It will be one of the biggest distilleries in India with a capacity of producing up to 60K liters of fresh malt spirit per day.
Aimed at transforming the region’s socio-economic landscape, Pernod Ricard India envisions this investment to be an integral driver for the growth and development of the local community.
India: The Government of Maharashtra and Pernod Ricard India, a global leader in the wine and spirits industry, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish one of the biggest malt spirit distilleries in India, in the industrial suburb of Butibori in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Furthering Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Make in India’, Pernod Ricard India plans an investment of up to 200 M€ in the decade. The MoU signing was graced by Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis Minister of Industries, Maharashtra, Shri Uday Samant Maharashtra Excise Minister, Shri Shambhuraj Desai Principal Secretary Industries Dr. Harshdeep Kamble along with Jean Touboul, CEO, Pernod Ricard India; Prasanna Mohile, National Corporate Affairs Head, Pernod Ricard India and Gagandeep Sethi, Senior VP, Integrated Operations, Pernod Ricard India.
With the commissioning of this distillery, Pernod Ricard India aims to employ a workforce of up to 700 to 800 ultimately. This commitment extends not only to the construction phase of the distillery but also encompasses the post-commissioning operations of the plant. Beyond the immediate impact, this is poised to create a ripple effect, positively influencing indirect employment opportunities throughout the region.
India has proven to be a strategic market for Pernod Ricard Group, a global leader in the alco-bev industry. Pernod Ricard India is not only committed to investing in the country but also fostering employment opportunities and skill development initiatives for local communities, focusing on farmers. With this project, Pernod Ricard India aims to eventually procure up to 50,000 tons of barley on an annual basis from farmers nationwide. In due course, the company aims to work jointly with the Government to develop capabilities of barley cultivation in the State of Maharashtra to boost farmers’ income.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said “We believe that infrastructural growth is the first step towards amplifying advancement for any State & we are delighted that Pernod Ricard India shares our vision to invest in the economic and skill development of the region and the country. The foundation of this distillery will assist in creating strong avenues for employment and aid in spurring the growth of ancillary industries and services. And most importantly this would serve as a platform of opportunities for thousands of farmers of the region to attain steady income and bring agricultural diversity and stability.”
Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and Pernod Ricard India have been actively working together and have identified a suitable location to build the distillery. MIDC has come forward with the necessary support and assistance, providing the regulatory permissions for the project and paving the way for its success, in the state of Maharashtra.
Jean Touboul, CEO, Pernod Ricard India, said, “We are excited to announce the launch of one of India’s biggest malt spirit distilleries, to be set up in Nagpur, in Maharashtra. This initiative is in continuation of our dedicated efforts to Make and Innovate in India and we are confident that it will elevate India’s standing on the global map, as a key player in the production of high-quality malt. The establishment of this distillery will provide a boost to various allied sectors in and around Nagpur and the state of Maharashtra. Further, the foundation of the plant will aim to provide local entrepreneurs and the farmer community with new avenues of growth. As a leading player in the alco-bev segment for over 30 years, inclusive and sustainable growth has been at the heart of our India strategy. We are honored to work with the Government of Maharashtra which shares a similar vision.”
The malt spirit distillery will integrate sustainable practices and technologies across processes from inception.
Pernod Ricard India aims to accelerate the nation’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat. With this investment, the company is laying down the foundation stones for sustainable and inclusive development, which will eventually become the lifeline across communities, pump in economic vitality, foster social cohesion, and create convivial experiences.
About Pernod Ricard India
Pernod Ricard India Private Limited (PRI) is a fully owned subsidiary of Pernod Ricard South Asia and a fast-growing multinational alcohol-beverage company delivering quality products to its consumers across the country.
Impressive Brand Portfolio
Home to renowned brands in each category, Pernod Ricard India holds one of the most dynamic and premium portfolios in the industry, led by Seagram’s whiskies that include Longitude 77, Royal Stag, Royal Stag Barrel Select, Blenders Pride, Blenders Pride Reserve Collection, Imperial Blue, 100 Pipers and a wide range of international premium brands such as Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute and Jameson Irish whiskey. Some of the eminent brands in the white spirits category include ABSOLUT vodka, Jacob’s Creek and Campo Viejo wines, Martell cognac, Beefeater and Monkey 47 gin, Kahlúa, and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagne.
Global yet committed to ‘Make in India’
India continues to be a priority market and central to Pernod Ricard’s operations globally. Being one of the fastest-growing businesses for Pernod Ricard globally, the Group’s commitment to the “Make in India” initiative is reflected in its sales portfolio within India, which comprises over 97% of domestically produced brands. With six overseas manufacturing locations including Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Nigeria, and Cameroon, and a global footprint in 50+ countries, Seagram’s whiskies are being exported to 33 countries across the world.
With over 30 years of rich legacy and operations in India, the company operates through its distillery in Nashik (Maharashtra) apart from 24 bottling sites across the country. The company also has a state-of-the-art distillery and winery at Nashik (Maharashtra), a one-of-its-kind integrated risk management and zero pollution facility. The two units – Nashik and Rocky, have also become the first winery and the first Alco-Bev units, respectively, to receive the FSSC 22000 certification.
Responsible and Growing for Good
Pernod Ricard India is recognized as an industry leader with accolades including ‘Best Places to Work 2021’ by BW People, Stevie 2021 – Gold for Great Employers, and The Economic Times ‘Best Places to Work for Women 2021’. The company has also been certified as ‘The Great Place to Work 2021’ by the Great Place to Work Institute. With a strong focus on Diversity & Inclusion, Pernod Ricard India has over 50% representation of women on the shop floor in their manufacturing sites in the South and East Zone.
Pernod Ricard India also believes in ‘Creating Shared Value’ for the business and local communities in a way that drives transformational growth and development for the country. Pernod Ricard India Foundation (PRIF), a Section 8 Company incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 (“Act”), is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PRI, instituted to fulfill its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility near its operations and beyond.
