India’s Top 500 Companies 2019

INDIA’S TOP 500 COMPANIES 2019 112 Experts’ View Radico Khaitan Limited Kindly share with us the Radico Khaitan’s journey since inception. Radico Khaitan is one of the largest players in the Indian Spirits industry. Formerly known as Rampur Distillery, it was established in the year 1943. Dr. Lalit Khaitan, Chairman & Managing Director, Radico Khaitan Limited, bought the Rampur Distillery in 1972 to run it as a bulk spirit supplier and bottler for other liquor companies. In 1997, Abhishek Khaitan, managing director and son of Dr Lalit Khaitan joined the business and decided to launch and market its own labels with innovative concepts in the Indian marketplace. In the year 1998, Radico Khaitan launched its first brand - 8 PM Whisky. With 8PM Whisky, not only did Radico successfully enter the branded liquor sector, but the brand also managed to achieve a million cases in sales within a year of its launch. It also became first brand in the liquor industry to make it to the Limca Book of Records, for achieving a million cases sales in the very first year. Since then, there has been no looking back for the company. The company embarked on a journey of upgradation and premiumization a few years ago, with the launch of Magic Moments Verve and Morpheus Blue XO Premium Brandy, a notch up offering of the respective mother brands Magic Moments Vodka and Morpheus XO Brandy. Currently, Radico Khaitan has four millionaire brands, such as 8 PM Whisky, Magic Moments Vodka, Contessa Rum and Old Admiral Brandy, and a host of premium products such as Rampur Indian Single Malt Whisky, Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin, Morpheus Blue XO Premium Brandy, Magic Moments Verve Vodka and 8 PM Premium Black Whisky among others in its portfolio. What strategy has your company adopted for sustained growth over the past 4-5 years? What are some of the key factors that contribute to the success of your company? Our strong balance sheet and robust cash flow place us in the pole position in the industry and will lead us to go debt-free in a year and a half. Over the years, we have built a strong portfolio of premium brands in the domestic as well as in international markets. We have innovated in every category at every price point, and today we offer a huge range of premium brands to our consumers. Moreover, the fact that we manage our own distribution, operate three distilleries, one joint venture and 28 bottling units (5 own and 23 contact units) across the country, besides creating our own blends and products, gives us an edge over others. The other key factor that contributes enormously to the growth of the company is that we have a very strong leadership team, who bring rich experience in their domain. The management team is aware of the ground realities, and therefore constantly works towards fulfilling customer demands. AMAR SINHA Chief Operating Officer Our strong balance sheet and robust cash flows place us in the pole position in the industry and will lead us to go debt-free in a year and a half. “ ” Dun & Bradstreet