SUCCESS IN THE GLOBAL COFFEE MARKET
CCL PRODUCTS INDIA
PRODUCTS INDIA
CCL PRODUCTS INDIA BREWING SUCCESS IN THE GLOBAL COFFEE MARKET
Project by: Malvern Kandemwa
Words by: Michelle Duncan
Challa Srishant, the Managing Director of CCL Products (India) Ltd, has played a pivotal role in steering the company to new heights. CCL Products is a globally recognized name in the coffee industry, known for its high-quality instant coffee products. Under Srishant’s leadership, the company has expanded its operations, embraced innovation, and reinforced its commitment to sustainability.
Challa Srishant joined CCL Products (India) in 2005 with a clear vision to modernise the legacy company and continue delivering the finest and richest coffee globally. His drive and passion fuelled the transformation and within the first two years of launching the brand, they achieved nearly US$1.2 million in revenue for their branded business.
Challa Srishant, MD, CCL Products India
The company, founded in 1994, began its journey as a manufacturer of instant coffee. Over the years, the company has evolved into a global player, exporting its products to over 90 countries. The company’s evolution is marked by significant milestones, including the establishment of manufacturing facilities in India, Vietnam, and Switzerland, and the expansion of its product portfolio to include a wide range of instant coffee varieties. It has appeared as a significant player in the coffee industry, known for its high-quality products and strong presence in international markets. CCL Products specialises in the production of instant coffee, including spraydried, freeze-dried, and agglomerated varieties, catering to both retail and institutional customers worldwide.
OVER THE YEARS, CCL INDIA HAS EVOLVED INTO A GLOBAL PLAYER, EXPORTING ITS PRODUCTS TO OVER 90 COUNTRIES.
Under Challa Srishant’s leadership, CCL Products has placed a strong emphasis on innovation and research and development (R&D). The company’s dedicated R&D team works tirelessly to develop new products, improve existing ones, and explore sustainable coffee production methods. Innovations in product formulation, packaging, and processing have helped CCL Products stay ahead of industry trends and meet evolving consumer preferences.
Srishant’s first initiative was to create a robust digital infrastructure, improving operational efficiencies. This foundation allowed CCL Products to adapt and thrive in a competitive market. He also set up a cost-effective direct communication with international customers which was crucial. This streamlined processes and strengthened relationships. Srishant championed in-house research and development. The company experimented with complex coffee flavours, leading to a niche portfolio of products. They even designed custom equipment on-site, enhancing flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
“To do this, we ended up making our own equipment on site in some cases,” Srishant explains. “It means we’re able to build factories at a price point that is lower than others. That’s why our return ratios are better. It also means that we have a flexibility that nobody else has.”
CCL Products runs ultramodern manufacturing facilities equipped with advanced technology for coffee processing. The company’s production units are designed to keep high-quality standards throughout the manufacturing process, from raw material sourcing to final product packaging. CCL Products’ commitment to excellence in manufacturing has earned it a reputation for delivering premium coffee products to global markets.
The Company offers a diverse range of coffee products to meet the varying preferences of con-
SRISHANT’S
ROBUST DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE INNOVATIONS HAVE ALLOWED CCL PRODUCTS TO ADAPT AND THRIVE IN A COMPETITIVE MARKET.
sumers. The company’s product portfolio includes instant coffee powders, flavoured coffee blends, specialty coffees, and private label solutions. With a focus on innovation and research, CCL Products continually develops new products and flavours to stay ahead of market trends and consumer demands. By supplying coffee to other brands, Srishant sought feedback from existing customers. This enabled frequent upgrades and customization, meeting unique requests.
“We’re now one of the largest instant coffee exporters and manufacturers across the globe,” he confirms.
SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES
As a responsible corporate entity, CCL Products is committed to sustainability and environmental conservation. The company actively engages in environmentally friendly practices, such as water conservation, energy efficiency, and waste reduction measures in its manufacturing processes. CCL Products’ sustainability initiatives underscore its commitment to running as a socially responsible organisation that considers the impact of its operations on the environment.
They also engage with coffee farmers and suppliers to ensure they adhere to sustainable farming practices. This involves educating them on sustainable agriculture techniques, fair trade practices, and environmental stewardship. They source a huge
part of its coffee beans from certified suppliers who follow international sustainability standards such as Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade, and UTZ. These certifications ensure that the coffee is grown and harvested in ways that support environmental health, economic viability, and social equity. CCL Products implements robust traceability systems to track the origin of its coffee beans. This ensures transparency in the supply chain and allows the company to verify that its sourcing practices are sustainable and ethical.
Today, the company boasts more than 1,000 unique blends, servicing more than 400 clients in more than 100 countries through its operations in four factories across the globe. They have established a strong foothold in international markets, exporting its products to over 90 countries across the globe. The company’s wide-
spread distribution network and strategic partnerships enable it to reach a diverse customer base in regions such as Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa. CCL Products’ global presence highlights its success in penetrating international markets and building lasting relationships with customers worldwide.
Beyond Coffee, the company has taken a measured, sustainable approach to its product diversification, by building internal capabilities to create specialty coffees and small volumes for unique brands to create a niche lineup. This is quite the opposite direction of the company’s economies of scale model from the early years. Integral to these ambitious plans are CCL Products’ long-term suppliers, such as Flavourtech Pvt Ltd and others of whom have been working together for decades.
Under the visionary leadership of Challa Srishant, the company has made significant strides in embedding sustainability into its business operations. Through responsible sourcing, energy efficiency, waste management, water conservation, carbon footprint reduction, community engagement, and sustainable product innovation, the company shows a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility. As CCL Products continues to innovate and expand its sustainability efforts, it sets a benchmark for the coffee industry and contributes to a more sustainable and fair future.
Flavourtech…Innovative Processing Solutions for the Food & Beverage Industry
Flavourtech is a world leader in the development, design and manufacture of thin-film, spinning cone technologies for dealcoholisation, aroma recovery, extraction and concentration. Headquartered in Australia, Flavourtech’s unique processing technologies are enabling food and beverage companies around the world to produce higher quality products that allow them to differentiate themselves from competitors.
The primary advantages of Flavourtech’s technologies include:
The protection of heat-sensitive products
• Easy handling of highly viscous products and slurries
• Desired product characteristics such as flavour, colour and functionality are maintained
• Automated and continuous systems
Visit flavourtech.com to learn more about:
The Spinning Cone Column (SCC) – Aroma recovery, flavour management, extraction and dealcoholisation from liquids and slurries. Flavourtech’s new smallscale SCC100 has been launched and is available at a special introductory price in 2024!
• The Centritherm® evaporator – Particularly suitable for the concentration of heat-sensitive, valuable or viscous products.
The Rotating Disc Column (RDC) - A continuous contacting device which allows temperature, pressure and residence times to be precisely controlled.
The Integrated Extraction System (IES) – An automated and continuous solution for the production of instant and RTD tea and coffee.
• Aquaporin – Forward Osmosis systems for the concentration of natural aromas.
www.flavourtech.com sales@flavourtech.com