Latest news with #Goodricke
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Goodricke plans foray into FMCG and hospitality biz
Kolkata: Goodricke Group, one of India's leading tea groups and a subsidiary of UK-based Camellia Plc, is planning to restructure its operations and diversify into FMCG and hospitality businesses. It would sell off two more of its gardens, along with two already sold, to fund the upcoming projects. In hospitality, Goodricke has identified assets in Kolkata, Dooars and Darjeeling for conversion into hotels and is in talks with leading hospitality groups. Goodricke vice-chairman and MD A N Singh, speaking to TOI after its 49th AGM on Tuesday, said it has big plans to become an FMCG company. This would include milk products, horticulture products and white label products, which would be procured by the company and packaged and marketed under the Goodricke brand along with tea. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Singh said they have started discussions with 2-3 leading hospitality groups for identification of property and management contracts for tea tourism. "We will monetise some assets in Kolkata, Dooars and other areas," he added. Some companies like Luxmi Tea have tied up with the Taj Group in Makaibari. Singh said they have identified one property in Mirik where the number of rooms would be increased from 6 to 20 and then handed over for management to a leading group. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "We will do the infrastructure," he said. Replying to shareholders, Singh added that the company would also do a lot of horticulture crops, including turmeric, garlic and ginger. It would set up a piggery as well. The Bengal govt has allowed 30% of garden area for alternative use while Assam has granted 5%, he pointed out. "We are in talks with Bengal govt to uproot some non-tea growing areas for alternative businesses," he said. Elaborating on restructuring of the tea business, Singh said that after selling two gardens for Rs 44.6 crore, the board has approved the selling of two more gardens in Darjeeling and Dooars. The company is likely to get Rs 25 crore from this. "We might choose a couple of gardens more to finance our diversification projects," he added. Goodricke, along with its sister concerns in India, has 27 gardens; it alone has 18 gardens. The production is 13.7 million kg in Dooars, 2.9 mkg in Assam and 0.4 mkg in Darjeeling. Goodricke reported a financial turnaround in FY 2024–25 by posting a revenue of Rs 929 crore, up from Rs 824 crore in the previous year. The net profit stood at Rs 20 crore, reversing a loss of Rs 69.3 crore in FY24. Goodricke chairman Stephen Buckland, in his address, expressed concern over climate change. "Risks persist in the form of climate variability, increasing regulatory requirements and competition from both established brands and local packagers," he said.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Goodricke eyes alternate crops, tea tourism for future diversification
Following a turnaround in FY25, Goodricke to explore turmeric, dairy and tea tourism using non-tea land, while continuing to strengthen its core tea business Listen to This Article Tea producing company Goodricke Group, the listed subsidiary of UK-based Camellia Plc, is looking to diversify into alternative crops and tea tourism, leveraging its non-tea land holdings across tea estates. Addressing shareholders at the company's 49th annual general meeting on Tuesday, Chairman Stephen Charles Buckland said, 'We are exploring diversified agriculture and hospitality ventures using our rich land assets, with early projects in turmeric, garlic, ginger, mushrooms, and a dairy with a piggery in development.' 'Our phased entry into tea tourism using our world-class tea gardens and estates as a base to offer guests a truly exclusive and memorable experience
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Majumdar: A passionate promoter of chess passes away
1 2 3 Kolkata: Indian chess lost one of its greatest supporters with the passing of Soumen Majumdar in the early hours on Wednesday in the city. Majumdar was 69 and is survived by wife and a son. Very few organisers had such an impact on the sports and the players as that of Majumder. Associated closely with the Alekhine Chess Club in the city, Majumder was instrumental in organising India's first GM tournament — Goodricke International tournament — for more than a decade. He also brought the Asian Individual Championship to Kolkata in 2003. Unlike many other organisers, it was always players first for Majumder, who extended a helping hand to them with a smile. That's why he remained the loving 'Soumen uncle' to most young chess players who went on to shine at the world stage. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata He also served the All India Chess Federation as its treasurer. Majumder was truly a Mr Dependable every player used to look for while in the city and that included international stars from former world champion Vasily Smyslov, Nigel Short to India's Viswanathan Anand, Dibyendu Barua, K Sasikiran, P Harikrishna, Surya Sekhar Ganguly, Sandipan Chanda and others. Young generation GMs from the city like Diptayan Ghosh, Sayantan Das, Koustav Chatterjee and others always remember Majumder's help during their formative days as chess players. "Soumen Majumdar was one of the most enthusiastic organisers," Anand posted on X. "He always thought big and was passionate about the game. When I landed in Kolkata after winning Regio Emilia, the motorcade from the tarmac to my hotel is a memory that is one of my most cherished. The Goodricke events were a landmark event in those… His smiling face and enthusiasm will always be special." Barua too fondly remembered Majumder's contribution. "He was one of the greatest promoters and true enthusiasts of chess in India. A visionary and passionate organiser, Soumenda played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian chess scene during the 1980s and 1990s, when international exposure was rare and difficult to come by for the Indian players. "His relentless efforts gave Indian players a platform to showcase their talent and gain invaluable experience," Barua wrote on social media.
