BWI: Silliker Expands into India through Investment in MicroChem Laboratory

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: MicroChem Laboratory
Thursday, February 18, 2010 04:51 PM IST (11:21 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Food & drink; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Banking & financial services, Business services
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Silliker Expands into India through Investment in MicroChem Laboratory
MicroChem Silliker Opens New 22,000 sq ft, state of the Art Nutritional Chemistry and Food Safety Laboratory at Mhape; Shri Subodh Kant Sahai, Hon'ble Minister for Food Processing Industries supports joint venture that aims to further Ministry of Food Processing India's Vision 2015

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Thursday, February 18, 2010 -- (Business Wire India) -- Silliker, the world leader in the field of food safety and quality services and part of the Mérieux Alliance group of companies, has expanded its India footprint through investment in MicroChem Laboratory, a full-service food testing organization headquartered in Mumbai with presence across the country.

The new venture known as 'MicroChem Silliker' also opened its new 22,000 square feet, state of the art nutritional chemistry and food safety laboratory at Mhape, Mumbai. This boasts of dedicated Chemical, Microbiology, Instrumentation and Sensory Evaluation laboratories supported by a trained team of qualified technical personnel. Present at the occasion was Shri Subodh Kant Sahai, Hon'ble Minister for Food Processing Industries.

"We see this new state-of-the-art laboratory as an excellent example of the great collaboration and synergy developed between both teams. This new investment reflects our strategic ambition to expand our services, meet client demands locally and internationally while delivering the high level quality service Silliker is recognized for worldwide," Philippe Sans, CEO of Silliker Group Corporation.

Silliker shares joint ownership of the company with Dr. Deepa Bhajekar, the founder of MicroChem Laboratory. Additionally, Silliker will help support and expand MicroChem's existing analytical, technological and service capabilities for its existing clientele that includes most of the biggest retail brands in the country.

"Over the decade, MicroChem has built a reputation for itself as an industry trendsetter and a problem-solving organization," said Dr. Deepa Bhajekar, Managing Director, MicroChem Laboratory. "We see our partnership with Silliker as a perfect blend of philosophies. We are now confident we will be able to enhance our scope of services to become a one stop shop for all food, quality and safety requirements and look to support the Ministry of Food Processing India's Vision 2015."

As part of the Vision 2015, the Ministry of Food Processing India has been implementing various schemes for promotion and development. Vision 2015 envisages tripling the size of the food processing industry, from $70 billion to around $210 billion, enhancing global share to 3 per cent, increasing value addition to 35 per cent, from 20 per cent and raising the level of processing of perishables to 20 per cent.

About Silliker:

As part of the Institut Mérieux, Silliker is the leading internationally accredited provider of food safety and quality services with more than 45 locations in 16 countries. Silliker provides food manufacturers, restaurants, caterers and retailers with consulting, testing, auditing, research and training services that help assure quality, safety and nutrition. They are recognized for their expertise in delivering accurate information in a timely manner that identify operational problems, anticipate areas of concern, and institute practical controls associated with food safety and quality risks.

About MicroChem:

The MicroChem Laboratory is one of India's premier food testing providers. With its Central Laboratory in the growing industrial center of Mhape, Navi Mumbai, the company which was founded in 2000 by Dr. Deepa Bhajekar now offers a wide range of analytical services. MicroChem serves food processors and exporters in every industry segment from three regional locations, including Delhi and Pune. The laboratory is accredited to ISO/IEC:17025 by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).


CONTACT DETAILS
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Melissa D'mello, 20:20 MEDIA, +91 9867043485 , melissa.dmello@2020india.com
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KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, FOOD, MARKETING, BANKING, BUSINESS SERVICES

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