AVA Group, manufacturers and marketers of the Medimix brand of soaps and personal care products in southern India, is expanding into the foods business by acquiring, the Kerala-based Melam brand of masalas, curry powders, spices, pickles, jams and sauces, rice and other products from M V J Foods (India) Pvt. Ltd.
The acquisition, through AVA Condiments LLP, a newly established wholly-owned subsidiary of AVA Cholayil Health Care Pvt. Ltd, will include M V J Foods’ brands as well as its manufacturing facility at Kochi.
According to a press note issued by the company, Melam is one of the oldest brands in Kerala, started in 1992 and has a strong domestic and export presence.Its products are exported to the Middle-East and Far East countries, the US, UK, Singapore and Australia.
A V Anoop, CMD, AVA Group, said, “We are glad to expand into the food business. Both the AVA Group’s Medimix brand and Melam are household names built on quality and social commitment. We would like to build on this heritage and also expand into newer markets in India and overseas.” He added, “In India, initially we would like to expand into Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.”
Dr Kurian John Melamparambil, CMD, M V J Foods (India) Pvt. Ltd, said, “Melam has been a pioneering brand that has connected deeply with Keralites and Malayalees across the country and overseas. The AVA Group and M V J Foods’ share common traits, especially a focus on manufacturing quality products. The acquisition by the AVA Group will add to its strength and reach in other geographies.”
The inspiration behind Melam is the late Thangam Philip, a food, catering and nutrition expert, whose recipes are carried on each of Melam’s product packs.
The company has been awarded the Indian spices logo and the Spice House Certificate as a mark of distinction by the Spices Board, ministry of commerce, Government of India.
