Tirucochi at 19:06, 6 October 2025

2025-10-06T19:06:13Z

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{{short description|Indian bottled water company}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd.
| logo = Bisleri logo.svg
| logo_size =
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| image =
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| trading_name =
| former_name = Parle Exports Pvt. Ltd.
| type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| traded_as =
| ISIN =
| industry = Beverages
| predecessor =  [[Parle Agro|Parle Group]]
| founded = {{Start date|1969}}
| founder = Ramesh Chauhan
| hq_location =
| hq_location_city = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]]
| hq_location_country = India
| num_locations =
| num_locations_year = 
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = Ramesh Chauhan (Chairman)<br />Angelo George (CEO)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/food/new-ceo-of-bisleri-international-tasked-to-take-business-to-next-level/articleshow/70314943.cms|title=New CEO of Bisleri International tasked to take business to next level|date=2019-07-21|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-12-01|archive-date=2019-11-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115071815/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/food/new-ceo-of-bisleri-international-tasked-to-take-business-to-next-level/articleshow/70314943.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><br />Jayanti Chauhan (Director)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.businessworld.in/article/Chip-Of-The-Old-Block/07-03-2017-114026/|title = Chip of the Old Block|access-date=28 May 2020 |work=Business World}}</ref><br />Zainab Chauhan (Director)
| products = Mineral water<br />Carbonated drinks
| brands = {{hlist|Bisleri|Vedica<ref>{{cite news |title=Bisleri to take mineral water brand Vedica overseas |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/Bisleri-to-take-mineral-water-brand-Vedica-overseas/article20644313.ece |access-date=24 April 2022 |work=The Hindu Business Line |date=1 August 2013 |language=en |archive-date=24 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424122929/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/Bisleri-to-take-mineral-water-brand-Vedica-overseas/article20644313.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>|Limonata<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sikdar |first1=Shubhomoy |title=Bisleri banking on new recipe but intense competition may make going tough |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/bisleri-banking-on-new-recipe-but-intense-competition-may-make-going-tough-120021202006_1.html |access-date=24 April 2022 |work=Business Standard India |date=12 February 2020}}</ref>|Rev|Pop|Spyci Jeera<ref>{{cite news |title=Bisleri expands portfolio of carbonated beverages |url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/bisleri-international-expands-portfolio-of-carbonated-beverages-as-rising-temperatures-drive-demand-for-cold-drinks-in-india-11685435211286.html |access-date=20 May 2024 |work=mint |date=30 May 2023 |language=en}}</ref>}}
| production =
| production_year = 
| revenue = {{increase}} {{INRConvert|2689|c}} (FY24)<ref name="Revenue"/>
| operating_income =
| net_income = {{increase}} {{INRConvert|316|c}} (FY24)<ref name="Revenue">{{cite news| title=Bisleri Reports 82.8% Profit Surge To Rs 316.95 Crore In FY24 |url=https://www.ndtvprofit.com/business/bisleri-reports-828-profit-surge-to-rs-31695-crore-in-fy24| work = NDTV | date=8 January 2025 }}</ref>
| assets =
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| website = {{URL|http://www.bisleri.com}}
}}

'''Bisleri International''' (formerly '''Parle Exports''' and '''Parle Bisleri''') is an Indian [[Multinational corporation|multinational company]] which is best known for the eponymous brand of [[bottled water]]. The company was started in the 1970s by Ramesh Chauhan,<ref>{{cite news |title=Why Ramesh Chauhan is high on water |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/magazine/features/story/why-ramesh-chauhan-is-high-on-water-128438-2008-09-04 |access-date=4 February 2022 |work=Business Today |language=en}}</ref> and sells bottled water and soft drinks.

