The growing popularity of alternative therapies and medicines is a global phenomenon – an opportunity that Global Merchants is gearing up to tap for its upcoming consumer market venture
Global Merchants, a leading manufacturer of herbal extracts, essential oils and organic products, has firmed up plans to target the consumer segment, with a series of cosmetic and Ayurveda-based products. So far, the focus of the 16-year old company had been on processing extracts and essential oils and supplying these as per the precise requirements of product manufacturers in different industries across the globe.
The retail products the company desires to make, will essentially be Ayurvedic capsules and tablets, and skincare and haircare products. While the capsules and tablets range will address a number of health concerns, such as kidney stones, piles, obesity, and liver dysfunction, the skincare and haircare products will include natural shampoos, and creams, among others. Capsules and tablets of several Ayurvedic concoctions like Ashwagandha and Brahmi, are on the offing, and they will be supplied to Ayurvedic doctors and clinics worldwide. The skincare and haircare products, on the other hand, will be supplied to salons and spa segments, informs Sakina Jamnagarwalaa, Business Development Manager, Global Merchants.
Vital credentials in place
“The products we manufacture won’t have Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), but will be made of 100 percent natural ingredients for which there is a high demand from countries across the world. For instance, Global Merchants has already acquired the essential certifications from the German authorities for its formulations,” elaborates Jamnagarwalaa.
What should stand the company in good stead are the various vital certifications it has succeeded in obtaining over the years, such as USDA Organic Certification, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Certification, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Certification, Lacon Quality Certification, and Halal Certification, just to name of few.
The rare essentials
Presently, exports account for the company’s 50 percent business, while the remaining 50 percent comes from the domestic market. It caters to the requirements of manufacturers in different sectors. For instance, it supplies liquid extracts to the cosmetics industry; spice and ginger oils, and garlic extracts to the food industry; and essential oils to the cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food industries. There are no standard products up for sale, rather, each product is made as per the distinct requirements of individual customers, explains Jamnagarwalaa.
The ISO 9001:2015 certified Global Merchants has grown steadily over the years, and today its essential oils, herbal extracts, PG extracts and organic products, are used by the health care, personal care, nutritional and dietary supplement, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, functional food & beverage, pet food, and sports nutrition sectors, states the company website. The Mumbai-based company has its manufacturing facility in Navi Mumbai, offices in the USA and Australia, and a distribution tie-up in Europe.
A basket of offerings
Global Merchants boasts to be flexible enough to cater to both small orders for customers who are developing new products, and for those who require container loads to help make their outputs in large quantities. The products are supplied in bulk or packaged forms as per the requirements of the customers and also, with private labels.
The company, founded by its director Moiz Khorakiwala, used to focus only on raw herbs and spices till five years back. Subsequently, it took a quantum leap to include different type of extracts and essential oils. It also grew from a two-person company to a 15-member company with a list of loyal customers from across the world. It expects its foray into the retail market to take it to the next level of growth.