Sashir Nair, president of the Mumbai-based FMCG company said that he was now looking at global markets as a means of taking the next step in the company's development, in an interview with online Indian publication Business Line. Nair added that he wanted to follow in the footsteps of other Indian companies in the FMCG sector, including Marico and Godrej, who have expanded their footprint by buying up international brands. Although Nair did not note any specific geographic market, he did stipulate that the brand would have to represent an excellent product that would 'add value in its category'. The company is looking for both a licensing and manufacturing arrangement, which means that the product could possibly be produced and marketed in India, on top of any existing markets. Major player in Indian oral care and soap The company is currently a major player in the Indian toothpaste market and is a big competitor of the number one player in the market, Colgate. Back in 2003, the company faced legal action over using the same colors for the packaging of its oral care products as Colgate, resulting in an enforcement that barred it from using Colgate's distinctive red and white coloring on its packaging. Anchor estimates that projected annual growth in the Indian oral care market should nudge 12 percent in the next few years, but is expecting even greater growth for its soap brands, at 50 percent over the next two years. The company entered the soap category 18 months ago, and although still a relatively small player, it says that its lower priced 'popular' soaps are proving very successful. The company is not the only Indian personal care business to be eyeing expansion opportunities overseas. Last month Indian chemical company Vivimed Laboratories acquired UK-based James Robinson, known for its specialization in the hair dye category. At the time Vivimed said that the move offered it the opportunity to expand its presence in the global market for specialty chemicals as well as providing new business opportunities. Currently Vivimed is planning to launch a number of skin care and hair dye products on the Indian market. Indian personal care market set for big growth Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) predicts that the cosmetics market will grow from $950m to $1.4bn in the next 2-3 years, which would bring India's per capita expenditure up to that of China's. Likewise, India has been cited as one of the most important emerging markets in the Asian region, with a 12.6 per cent increase in personal care sales revenue in 2006, according to a report from market research company the Kline Group. Kline currently predicts increasing market sophistication as Indian consumers become more influenced by Western tastes.
