As the economy entered a turbulent phase last year, Schauna Chauhan, CEO, Parle Agro, had to juggle several tasks — controlling inflation and pricing of products amid rising raw material costs, and giving confidence to manufacturing partners to add more capacities. Her younger sister Nadia Chauhan, joint MD and CMO, was building the dairy beverage segment, apart from re-establishing the business post Covid, and foraying into Angola, GCC and Nepal.
Schauna says input costs have tripled due to inflationary pressures. “It is particularly challenging when you have a product meant for the masses with an MRP of ₹5 and ₹10.” Despite challenges, the beverage major expanded into new categories with product launches, including milk-based beverage brand SMOODH, which gained 33% market share in the flavoured milk segment within eight months of its launch. Malt-flavoured fruit drink B Fizz, also launched during the peak of the pandemic in October 2020, has grown into a ₹500-crore brand. B Fizz is an extension of the fruit-based beverage brand, Appy Fizz.
“We support farmers through multiple businesses... One-third of the fruit pulp produced in India is consumed by Parle Agro,” says Nadia, who believes that power means responsibility. “You have to thrive amidst a fast-changing environment, adapt and continue passionately towards the goals.” — Nevin John