General Mills India, a subsidiary of the US-based Fortune 500 packaged food giant General Mills Inc., has achieved a significant milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony of its new manufacturing plant in Nashik, Maharashtra. This marks a momentous step in the expansion of General Mills’ presence in India, with the facility set to become the hub for producing Pillsbury Baking Mixes for the Indian market. Operations are expected to commence by August 2024.
This state-of-the-art plant will be General Mills’ second manufacturing facility for Pillsbury Baking Mixes in India, representing an investment of approximately INR 100 crore in cutting-edge technology and infrastructure. With this expansion, General Mills India will effectively double its manufacturing capacity, positioning itself to meet the surging demand for Pillsbury bakery solutions in India. The Pillsbury brand has already established a dominant presence in the baking mix segment and is primed to supply high-quality baking products to the flourishing bakery and food service industries in the country.
Anand Khurana, Country Director for General Mills India, commented on the development, stating, “The bakery industry in India is experiencing remarkable growth. Beyond birthdays, cake cutting has become an integral part of various occasions such as anniversaries, success parties, and festive gatherings. Pillsbury’s bakery solutions empower bakers with consistent quality in every cake batch and enhance the efficiency of bakery businesses. The new facility underscores Pillsbury’s commitment to serving more bakers in India and supporting their business growth.”
Pillsbury introduced its baking mixes to India back in 1999 and has since become the undisputed leader in cake and dessert mixes for professional bakers. The Nashik plant is poised to further cement Pillsbury’s position as the preferred brand for bakers nationwide, catering to their evolving needs.
India plays a pivotal role in General Mills’ global growth strategy. The decision to double production capacity with this new plant demonstrates General Mills’ unwavering dedication to the growth and prosperity of the baking community.
Balki Radhakrishnan, Vice President and Managing Director of Global Emerging Markets at General Mills, affirmed, “India is among General Mills’ priority markets worldwide. In recent years, our business in India has consistently accelerated growth, and the new manufacturing plant reinforces our commitment to expanding in India by delighting more consumers and meeting evolving consumer needs.”
Greg Pardo, spokesperson for the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai, highlighted the significance of General Mills’ expansion in Nashik, saying, “The growth and success in India of an iconic American brand such as General Mills shows the strength of U.S.-India economic ties and the potential of our nations to work together to serve global markets. General Mills’ expansion here in Nashik reflects their commitment to advancing the agricultural industry of Maharashtra by creating wonderful foods for the world to enjoy.”