Bisleri conducts most of its business in India, with 150 operational plants and a network of 6,000 [[Distribution (marketing)|distributors]] and 7,500 distribution trucks.<ref name="uae">{{cite news |title=Bisleri makes global foray, inks supply pact with Dubai firm |url=https://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/business-of-brands/bisleri-makes-global-foray-inks-supply-pact-with-dubai-firm/98109354 |access-date=10 March 2023 |work=Economic Times |language=en}}</ref> Bisleri also sells its products through its own [[e-commerce]] platform and other online retailers.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Khicha |first1=Preeti |title=Bisleri's growing thirst for volumes |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/management/bisleri-s-growing-thirst-for-volumes-111093000089_1.html |access-date=10 March 2023 |work=Business Standard |date=30 September 2011 |archive-date=10 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310212543/https://www.business-standard.com/article/management/bisleri-s-growing-thirst-for-volumes-111093000089_1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==History==
===Background===
In 1966, Italian doctor Cesari Rossi and Indian businessman Khushroo Suntook introduced Bisleri bottled water in India by setting up a factory in [[Thane]]. It was named after an Italian alcohol remedy drink created by 19th century inventor [[Felice Bisleri]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Explained: How Ramesh Chauhan made a splash with Bisleri and his plans to sell to Tata |url=https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/ramesh-chauhan-bisleri-history-tata-11708431.html |access-date=30 November 2022 |work=Firstpost |date=28 November 2022 |language=en |archive-date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130140459/https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/ramesh-chauhan-bisleri-history-tata-11708431.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="deccan">{{cite news |title=Making a splash: How Bisleri became synonymous with water in India |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/business/business-news/making-a-splash-how-bisleri-became-synonymous-with-water-in-india-1165331.html |access-date=24 November 2022 |work=Deccan Herald |date=24 November 2022 |language=en |archive-date=24 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124172349/https://www.deccanherald.com/business/business-news/making-a-splash-how-bisleri-became-synonymous-with-water-in-india-1165331.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Khushroo Suntook: Waving the baton |url=https://lifestyle.livemint.com/news/talking-point/khushroo-suntook-waving-the-baton-111646986589271.html |access-date=24 November 2022 |work=Mint |date=4 August 2017 |language=en}}</ref> Bisleri was initially sold only in luxury hotels and restaurants in Mumbai<ref name="deccan"/> in glass bottles in two varieties – [[Carbonated water|bubbly]] and still. In 1969, the Jayantilal Chauhan family of [[Parle Products|Parle Group]] acquired the struggling Bisleri brand, which was looking to exit the Indian market, for {{INR}}4 lakh (about {{USD}}50,000 then).<ref name="rediff">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/money/2005/jun/10spec.htm|title=And this is how Parle Bisleri began|website=Rediff|language=en|access-date=2020-04-04}}</ref><ref name="deccan"/>

===Early years===
In the 1970s, Jayantilal Chauhan split his soft drinks business between his two sons; Prakash Chauhan obtained control of [[Parle Agro]], while Ramesh Chauhan received Parle Exports (now Bisleri International).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Balachandran |first1=Manu |title=GST prompts India's iconic biscuit maker to look for a forgotten childhood favourite: toffees |url=https://qz.com/india/1042029/parles-sweet-u-turn-gst-prompts-indias-iconic-biscuit-maker-to-look-for-a-forgotten-childhood-favourite-toffees |access-date=30 November 2022 |work=Quartz |date=23 August 2017 |language=en |archive-date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130122223/https://qz.com/india/1042029/parles-sweet-u-turn-gst-prompts-indias-iconic-biscuit-maker-to-look-for-a-forgotten-childhood-favourite-toffees |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1976, Parle Exports launched [[Maaza]], a fruit drink made of mango pulp.<ref name=maaza>{{cite news |last1=Vijayraghavan |first1=Kala |title=Bisleri sells Maaza brand for global mkts to bottlers |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/food/bisleri-sells-maaza-brand-for-global-mkts-to-bottlers/articleshow/2095901.cms |access-date=22 June 2022 |work=The Economic Times}}</ref> After the exit of [[The Coca-Cola Company]] from India in 1977, Parle Exports entered the carbonated drinks segment with the launch of cola drink [[Thums Up]], lemon flavoured drink [[Limca]] and orange flavoured drink [[Gold Spot]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kumari |first1=Nishi |title=A Look at the Brand Journey from Biscuits to Bisleri |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/288441 |access-date=22 June 2022 |work=Entrepreneur |date=4 February 2017 |language=en |archive-date=22 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622170405/https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/288441 |url-status=live }}</ref>

