Ravi Prasad in Calcutta on Monday. A Telegraph picture

Calcutta, May 31: Himalaya Drug Company (HDC), with a turnover of Rs 350 crore, expects a 25 per cent growth in the current fiscal, with exports growing by over 65 per cent.

Speaking at the launch of Shahicool and Herbal Gripe Water, president and CEO Ravi Prasad said the company would introduce new products to capture the fast moving health goods segment.

“The consumer health division registered a Rs 45-crore turnover last year and we expect an over 50 per cent growth this year,” said R. V. Raman, business head of the division.

The company manufactures and sells products under the Himalaya brand in pharmaceuticals, consumer health, personal care and animal health segments.

In order to meet its growth target, the Bangalore-based firm is setting up a second manufacturing facility at Rs 165 crore. The unit is expected to be operational by the end of 2005.

“We have already acquired a 200-acre plot in Bangalore,” said Prasad. “The unit will manufacture the entire range of Himalaya products. We are finalising a model that will satisfy our requirements for the next five years.”

HDC plans to expand its retail network by increasing the number of exclusive outlets from 57 to 100 by March 2005. Shop-in-shop outlets will also be increased from 125 to 500.

“The retail segment is fast growing and revenues will start flowing in after the expansion,” said Prasad.