Century old, Gujarat's well known brand Sosyo is in preparations to take on the likes of Coca Cola and Pepsi. Surat based Hajoori and Sons, maker of the much loved soft drink, has plans to raid into the US in the near future.
Established in 1923, Sosyo enjoys an important status among its aficionados and has not only managed to keep thriving, but also emerge stronger with time despite cut throat competition. The firm posted Rs 100 crore sales this year which indicates a 100 per cent growth. Hajoori & Sons is already exporting to over 10 countries. Partner Abbas Hajoori said, “Over the next two years, we intend to open two franchisees in the US, one each in Zambia and Dubai.”
The company claims Sosyo's value at around $ 100 million and said it plans to set up bottling plants overseas for a bigger market with an investment of Rs 120 crore. “First we will go to Middle East, then to US and other western markets. Singapore is also our plans,” Hajoori's son and company director Ali said. “We will need Rs 40-50 crore in early 2016 and the balance in 2017. Post expansion, our capacity will grow by 300 per cent.”
Hajoori, with a 29 per cent market share in Gujarat, also eyes a pan-India coverage and phase-wise presence by launching its products in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, and later to Delhi, UP, Punjab and Uttarakhand. Sosyo currently boasts of 1 lakh outlets, 500 distributors and 700 employees.
