In good spirits: Beam Global bets big on India

Nifty BSE | NSE 28/05/12 Are Mutual Funds betting on Nifty?

Q: Has the team come and told you this is a good brand to buy, are you considering anything to buy from the Indian market or are you just looking at nothing in particular?

A: We have a watching brief. But I can't tell you there is anything on the immediate horizon.

Q: Have you set any money aside?

A: No. We have the benefit of being a large global company. When the opportunities come up and if the teams make the right case and we think they are a good fit with our overall long-term strategy then we will make it happen.

Q: Assuming there are no acquisitions in the next four or five years, can you give us an idea of investments that you plan in India?

A: I think the investments that we will be making are really at two levels. One is to continue to build our infrastructure. And I do believe that if we need to extend our factory footprint, or our distribution capability or our salesforce network, those are very good investments and they will pay us back.

And the second is in brand building. As we introduce new brands it takes a lot of time and money to build a brand. There are awards for that and we can see in Teacher's. And today is a very good shining example of a proud long term brand building. I would like us to bring more brands to this market. We need to do it with discipline without distracting the focus from our core. But for me that's where the primary investment of our business will go in the coming years.

Q: How different is it selling spirits versus selling chocolates and confectioneries?

A: Both are equally good fun. They are different consumers and different targets and hopefully they both give pleasurable rewards and treats to consumers and they are both fanned on fundamental principles of great brand building and great brand activation.