India’s food-processing industry is embracing automation, advanced processing technologies and integrated supply chains to improve productivity, ensure consistent quality and strengthen global competitiveness. In this interview with Rakesh Rao, Ashish Khandelwal, Managing Director, BL Agro Industries Ltd, outlines the company’s manufacturing transformation, sustainability initiatives and Rs 16.60 billon expansion project supporting its Rs 300 billion revenue ambition by 2030.

How has manufacturing enabled BL Agro’s transition from edible oils to a diversified FMCG enterprise, and what are the key pillars of its manufacturing strategy?

Manufacturing has been the cornerstone of BL Agro’s success. Our journey began with edible oil manufacturing before expanding into a broader food and FMCG portfolio. During this transition, our manufacturing capabilities evolved from being product-centric to becoming more integrated, technology-led and scalable.

Our philosophy is simple: Manufacturing is not merely about producing at scale; it is about building capabilities to consistently deliver on our promises of quality, safety and value to consumers across product categories. We have achieved this through sustained investments in modern infrastructure, automation, process controls, quality systems and, equally importantly, people.

Our manufacturing strategy rests on four key pillars: automation and technology, food safety and quality assurance, scalability to meet consumer demand, and supply-chain integration. Manufacturing will increasingly become a strategic differentiator as we work towards our ambition of becoming a Rs 300 billion enterprise by 2030.

What advanced processing and automation technologies have been deployed at BL Agro’s Bareilly facility, and how have they improved productivity, quality and operational efficiency?

We have made significant investments in our Bareilly facility, guided by one principle: Technology must deliver better outcomes for consumers and greater efficiency for the business. These investments include advanced automated processing and packaging systems, incorporating European-origin machinery, with a strong emphasis on process precision, automation and quality control.

These technologies have improved consistency across critical manufacturing parameters while significantly reducing manual intervention in repetitive operations. Automation has also strengthened our quality-assurance capabilities by enabling more systematic monitoring and control of manufacturing processes.

In an industry where consistency, hygiene and traceability are critical, efficient process management is essential. Our focus is on creating an integrated manufacturing environment where technology, people and processes work together to deliver higher productivity, consistent product quality and uncompromising food safety.

How will automation, artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies reshape food manufacturing operations, workforce requirements and industry competitiveness?

The next phase of food manufacturing will be driven by the convergence of automation, data and human expertise. We are already witnessing automation replacing repetitive, high-volume and precision-dependent activities, while data-driven systems are enabling manufacturers to gain deeper insights into their operations.

Artificial intelligence can further strengthen these capabilities by helping companies identify operational patterns, anticipate maintenance requirements, optimise production planning and improve demand forecasting.

What are the key manufacturing challenges in scaling packaged and value-added food production while maintaining quality, consistency and food safety?

The biggest challenge is ensuring that increased production volumes do not compromise product quality. As businesses scale up, many brands struggle to maintain consistent quality standards across their operations.

Manufacturers must therefore establish systems in which quality and food safety are integrated into every stage of production. Process standardisation and robust quality-control mechanisms become increasingly critical as businesses expand their product portfolios and geographical reach.

How will BL Agro’s Rs 16.60 billion greenfield agro-processing project in Bareilly strengthen manufacturing capabilities?

Our ambition to become a Rs 300 billion enterprise by 2030 will require more than revenue growth. It demands strategic investments in manufacturing capacity, technology, brands, people, supply chains and innovation.

The Rs 16.60 billion greenfield integrated agro-processing project in Bareilly represents a significant milestone in BL Agro’s growth journey. This investment reflects our commitment to developing the manufacturing infrastructure required to build a large, diversified and future-ready food enterprise.

The project is not merely an expansion of manufacturing capacity; it is a strategic investment in the infrastructure needed to support BL Agro’s next phase of growth.

How can smart manufacturing, automation and integrated supply chains enhance the global competitiveness of India’s food-processing industry?

Adopting smarter technologies is essential for progress, and the food processing industry is no exception. Smart manufacturing, automation and integrated supply chains present significant opportunities for India’s food processing sector.

By effectively leveraging these capabilities, Indian food brands can strengthen their competitive advantage in global markets.

The future is not simply about building larger factories. It is about developing smarter, more connected and resilient food-processing ecosystems that can support sustainable growth and international competitiveness.

What initiatives has BL Agro undertaken to improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions and integrate sustainability into its manufacturing operations?

Sustainability must be an integral part of our decision-making process. As we expand our manufacturing capabilities, improving resource efficiency becomes essential from both environmental and business perspectives. For us, sustainability is not merely a compliance exercise; it is embedded in how we conduct our business.

Manufacturing operations require a continuous energy supply, which can contribute to carbon emissions. Over the past few years, we have consciously worked towards balancing operational requirements with environmental responsibility.

Our in-house packaging plant has transitioned to 100 per cent solar energy to meet its energy requirements. Additionally, BL Agro’s Bareilly manufacturing facility is equipped with advanced air-purification systems designed to monitor and help reduce emissions.

Beyond our manufacturing operations, we work closely with farming communities to encourage sustainable agricultural practices. These initiatives are important to building a more sustainable future for our business and the broader agricultural ecosystem.

What are BL Agro’s key priorities for capacity expansion, product diversification and technology adoption over the next five years?

Over the next five years, we will continue investing in manufacturing capacity, modern processing infrastructure and advanced technologies. Our objective is to enhance productivity while maintaining stringent quality and food-safety standards.

We aim to transform BL Agro into a significantly larger and more diversified food enterprise. Our vision of becoming a Rs 300 billion enterprise by 2030 provides a clear direction, but the strategy and investments that enable us to achieve this ambition are equally important.