Balaji Wafers

Balaji Wafers is a major snack food manufacturer and distributor in Gujarat, India. It produces and distributes a variety of potato chips and other grain-based snack foods.

Balaji Wafers
TypePrivate limited
IndustryFood products
Headquarters
Rajkot, Gujarat, India
Key people
Bhikhubhai Virani, Chandubhai Virani, Kanubhai Virani
ProductsPotato chips, Namkeen
Revenue₹3,000 crore (US$390 million) (2020)[1]
Number of employees
5000 [2]
Websitebalajiwafers.com

History

The company is owned by Chandubhai Virani. Chandubhai and his brothers Bhikhubhai and Kanubhai migrated from a small Village Dhun Dhoraji, Kalavad Taluka, Jamnagar district of Gujarat. Their father Popatbhai Virani was a farmer, who sold ancestral agriculture land and gave ₹20,000 (US$260) to them to venture into business.

The Viranis invested in farm equipment, but could not succeed and lost the money. Kakubhai and his brothers started a wafer business from a canteen of a cinema hall in Rajkot in 1974. Until 1989, the wafers were produced at the Viranis' house and distributed in and around Rajkot city.

In the initial stage, Balaji Wafers set up their plant at Aji Vasad (Industrial Zone, Rajkot) with a new concept of making potato chips. The main benefit they got is the readymade infrastructure availability due to which their cost was reduced to a large extent. They operated there for around 22 years.

Balaji Wafers then set up their new fully automatic plant near Metoda G.I.D.C. which is in the area of the village Vajdi, outside the town of Rajkot.[3]

Market share

Balaji's share of the local potato and vegetable chips market[4] grew to 13.7% in 2012, from 9.5% in 2008, according to Euromonitor. Balaji also dominates in the western market with a share of 71%. In its home state Gujarat, it has a share of 90%.[5] The Economic Times recognized Balaji Wafers as 'Sultan of Wafers'.[6]

Balaji Wafers is also a member of the Snacks Food Association.[7]

References
  1. "Bikaneri Namkeen hits $1 billion sweet spot". Economic Times. Retrieved 2019-04-08.
  2. "Madison wins Balaji Wafers' media duties worth Rs 20 crore". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2019-02-14.
  3. "1". Share-pdf.com. Archived from the original on 2014-04-19. Retrieved 2014-05-11.
  4. "Balaji Wafers: Building A Rs 2,000 Crore-plus Brand With Stubbornness". Forbes India.
  5. "PepsiCo said to be exploring offer for Balaji Wafers". Mint. 2013-08-20. Retrieved 2014-05-11.
  6. Shramana Ganguly Mehta (2009-12-23). "Balaji Wafers a name to reckon with in Gujarat snacks market - Economic Times". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2014-05-11.
  7. "Balaji Wafers: Member of FSNM".
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