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Isdell Admits Pepsi Ahead in India |
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Monday, 24 March 2008 |
NEW DELHI: Coca Cola Chairman Neville Isdell said that rival Pepsi is slightly ahead but the Atlanta-based company is determined to push India among its top five markets on the strength of its "advantage portfolio" here.
"By the way, Pepsi is slightly ahead of us. But the issue is total business. Cola-to-cola, we are ahead. Every sub-category like lemon and orange, we are ahead. Four out of top five brands are ours," said Isdell, Chairman and CEO of Coca Cola.
Recalling the strategy adopted by the company way back in 1993 of buying Limca, Thumps Up and Maaza from Ramesh Chauhan, Isdell said "it's a real mixture of three real champion local brands along with Coca Cola, Fanta and Sprite as global international brands has put us in a leadership position."
Asked whether an Indian heading the rival company (Indra Nooyi as CEO of Pepsi) gives advantage to Pepsi, he stated that, "we do not have a formula that says we have to have this nationality in this country because only locals are able to manage the business."
"These things are situational... What is the skill that is needed and decision is taken," he said.
Isdell, who is in India on a personal-cum-educational trip, has on his agenda a meet-and-greet with all Coke employees to make them feel an integral part of the overall global team.
The company, which has seen six straight quarters of growth, is well positioned to encompass India into Coke's top five markets over the next few years, with Isdell announcing a plan to pump in about Rs 1,000 crore (US$250 million) to expand operations here.
(C) 2008 Asia Pulse Pte Ltd.
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