Tata Tea will take JV route to China
Daily News & Analysis — September 2, 2006

After making four big-ticket acquisitions in the last one year, Tata Tea is looking for a joint venture in China. "We are looking to produce and market green tea and instant tea in Chinese market through a joint venture partner," said Percy T Siganporia, MD, Tata Tea at an analyst meet in the city on Friday. Besides, the company's subsidiary Tata Coffee is planning to enter the African market. "We are looking for base in Uganda where coffee is the main export earner," said M H Ashraff, managing director, Tata Coffee. It is also planning to take the brands of Eight O'Clock Coffee to Russia with an instant coffee product.

Tata Tea acquired the US-based Eight O'Clock Coffee a few months back for $109 million. The company also announced acquiring 30 per cent stake in US-based enhanced water maker Glaceau with an investment of $677 million a couple of days back. RK Krishna Kumar, vice-chairman of Tata Tea said, "Presently the focus of the company is to grow it in the US market, but in two to three years time, if it goes international, then India would be the potential market." "The acquisition by Tata Tea has broadened our vision for the health and wellness market," said J Darius Bikoff, founder and CEO, Glaceau.