Savory Snack manufacturer Balaji Wafers plans new factory in Karnataka, India
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Balaji Wafers is one of the larger potato chips producing and distributing companies in India, with a high market share, especially in Gujarat.
Balaji Wafers is planning to set up a wafers and namkeen manufacturing unit at the Kanagale Industrial Area in the Belagavi district of Karnataka. The project will spread over 20 acres of land parcel. Balaji Wafers is awaiting the necessary clearances for the project. The contractor and machinery supplier are still being finalized.
As of now, the land acquisition process for the project is underway. The company expects to commence the work on the project by Q3/2023. Currently, Balaji has two manufacturing units in Gujarat state and expansion for the north and south region .
Balaji Wafers began as a micro-retail enterprise in 1974, managed by the Virani brothers at Astron Cinema, Rajkot. By 1982, spurred by the initiative of the Virani brothers, this grew into a home-based manufacturing venture. A decade later, the brothers set up an international standard automatic plant in Gujarat, with steps to increase capacity and quality. In 2000, Balaji Wafers installed its first fully automatic plant. By 2014, Balaji Wafers captured a 70% market share in the snacks market.
Today, the company employs more than 1800 personnel in their Rajkot and Valsad manufacturing facilities.Balaji can manufacture 100,000 kg of potato wafers and 500,000 kg of savoury snacks per day.