Amway India, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Amway Corporation of the US, has set up shop in Kochi. The leader in direct selling business, Amway registered annual business of Rs 15 crore last fiscal ended August in the state and expects to do `really' well, according to Amway India managing director and CEO Mr William S Pinckney.The CEO, who was here in connection with the opening of the Kochi office, told mediapersons that Amway India had a turnover of Rs 250 crore in the country last fiscal and hoped to double it this year. The increase in the business last year was a 40 per cent jump compared to the previous fiscal.
The parent company, Amway Corporation, which has been in business for the last 40 years and has a presence in 130 countries with over 450 products, mobilised $4.8 billion last year.
Mr Pinckney said all Amway India products were manufactured in the country through four third-party contract manufacturers in the SSI sector. It had invested over $4 million for upgradation of production facilities and skill to meet international standards, thus giving an impetus to the local industry.
However, Mr Pinckney admitted that it was difficult for these three manufacturers to meet the domestic demands. Its product portfolio comprises seven products in the personal care category and eight in the home care category.
Mr Pinckney said Amway India plans an aggressive product launch introducing new products every few months. Several new coreline products and increased marketing collaborations with well-known brands are also on cards. Amway also intends entering e-commerce after a year. However, Mr Pinckney said that it would not give up it direct selling business.
Amway has 25 offices in India and through its three lakh distributors reaches 330 locations. The company has invested over Rs 151 crore in India of which Rs 26 crore is in the form of direct foreign investment.
Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.