The Hindu Business Line : Surya Vinayak plans foray into healthcare segment

THE Rs 300-crore Surya Vinayak Industries Ltd (SVIL), the country's largest producer of sandalwood oil, is looking to make a foray into the healthcare segment under its own brands.

The company has so far been supplying sandalwood oil to several players such as DS Foods (for Baba Zarda) and Mysore Sandal Soap.

SVIL is doing research on the benefits of sandalwood and plans to come out with a pill to help control blood pressure. The pill, based on sandalwood oil, is currently in the testing stage. "Sandalwood has a lot of properties. It is an antidepressant, antipyretic, a coolant, antibacterial and is also an ideal ingredient for aromatherapy. It helps control the blood pressure as well," Mr Sudhir Sharma, Manager (Marketing and Sales), SVIL, said.

SVIL has recently forayed into the premium, natural cosmetics segment under its own brand called Lambency. This consists of a sandalwood face pack priced at Rs 350 and a 5 ml pack of pure sandalwood oil priced at Rs 550.

Targeting the volume segment, SVIL also intends to roll out products such as a face scrub, rosewater and a cream in the forthcoming months.

"We would be targeting A-class cities with our products and would commence advertising for our brand from October. Despite the high pricing, we feel our products will do well because of the high quality. We had conducted a market survey and found that nearly all the major brands which advertise products claiming to be sandalwood-based, do not actually even have 1 per cent of sandalwood in them or they use sandalwood in which the oil has been taken out," Mr Sharma said.

SVIL expects its recent diversification to generate about Rs 10 crore in the first year.

The company is looking to make a mark in the exports market as well and is eyeing the US and European market. "We have appointed consultants in Europe to study the market for our products. There is considerable awareness about natural products in the region. We have already applied for the requisite approvals to enter these markets," Mr Sharma said.

SVIL has three plants- one each in Haryana, Tripura and Delhi.

More Stories on : Strategy | Healthcare Products

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Katra Liquor offers insurance cover to shop boys

Surya Vinayak plans foray into healthcare segment

LG Care mulls sachet route to stay ahead in FMCG market

Trigger to go in for capacity expansion

Idea Cellular to catch them young in Delhi

Samsung introduces India-specific packs for storage media devices

Kaya Skin Clinic to expand to South

Marks and Spencer is UK's top retail brand

Landline talk: J&K, Bihar take the honours

Central fund to brand jewellery for exports

Ralco Tyres launches new range

Blood glucose monitor launched in AP