Manish Bandlish steps down as Mother Dairy chief

MUMBAI: Manish Bandlish has resigned as managing director of Mother Dairy, ending a three-and-a-half-year run steering one of India’s biggest milk brands. His tenure will conclude on 30 November as he pursues opportunities outside the National Dairy Development Board-owned company.

Bandlish joined Mother Dairy in March 2021, piloting the brand through volatile input costs and fierce market competition. The Delhi-based supplier, which posted a turnover of Rs 17,500 crore last fiscal, confirmed the exit and thanked Bandlish for his contribution to the company’s expansion.

Until a successor is named, the deputy managing director will shoulder leadership duties under the board’s oversight.

Mother Dairy moves more than 50 lakh litres of milk a day across India, with over 35 lakh litres flowing into Delhi-NCR alone. The portfolio spans dairy under the Mother Dairy label, edible oils as Dhara and fresh and frozen produce as Safal, alongside a more recent push into bakery.

Founded in 1974 under Operation Flood, the vast dairy overhaul that made India milk-secure, the company now operates nine owned processing plants, four horticulture facilities and 16 associated edible-oil units.

As the milk market heats up and rivals jostle for share, Mother Dairy’s next act demands decisive leadership and no sour notes.