FMCG giant Nestle opened its first research and development centre in the country at Manesar, Gurgaon to gain insights into Indian consumers and develop affordable products.
This centre will focus on getting deeper consumer insights in Indian eating habits, and taste preferences of consumers as well as use herbs and spices in its products. It will also focus on providing scientific and technological expertise to other global markets.
The centre, which will recruit 40 people, has been built with an investment of 50 million Swiss francs (Rs 288 crore).
The company said the centre will specialise in Asian noodles and Indian cooking focussing on developing nutritious as well as affordable products in appropriate serving sizes for lower income consumers.
Paul Bulcke, Chief Executive Officer of Nestle, said, “The opening of our R&D centre is a logical fit and represents our continued commitment to the country. We continue with our tradition to be a local player and learn from local cuisines as well focus on regional adaptation of global technology in the areas of dairy, confectionary, culinary and nutrition.”
He added that with all Nestle R & D centres, the Indian centre will also be integrated with all the company’s R & D network and will enable the company to acquire local knowledge and use it on a global scale. For instance, the company has used millet, a traditional cereal from India, which has more iron than wheat in making Maggie noodles which the company believes has helped raise the products nutritional profile.
The company also believes this will help nurture local talent as it will hire from the local pool of skilled workforce. The company believes emerging markets such as India and China will contribute nearly 50 per cent to its overall revenues in the next few years.