnath, Maharashtra and Valia, Gujarat and it is planning to expand both. The company has recently acquired the ethoxylation unit of Shree Vallabh Chemicals in Kheda and is in the process of acquiring the food additives and emulsifier business of Savannah Surfactants in Goa.
“Our annual turnover last year was Rs 2,500 crore and this year, we have managed to reach this figure in the first nine months. We plan to invest Rs 500 crore to double our turnover in the next three years,” Mr Sharma.
A substantial portion of the company’s capital expenditure is likely to be in the Valia plant in Bharuch, where it employs 400 people directly, plus another 1000 people on contract. Around 20% of Godrej Chemical’s employees are women. “The industry average is only 8%, so this is a noteworthy achievement,” says Mr Sharma.
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