To complement its soft drinks portfolio, Parle Exports launched [[mineral water]] and [[carbonated water]] in the retail market under the previously acquired Bisleri [[brand name]]. According to Chauhan, the Italian name "added a dash of class to it." The water was initially sold in [[Polyvinyl chloride|PVC]] bottles, before the company switched to [[Polyethylene terephthalate|PET]] bottles in the mid-1980s.<ref name="rediff"/>

===Divestments===
The [[economic liberalisation in India]] in 1991 saw the return of The Coca-Cola Company in the country. In 1993, Parle Exports sold its carbonated drinks brands [[Thums Up]], [[Limca]], [[Gold Spot]], [[Citra (drink)|Citra]] and [[RimZim]] to The Coca-Cola Company for between {{INR}}125 crore (about {{USD}}40 million) and {{INR}}200 crore (about {{USD}}60 million).<ref>{{cite news |title=Coca-Cola, Parle Exports alliance on verge of collapse as Coke annuls part of agreement |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/economy/story/19950115-coca-cola-parle-exports-alliance-on-verge-of-collapse-as-coke-annuls-part-of-agreement-808611-1995-01-14 |access-date=30 November 2022 |work=India Today |language=en |archive-date=2022-11-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130122223/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/economy/story/19950115-coca-cola-parle-exports-alliance-on-verge-of-collapse-as-coke-annuls-part-of-agreement-808611-1995-01-14 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=maaza/> In addition, it sold [[Maaza]] trademark in the Indian market to The Coca-Cola Company.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Namrata |last2=Nair-Ghaswalla |first2=Amrita |title=Bisleri serves legal notice on Coca-Cola |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/bisleri-serves-legal-notice-on-coca-cola/articleshow/3477834.cms |access-date=22 June 2022 |work=The Times of India |language=en |archive-date=22 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622170406/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/bisleri-serves-legal-notice-on-coca-cola/articleshow/3477834.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> The deal also included a 15-year [[non-compete clause]], which prevented Parle Exports from launching competing carbonated drinks until 2008.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ramesh Chauhan re-enters soft drinks market after 23 years |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/ramesh-chauhan-re-enters-soft-drinks-market-after-23-years-116022600881_1.html |access-date=22 June 2022 |work=Business Standard India |date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=22 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622170405/https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/ramesh-chauhan-re-enters-soft-drinks-market-after-23-years-116022600881_1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Bisleri PET water bottles with Telugu labels.jpg|thumb|Bisleri 250ml bottles with [[Telugu language]] labels]]
In 1998, Ramesh Chauhan sold Delhi Bottling Company and Coolaid, the [[bottling company|bottling companies]] of the five carbonated drink brands, to The Coca-Cola Company.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chauhan Sells Delhi Bottling Units To Coke |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/specials/chauhan-sells-delhi-bottling-units-to-coke-198092401052_1.html |access-date=30 November 2022 |work=Business Standard}}</ref>

In 2000, Ramesh Chauhan announced that Bisleri, which was being operated by eight different companies from 16 manufacturing locations, would be consolidated under a single entity.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chauhan consolidating Bisleri before offloading stake |url=https://www.rediff.com/money/2000/oct/31bis.htm |access-date=30 November 2022 |work=Rediff |archive-date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130122223/https://www.rediff.com/money/2000/oct/31bis.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result, Bisleri International was incorporated in 2001.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bisleri International Pvt Ltd |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/6594916Z:IN |access-date=4 February 2022 |work=Bloomberg}}</ref>

In 2006, the company sold the trademark of [[Maaza]] in European and US markets to Infra Beverages and House of Spice respectively for undisclosed amounts.<ref name=maaza/>

