VKL's Vietnam Plant Goes On Stream

India headquartered Vallabhdas Kanji Limited (VKL), Asia's largest spice processor, has commenced processed pepper shipments from its Vietnam plant.

A 100% owned subsidiary of the Indian Company, VKL Vietnam Ltd, was incorporated in Dec 2006 and has achieved commercial shipment in less than 12 months' time.

The facility is located in the 'Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park II' in Binh Duong Province, 60 Kms north of Ho Chi Minh City. This industrial park has an international community of investors. The VKL plant is state-of-the- art, top-of-the-line and PLC-operated, with in-line steam sterilization capability.

With the Vietnam facility, VKL becomes the only processor with steam- sterilization capability in the two major pepper origins.

According to VKL's Managing Director, Ajay Mariwala, a Chemical Engineer from Purdue University, USA and a Management graduate from the Sloan School of Management, MIT, USA, "Vietnam today is the world's largest black pepper producer -exporter. The commissioning of this plant, in close proximity to Vietnam's major black pepper growing areas, gives VKL the advantage of continuing to deliver its customers across the world the best pepper products at the most competitive pricing. This is another step towards completing our Global Delivery Model of being closest to raw material sources as well as to customers. More steps in this direction are planned ... and these would fructify our vision of being The Food Ingredients Supplier of Choice to the global food industry."

Expressing satisfaction on the time-bound commissioning of the plant, Mr. J V Mariwala, Chairman, VKL, said: "It will help VKL achieve its growth plans and its commitment to delivering enhanced value to all its stakeholders".

ABOUT VKL:

VKL is part of the USD 150 million Kanji Moorarji Group, headquartered in India.

Established in 1935 and credited with establishing global standards in black pepper VKL is a leader in the global spice trade. VKL has a customer base that includes Fortune 500 companies and spans 40 countries.

Over the last 3 years, the Company has entered three new lines of business - seasonings, private-label and flavors & fragrances.

VKL is a key supply-chain and ingredient solutions partner to leading fast food, snack-food, processed food, RTE (ready to eat) and other food segment companies.

VKL also does private-label packing of spices & seasonings for some of the premier overseas retail and food-service Companies.

In India, VKL operates four manufacturing facilities out of Cochin and Mumbai and has 100% owned subsidiaries in the US, Germany and Vietnam, with plans to add more.

A leading India based venture fund, UTI - VF, invested in VKL in 2006 and the partnership has provided added thrust to VKL's growth plans.

The Company will look at an acquisitions led strategy to rapidly grow its global presence and revenues.

For more information on VKL & its products please visit: http://www.vklspices.com.