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Nestlé India boosts Munch output with Rs 225 crore Gujarat expansion
Sanand factory set for a sweet surge as new line adds 8,300 tonnes annually
MUMBAI: Nestlé India is turning up the sweet factor with a major expansion at its Sanand factory in Gujarat. The FMCG giant has announced a new production line for its beloved chocolate brand Munch, with an investment of around Rs 225 crore.
The new line is expected to add approximately 8,300 tonnes per year to the facility’s capacity and is slated to go live within the financial year 2025-26. Nestlé India will fund the project through internal accruals, signalling strong financial health and confidence in the growing demand for its products.
This move forms part of Nestlé India’s broader capital expenditure plans across both greenfield and brownfield projects, aimed at boosting overall production capabilities. Munch is already made at multiple facilities across the country, but the Sanand expansion is set to ensure a sweeter supply for the nation.
The announcement comes on the back of a robust financial performance. For the December quarter, Nestlé India reported a 45 per cent rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 998 crore, up from Rs 688 crore a year earlier. Revenue from operations climbed 19 per cent to Rs 5,667 crore, while Ebitda margin reached 21.3 per cent of sales, reflecting improved efficiency.
With this capacity boost, Nestlé India is clearly betting on a chocolatey future, ensuring that fans of Munch will have plenty to crunch on in the years ahead.
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Kedar Apte exits Mahindra as EV charging head
Senior vice-president steps down as EV infra push gathers pace
MUMBAI: Kedar Apte has stepped down from Mahindra Group, where he served as senior vice-president and head of EV charging infrastructure, marking another leadership shift as the company accelerates its electric mobility ambitions.
Apte’s departure brings to a close a two-year stint that saw him move across diverse parts of the business, from tractors to charging grids. He joined Mahindra in 2023 to oversee international operations for its farm equipment division, with full profit and loss responsibility.
A year later, he was handed the reins of the group’s EV charging infrastructure business, a role that sits at the heart of Mahindra’s plans to plug into India’s fast-growing electric vehicle ecosystem. His exit comes at a time when automakers are doubling down on charging networks, widely seen as a key hurdle in driving mass EV adoption.
Reflecting on his tenure, Apte said, “My last three years with Mahindra have been super busy and enriching. From managing farm international business to setting up EV charging, there has never been a dull day.
As I close this chapter of my career next week, I take back a lot of learnings, cherished friendships and tons of great memories.
Thanks to all the leaders for their guidance and support and to all my colleagues for making this stint worthwhile. I start an exciting chapter of my career next week and I can’t wait for the adventure to start.”
Before Mahindra, Apte was chief marketing officer at Jio-bp, a joint venture between Reliance Industries and bp, where he worked at the crossroads of traditional fuel retail and new-age mobility solutions.
Earlier, he spent nearly a decade at Castrol, holding senior roles across marketing and sales, including chief marketing officer for India and the subcontinent, and sales director for markets spanning the Middle East, Pakistan and Egypt.
He began his career at Hindustan Unilever, spending close to ten years rising through the sales ranks, eventually managing a regional business with revenues exceeding Rs 3,000 crore.
While Mahindra has not yet announced a successor, Apte’s exit comes at a pivotal moment, as the race to build reliable charging infrastructure gathers speed and competition in the EV lane intensifies.
