Carlsberg expands its India opps.

Reinforcing its commitment to the India market, Carlsberg India Pvt. Ltd today announced the acquisition of its sixth brewery in Dharuhera, Haryana and laid the foundation of its seventh brewery in Prakhand Bikram, District Patna, Bihar. Carlsberg currently has breweries in Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. These recent developments will deliver compelling strategic benefits, making Carlsberg India Pvt. Ltd. one of the most formidable players in the market.

Acquisition of the brewery in Dharuhera, Haryana is an extremely important strategic decision which reaffirms Carlsberg’s commitment to the Indian market and making it more competitive in the Indian beer industry. The brewery has a current production capacity of 150 KHL, with the potential of further volume expansion to approx 500 KHL. The facility is strategically located 200 meters off the Delhi-Jaipur highway which would provide convenient access to various locations. The brewery will commence operations in the first quarter of 2013. Carlsberg India will be upgrading the brewery to international quality standards.

Bhoomi Pujan for the seventh Carlsberg India brewery in Bihar took place yesterday at Prakhand Bikram, District Patna. The construction of the state-of-art brewery in Bihar will be completed by end of fourth quarter of 2013 and will cater to the entire Bihar market and the surrounding states.  The brewery will have a start-up capacity of 0.5 Million HL (500KHL) and will also generate local employment. To further leverage its commitment to India, Carlsberg has procured technology largely sourced indigenously.  In addition, new technology is being used in a few areas like beer filtration and energy conservation for the efficient functioning of the brewery. All brands of Carlsberg India’s portfolio vis-à-vis Carlsberg, Carlsberg Elephant, Tuborg Green, Tuborg Strong and Palone 8 will be brewed in this facility.

On the expansion announcement, Soren Lauridsen, Managing Director, Carlsberg India said: “The acquisition of a brewery in Haryana and setting up of the district Patna brewery reaffirms Carlsberg’s commitment to India. Like all our breweries in India and overseas, Carlsberg India ensures production of high quality beer through stringent quality control. The ambition of Carlsberg India is to be the fastest growing beer company, by offering premium international quality brands to the Indian consumers.”

Carlsberg India commenced commercial operations in 2007 and in this short time has become the number 3 player in the Indian beer industry through its focus on innovation, quality and service. Today, Carlsberg India’s market share YTD September is 7 % (excluding Tamil Nadu).