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HACCP certification for Group estates (June,2007) -
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Launch of the “MK” Metal caddy line (December,2006) -
read
Capacity Expansion of St. Petersburg Plant (October,2006)
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read
Launch of new Brands (Novermber,2006) -
read
Modernization Programme (October,2006) -
read
Acquisition of the Jokai Group (May,2005) -
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Press Release
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read
HACCP certification for Group estates (June,2007)
 After
months of reorganizing and updating of field and factory
practices, ten of the group estates have achieved the HACCP
certification awarded by SGS.
HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
and is a systematic preventative approach to consumable
commodity safety that addresses physical, chemical and
biological hazards as a means of prevention rather than
finished product inspection.
HACCP is usually used in the food industry to identify
potential food safety hazards and complications, so that key
steps in the production process, also known as Critical
Control Points (CCP's) can be taken to reduce or eliminate the
risk of the hazards being realized. The system is used at all
stages of food production and preparation processes.
The following Tea estates of the group have been awarded the
HACCP certification by SGS: (click on the garden names to view
the certifications)
NORTH BANK:
Koilamari,
Majulighur,
Gingia
SOUTH BANK:
Panitola,
Bokel,
Singlijan,
Hattialli,
Nalani,
Daisajan,
Muttuck
By being HACCP compliant, we can assure our clients that the
best quality tea is being produced, and recognized by the
industry.
We now aim to achieve ISO standard for our group estates in
the very near future.
To view other certificates visit
Media
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Launch of the “MK” Metal caddy line (December,2006)
Recent market trends have indicated that there has been a
steady rise in the demand for teas packed in metal caddies.
One of the primary reasons for this, as we perceive it, is the
fact that teas packed in metal caddies last longer because of
the exhaustive packaging.
In this context, we take great pride in announcing the arrival
of the first “MK” metal caddy line. Initially, we have
introduced this packaging mode for two of our most premium
brands, - the “MK” Rajah, and the “MK” Royal, both these
brands comprise of a high quality of orthodox blend.
The current variants are available in 250g metal (stainless
steel) caddy jars, the tea is first packed in food grade
metallised polyester film, and then put into the caddies.
(click here to view this
product line)
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Capacity Expansion of St. Petersburg Plant (October,2006)
In line with consistent progressive demand, especially in the
Tea bag and Pillow bag sector, we have added 2 new machines of
Italian make to our Tea bag segment and one machine of polish
make in the Pillow bagging segment. This has increased our tea
and pillow bagging production capacity to over 75mt per month.
2 new, high end form fill seal machines purchased locally from
Russia have also been inducted in our existing machine line,
taking our production capacity of 50g,100g and 250g consumer
packs to 360mt per month.
In early ‘2007, we plan to automate our entire production line
at St. Petersburg by switching over to the line cartoon mode
of packing. This will not only enable us to supply a superior
mode of packaging but also help us reduce the number of people
now required on the production floor by almost 75%. The
automated production line will be fully conveyor compatible
and is aimed to eliminate handling of the product by labour.
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Launch of new Brands (Novermber,2006)
We take great pride in announcing the introduction of 3 new
brands to our existing line of “MK” products. The three new
brands are the “MK” Shahi Chai, the “MK” Golden Assam, and the
“MK” Royal.
While Shahi-Chai and Golden Assam are available n both CTC as
well as orthodox variants, Royal has been exclusively
introduced for our orthodox drinking consumers.
Each of these three brands comprise of a high quality blend
made exclusively, keeping in mind the theme of these brands,
and consist of the best teas used selectively only from our
own plantations. All the three products are now available in
the market, and are targeted to cater to the higher middle
class income populace.
(Click here to view this product
line)
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Modernization Programme (October,2006)
Mr. Shah has invested a colossal
amount in field and factories, restructured operations and
adapted advance policiy for fertilizer application,
rejuvenation, uprooting, replanting and harvesting. Plant CTC
machine and machinery have been upgraded.
The company is a pioneer in
Assam in intruducing Steam Saturated Turbines and Steam Heated
Boilers. It has brought in new technology like Fluid Bed
Dryers and Continuous Fermenting Machines.Special care has
been taken to minimize use of chemicals for pest control and
maintain our produce within the MRL limits. Mr. Shah has also
laid great emphasis on human resources, and professionals,
experienced tea planters are part of his team managing the
twelve estates. Professionalism has become the keyword.
Majughur once considered as a
"weak garden" produces among the best teas. Seajuli and Gingia
teas are "Best Sellers" at Auctions, while Koilamari's
production has doubled. Hattialli has become a brand and
Harrods of London sells its leaves under the "Hattiali" name.
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Acquisition of the Jokai Group (May,2005)
The year ‘2005 was a landmark year for the group, as it was
marked by our acquisition of the esteemed Jokai group along
with its seven plantations. The plantations under the Jokai
group acquired from their erstwhile owners M/s Hindustan Lever
Ltd. are Panitola, Bokel, Hattialli, Muttuck, Singlijan,
Nalani and Daisajan. These seven plantations amongst
themselves make up a total of 7 million kgs of Tea annually.
With this new acquisiyion along with our existing plantations
of Koilamari, Majhulighur, Gingia, Seajuli and Nangdala, our
group now manufactures over 12 million kgs of tea on an annual
basis, and controls over 5000 hectares of land in the Assam
with a permanent work force of over 11,000 people.
Out of our 12 plantations, except Majhulighur, Nangdala and
Nalani, which are dedicated CTC manufacturing plantations, all
the rest have adequate infrastructure to make CTC as well as
Orthodox teas at any time of the year. The popularity of the
new plantations is immense and they present a fantastic
potential as the teas manufactured by them plantations,
especially the Orthodox teas, which have always enjoyed a very
faithful clientele in the middle-east and in some parts of
Europe.
The acquisition was funded partly through the company’s
retained earning and partly through debt and it was in keeping
up with the company’s strong policy of backward integration in
the Tea sector.
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