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Ten years after the Maggi noodles crisis, Nestlé India has emerged stronger, with turnover rising 2.5 times to ₹20,100 crore in FY25 from ₹8,100 crore in 2015, according to its latest annual report.
The turnaround coincides with the end of Chairman and Managing Director Suresh Narayanan’s tenure, who took charge in August 2015 after Maggi was briefly banned for alleged excess lead content. Under his leadership, the brand rebounded and now holds over 60% of the instant noodles market in India—the largest Maggi market globally.
“We were once seen only as a Maggi company,” Narayanan told shareholders. “Since then, we’ve launched over 150 new products, now accounting for 7% of sales.”
Over the decade, Nestlé India added 1.3 million retail points, reaching 5.2 million outlets. Its rural distribution network, driven by a “RUrban” strategy, now covers over 28,000 touchpoints across more than 200,000 villages.
Market capitalisation has surged nearly fourfold, and operating profits have risen 13.5%. The company significantly boosted capital expenditure—from 1.8% to 10% of sales—investing in new facilities, including a Sanand (Gujarat) plant, and planning a tenth factory in Odisha.
Beyond Maggi, brands like KITKAT and NESCAFÉ have seen substantial growth. KITKAT is now India’s fastest-growing chocolate brand and its largest global market.
Despite the expansion, permanent staff fell 3.8% to 8,419. Median salaries rose 4.9%, with non-managerial staff receiving larger hikes than management.
Manish Tiwary will take over as MD from August 1, 2025, after joining earlier this year. He received ₹29.94 million in FY25, plus a one-time ₹151.96 million payout for forfeited incentives from his previous role.
(Source: PTI)