===Present===
In 2010, Bisleri launched a premium bottled water brand called Vedica, with water sourced from a [[Spring (hydrology)|spring]] in the [[Himalayas|Himalayan]] foothills in [[Uttarakhand]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bhushan |first1=Ratna |title=Bisleri: Thirst for premium drive |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/food/bisleri-thirst-for-premium-drive/articleshow/5389393.cms |access-date=24 November 2022 |work=The Economic Times |date=29 December 2009}}</ref> In 2014, Bisleri introduced an [[energy drink]] brand called Urzza, before discontinuing the product three years later.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bisleri withdraws Urzza, exits energy drinks segment |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/bisleri-withdraws-urzza-exits-energy-drinks-segment/article9901408.ece |access-date=20 May 2024 |work=BusinessLine |date=11 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131182827/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/bisleri-withdraws-urzza-exits-energy-drinks-segment/article9901408.ece |archive-date=31 January 2018 |language=en}}</ref> In 2016, Bisleri re-entered carbonated drinks segment with the creation of Bisleri Pop under which it launched four varieties of soft drinks – Limonata, Fonzo, Spyci and Pina Colada.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bisleri International re-enters soft drinks business, launches 'Bisleri Pop' |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/food/bisleri-international-re-enters-soft-drinks-business-launches-bisleri-pop/articleshow/51157893.cms |access-date=24 November 2022 |work=The Economic Times |archive-date=24 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124064427/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/food/bisleri-international-re-enters-soft-drinks-business-launches-bisleri-pop/articleshow/51157893.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2021, Bisleri launched its line of [[hand sanitizer]] products.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bisleri eyes hygiene segment, launches hand purifiers |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/companies/bisleri-eyes-hygiene-segment-launches-hand-purifiers-7178001.html |access-date=24 April 2022 |work=Moneycontrol |language=en |archive-date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130203025/https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/companies/bisleri-eyes-hygiene-segment-launches-hand-purifiers-7178001.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2023, Bisleri expanded into the [[United Arab Emirates]].<ref name="uae"/>

==Partnerships==
Bisleri is the "official hydration partner" of five teams of the [[Indian Super League]] (ISL)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jaffer |first=Askari |date=11 Oct 2023 |title=Bisleri Continues Its #CarryYourGame Campaign With Five Indian Super League Teams |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/sports/bisleri-continues-its-carryyourgame-campaign-with-five-indian-super-league-teams-829153 |access-date=11 Oct 2023 |website=The Hans India |archive-date=12 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012021323/https://www.thehansindia.com/sports/bisleri-continues-its-carryyourgame-campaign-with-five-indian-super-league-teams-829153 |url-status=live }}</ref> and five teams of the [[Indian Premier League]] (IPL).<ref>{{cite news |title=Bisleri partners with five IPL teams as official hydration partner |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/bisleri-partners-with-five-ipl-teams-as-official-hydration-partner/article68015337.ece |access-date=20 May 2024 |work=BusinessLine |date=1 April 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

==Product and legacy==
Bisleri has a 32% market share in the organized bottled water segment,<ref name="journey">{{cite news |last1=Rajgopal |first1=Aishwarya |title=The Journey Of Bisleri So Far - As It Reportedly Changes Hands From Parle Group To Tata Consumer Products |url=https://www.bqprime.com/business/pfx-the-journey-of-bisleri-so-far |access-date=27 December 2022 |work=BQ Prime |language=en |archive-date=27 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227170539/https://www.bqprime.com/business/pfx-the-journey-of-bisleri-so-far |url-status=live }}</ref> in which it mainly competes with PepsiCo's [[Aquafina]], The Coca-Cola Company's [[Kinley (brand)|Kinley]], [[Parle Agro]]'s Bailley and [[IRCTC]]'s Rail Neer.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tata Group may acquire stake, in talks with Bisleri |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/business/report-tata-group-may-acquire-stake-in-talks-with-bisleri-2984748 |access-date=27 December 2022 |work=DNA India |language=en |archive-date=27 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227170528/https://www.dnaindia.com/business/report-tata-group-may-acquire-stake-in-talks-with-bisleri-2984748 |url-status=live }}</ref> Bisleri is often used as a [[Generic trademark|generic term]] for bottled water in India.<ref name="deccan"/><ref name="journey"/> Many [[Counterfeit consumer goods|knockoff brands]] of similar spelling and branding have emerged over the years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Belsri, Bislleri, Bilseri, Bisleri, Brislei |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/news/belsri-bislleri-bilseri-bisleri-brislei/81445/1 |access-date=27 December 2022 |work=Forbes India |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.bisleri.com Bisleri's official site]

[[Category:Bottled water brands]]
[[Category:Water companies of India]]
[[Category:Food and drink companies established in 1965]]
[[Category:Indian brands]]
[[Category:Companies based in Mumbai]]

Bisleri - Revision history

Tirucochi at 19:06, 6 October 2025