Dabur India Limited, a renowned 140-year-old Ayurvedic and Natural FMCG company, has taken a significant step forward by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu government on Thursday. This agreement, formalized in the presence of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at the Secretariat, marks the beginning of Dabur’s first consumer goods manufacturing unit in South India. The new facility will be established at SIPCOT Tindivanam, signaling a strategic expansion for the company.
The MoU details an initial approved investment of ₹135 crore for phase 1 of the project, with plans to increase this investment to ₹400 crore over the next five years. This development is poised to create direct employment opportunities for approximately 250 people, along with generating thousands of indirect jobs. The upcoming state-of-the-art facility is expected to be one of Dabur’s most advanced and environmentally friendly manufacturing units.
Rahul Awasthi, Global Head of Operations at Dabur India Limited, revealed that the company has already received the land allotment order, with construction slated to commence in the next three to four months. In the initial phase, the facility will focus on producing three key products: Dabur Honey, Red Toothpaste, and Odonil Air Freshener. The first phase is anticipated to be operational within 18 months. As the project progresses into the second phase, Dabur plans to expand its focus to include its food product portfolio.
Awasthi emphasized Tamil Nadu’s strategic importance, noting that its central location relative to three of Dabur’s major depots in South India, coupled with the availability of raw materials such as mango and guava pulp from Krishnagiri, made it an ideal choice for the new facility. This investment will enhance Dabur’s ability to meet the growing demand for its products in South India, thereby solidifying its market presence in the region.
Dabur India Limited’s Chief Executive Officer, Mohit Malhotra, highlighted that this investment will not only help meet regional demand but also strengthen the company’s footprint in the southern markets. Tamil Nadu’s Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa welcomed Dabur’s expansion in the region, acknowledging the significance of the new plant for both the company and the state.
On the same day, Chief Minister Stalin also inaugurated the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), upgraded as the Multi Hazard Early Warning Centre at the Ezhilagam complex in Chepauk, costing ₹5.13 crore. This facility will play a crucial role in coordinating relief and rescue operations, collecting data from various nodal agencies on natural disasters, and disseminating alerts to relevant authorities.
In another event, Mr. Stalin distributed research fellowship orders to 120 students and handed out appointment orders to new recruits in the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department. He also released a coffee table book titled “Future is Here – Khelo India Games 2023,” published by the Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department. The events saw participation from several ministers and senior officials, underscoring the state’s commitment to fostering development and innovation.