Brands
Som Distilleries to establish Rs 600 crore facility in Uttar Pradesh
MUMBAI: Som Distilleries and Breweries Ltd has announced plans for a significant expansion into Uttar Pradesh through its subsidiary, Woodpecker Greenagri Nutrients Pvt Ltd.
The company will invest approximately Rs 600 crores to develop a greenfield project in Khimsepur, Farrukhabad district. The integrated facility will include a brewery, distillery, and additional manufacturing operations.
The Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA) has allocated a 40-acre land parcel for the project. Construction is expected to commence following regulatory approvals from the state government.
In a disclosure to stock exchanges, the company noted that this expansion into Uttar Pradesh—India’s most populous state—represents a strategic move to establish a truly nationwide presence. The company cited the state’s size, demographics, and business-friendly industrial policies as key factors behind the investment decision.
Som Distilleries, known for brands including Hunter beer and Black Fort whisky, has historically maintained a strong presence in central India. This new facility marks its most significant expansion into northern India to date.
Brands
Nestlé India posts Rs 45,641 crore profit before tax in FY26
Strong cash flow of Rs 50,475 crore offsets higher costs, payouts.
MUMBAI: If there’s one thing brewing stronger than coffee this year, it’s Nestlé India’s balance sheet. The FMCG major closed FY26 with a solid financial performance, serving up steady growth even as costs and cash outflows kept the pressure simmering. For the year ended March 31, 2026, the company reported a profit before tax of Rs 45,641 crore, up from Rs 43,161 crore in the previous year. The numbers reflect resilience in core operations, supported by a strong consumption backbone across domestic and export markets.
Cash, meanwhile, was anything but idle. Nestlé India generated Rs 50,475 crore in net cash from operating activities, a sharp jump from Rs 29,345 crore last year highlighting robust underlying demand and improved working capital efficiency. Inventory reductions alone contributed Rs 2,809 crore, while trade payables rose by Rs 5,878 crore, adding further liquidity support.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. On the investing side, the company deployed Rs 8,297 crore towards property, plant and equipment, even as overall investing cash outflow stood at Rs 6,236 crore. Financing activities saw a significant drain, with Rs 31,794 crore flowing out driven largely by dividend payouts of Rs 23,139 crore and repayment of short-term borrowings.
The balance sheet tells a story of expansion with caution. Total assets rose to Rs 1,31,824 crore from Rs 1,21,933 crore, while equity climbed to Rs 51,569 crore, reflecting improved reserves and retained earnings. Cash and cash equivalents surged to Rs 13,205 crore, a sharp rise from Rs 761 crore a year ago, underscoring stronger liquidity despite heavy outflows.
Operationally, depreciation and amortisation expenses increased to Rs 6,992 crore, while finance costs and provisions continued to shape the cost structure. At the same time, working capital movements especially in inventories and receivables played a key role in boosting cash generation.
The broader takeaway? Nestlé India’s FY26 performance is less about headline growth and more about financial muscle. With strong cash flows cushioning rising investments and payouts, the company appears to be balancing expansion with discipline keeping its books as carefully measured as its recipes.
