Johnson & Johnson investing another $100 million (Rs650 crore) its upcoming India's largest facility near Hyderabad in Telangana.

HYDERABAD: Global consumer healthcare, medical devices and pharmaceuticals giant Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is looking at investing another $100 million (Rs650 crore) to more than double its annual production capacity at its upcoming India's largest facility near Hyderabad in Telangana.

Currently, the American multinational is building its India's largest facility at Kothur near Hyderabad to produce 18,000 tons of baby care, personal hygiene and skincare products involving an investment of $85 million (Rs550 crore) to be operational by 2016. The global giant, which has been witnessing robust growth in sales of its feminine hygiene products under Stay free brand and oral care product under Listerine brand, currently has two manufacturing facilities in India at Mumbai and Baddi.

Employing more than 3,000 people across its facilities, the company focuses on consumer healthcare, medical devices and pharmaceuticals in India. "Johnson & Johnson, which had acquired 48 acres of private land for the ongoing project, is looking at more than doubling the capacities at the same location," a senior company official told ET. 

The official, who did not want to be identified said, "While the land now in possession is sufficient for the proposed expansion, the company may look at seeking land from the Telangana government for future purposes."

The Telangana facility, involving many innovative elements including energy efficiency, water consumption patterns and waste management in a sustainable manner will add new product lines as a part of the proposed expansion, said the same company official. "We chose Telangana for our country's largest manufacturing facility to cater to the more than an ticipated growth in our business in South Indian market, which currently accounts for more than a third of our India business. The ground works for doubling the capacities would begin in a quarter or so."

Telangana's industries secretary Arvind Kumar confirmed increasing interest by Johnson & Johnson to invest in the state but refused to divulge details. 

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