<only decent pic of the original packaging; the news ones are UGLY>
Amrit Agro exits ethnic snacks biz
NEW DELHI, Dec. 20 2002 http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/2002/12/21/stories/2002122101350600.htm
THE former parent of hugely successful Uncle Chipps potato chips, Amrit Agro Industries Ltd, (AAIL) has exited its traditional snacks business.
Following the sale of Uncle Chipps to Pepsico's snacks arm, Frito Lays - AAIL, the erstwhile Uncle Chipps Co. Ltd, has stopped production of its `Yumkeenz' brand of traditional namkeens, due to intense competition from the domestic unorganised snacks segment.
The decision to exit the traditional snacks business comes almost a year after AAIL, or the then Uncle Chipps Co, had sold its immensely popular chips brand to Pepsi's snacks division, Frito Lays, in late 2000.
Confirming the development Mr Ashwini Bajaj, Joint Managing Director, Amrit Banaspati Co. Ltd, told Business Line that Amrit Agro, an Amrit group company, had exited the traditional namkeens business earlier this year, due to the competitive unorganised sector.
The capital-intensive snacks business was not yielding returns due to the unorganised sector which accounts for 90 per cent of the chips segment and about 75 per cent of the traditional snacks segment, he pointed out.
"The snacks business was about Rs 3 crore, when we exited," he said.
`Yumkeenz' comprised seven variants of snacks including Pudina aloo bhujia, Bikaner aloo bhujia, Masala aloo bhujia, Khatta meetha mixture, Moong dal, roasted peanut and Mungfali masala mazedar.
Amrit Agro has its manufacturing unit for traditional snacks at Noida and Mr Bajaj pointed out that the company would sell its machinery and re-orient itself to get into the agro-procurement or processing business.
"The company and personnel will remain with us and we will continue to be in the agro sector, only, we will redefine our activity.
At present we are studying the prospects for the storage and transportation of fruits and vegetables and may be even simple processing."
According to food-processing industry estimates, up to 40 per cent of fruits and vegetables are wasted in the country due to bad storage and treatment facilities.
Was talking to my friend from India today and talking about how sad it is that 'Uncle Chips' no longer exists/in the form we remember. I remember going back to India after 4 years in 2008 and there was absolutely no trace of it! One of the biggest losses I've felt. Oddly, this snack held such a big portion of my childhood memories. Papri Chat was my favourite!
UNCLE CHIPPS – ‘BOLE MERE LIPS, I LOVE UNCLE CHIPPS’
Brand History
Launched in 1992, Uncle Chipps was a pioneer in branded potato chips in India.
The brand was acquired from Amrit Agro Ltd. in 2000 by Frito-Lay India. After the acquisition, the hugely popular brand has grown from strength to strength and has built a powerful connection with consumers. Uncle Chipps is warm, playful, lively, companionable and traditional at heart, just like the good-natured uncle everyone in the family relates to and no family gathering is complete without!
Brand Advantage
Quality Standards
The production process begins on farms in select regions across India where the best potatoes are grown specifically for Frito-Lay to make great-tasting chips. Upon the potatoes’ arrival at plants, it can take as little as 24 hours for the chips to be made. Lay’s Chips are made using the following simple process:
- Wash – the potatoes are thoroughly bathed in water.
- Peel – next, we gently peel the skin off the potatoes, even as the flavour remains intact.
- Slice – the potatoes are thinly sliced and rinsed again to remove any remaining starch.
- Cook – the slices are cooked to a crispy crunch in one of the healthiest oils one could have, rice bran oil.
- Season – finally, the chips are topped off with a mouthwatering sprinkle of salt or seasoning.
The potatoes have now become delicious chips and are packed and delivered to a store near you.
QUICK BRAND FACTS
- Uncle Chips was launched in 1992.
- Frito-Lay India took over Uncle Chipps in 2000.
- Pioneer in branded potato chips in India.
http://pepsicoindia.co.in/brands/uncle-chipps.html
Uncle chips's relevance in a kid's life was that of a jolly uncle who makes parties,family functions and long car drives bearable,if not fun-filled.
It's popular jingle ‘BOLE MERE LIPS, I LOVE UNCLE CHIPPS’ (My lips say I love Uncle Chips) was taken to heart by kids
Uncle Chips was acquired in 2000 by the multinational Frito-Lay India.Since then,Uncle chips has kept a low profile.
Source: http://samosapedia.com/e/uncle+chips
Comments