MAM
Danone India appoints Shashi Ranjan as MD
Mumbai: Danone, a global leader in the food and beverage industry, announced the appointment of Shashi Ranjan as the managing director for Danone India, effective 10 May 2024. With an extensive background in the consumer goods industry and a proven track record of leadership, Ranjan brings valuable expertise to further drive Danone’s growth and innovation in the dynamic Indian market.
In his new role, Ranjan will spearhead Danone’s strategic initiatives in India, focusing on expanding the company’s presence, strengthening partnerships, and fostering sustainable growth. Leveraging his deep understanding of consumer preferences and market dynamics, he is committed to steering Danone India towards its global vision of delivering health through food to the people of India.
Ranjan brings over two decades of experience in corporate leadership, strategic management, and organizational transformation. His robust leadership skills, strategic acumen, and passion for fostering positive change make him an exemplary fit to spearhead Danone’s operations in India.
Commenting on the appointment, Danone president of AMEA Christian Stammkoetter stated, “We are thrilled to welcome Shashi Ranjan to lead our business in India. His extensive experience and proven track record in the consumer goods industry makes him the perfect candidate to propel Danone’s growth and innovation agenda in this important market. We are confident that under his leadership, Danone India will continue to flourish and positively impact the lives of millions of consumers across the country.”
Before joining Danone India, Ranjan served as president & country head of Sebamed in India, leading the brand’s growth and market expansion. Previously, he held key roles at Johnson & Johnson, McKinsey & Company, and IBM Consulting, driving market entry strategies and business transformations. Prior to this, he served the Indian Government in General administration and strategy roles across different parts of India
Ranjan’s leadership ethos fosters innovation and continuous improvement, cultivating an environment where every day presents an opportunity to learn and inspire. His appointment marks a promising new chapter in Danone India’s journey towards growth and innovation.
Brands
Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
