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| Boban Kollannur, Foster Group, Thrissur |
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In the wake of Bhopal Gas Tragedy, a young man conducted an art exhibition at Abu Dhabi. His friends, industrialists in the Gulf, commented that it was easier to draw a picture than to run a business. The young man, who had worked as Materials Manager and Personnel Manager in various companies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi took up the challenge. Thus with the capital from 11 Non Resident Indians, Boban Kollannur ventured into the biscuit business.
Today his Foster Group in Thrissur manufactures 40 varieties of biscuits and 20 types of sweets. After understanding the market, he enlisted more than one distributor per district, thus ensuring deeper penetration of Foster products into the rural areas.
Next came product diversification. They were the first to come out with a ‘honey’ biscuit. Another product was sugarfree biscuit, which Boben says was the 1st in India at that time.
The company, in collaboration with Defence Food Research Laboratory, was able to produce ‘High Protein’ and ‘Fibre Rich’ products. Foster is the only company in Kerala manufacturing ice cream cones and wafers.
A decade long such effort at producing quality goods have resulted in many honours coming his way. Notable among them are Best Industrialist award of the State (1999), National award (2000), Kerala State Productivity award (1999-2000), State Energy Management award (2000-2001), Highest Central Excise Payee award (2001) and Best Technology User award of CFTRI.
Courtesy: O.K.Muraleekrishnan, Mathrubhumi, October 7, 2002
Contributed by: Administrator
