Orkla ASA, the Norwegian industrial investment company that owns MTR Foods, announced the reorganization of its Indian operations into a single business entity, Orkla India. This move aligns with Orkla’s strategy of creating autonomous portfolio companies, and as a result, three distinct business units have been established: MTR, Eastern, and International Business (IB).
The reorganization aims to bolster collective business capabilities and foster focused growth within each unit. Under this new structure, Sanjay Sharma, formerly of MTR, will serve as the CEO of Orkla India. Each business unit will operate with its own independent CEO, all reporting to Sharma.
This reorganization expands the company’s product portfolio, integrating offerings from MTR and Eastern while enhancing its international presence through the newly established IB unit. Both MTR and Eastern will maintain their brand identities while benefiting from the synergies, scale, expertise, and cost advantages that this realignment brings.
Atle Vidar Nagel Johansen, Chairman of Orkla India, emphasized the strategic significance of the acquisition of Eastern in strengthening their position in the Indian market. He highlighted the pivotal role the three business units will play in reinforcing Orkla’s overall portfolio, leveraging the strength of local brands and leadership in distinct markets.
Sanjay Sharma shared his perspective on this reorganization, noting that each business unit is in a different stage of evolution. He expressed confidence that consolidating under the Orkla India umbrella will provide a dedicated focus to accelerate the growth of each unit.