Karuturi Global Ltd - Stock Valuation and Financial Performance

Incorporated in 1994 Karuturi Global (KGL) is the largest producer of cut roses in the world, with are area of over 292 hectares under Greenhouse cultivation and an annual production capacity of around 555 million stems.

Equipped with a robust and de-risked business model, Karuturi Global’s other fast-growing business realms are food processing, floriculture retail including a flower auction portal and information technology. The company has an integrated production model encompassing in-house plantation, cultivation and distribution capabilities coupled with a series of green initiatives make us one of the lowest cost producer of cut roses in the world.

Headquartered in India, the company has international offices located in Ethiopia, Kenya, Dubai and Holland. It exports products to countries namely Holland, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Bahrain, Muscat, Dubai, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Brunei and North America. Further, the company operates four wholly owned subsidiaries -- Karuturi Floritech, Karuturi Foods, Karuturi Telecom and Karuturi Flower Express.

Businesses

Floriculture- Under this, the company undertakes in-house plantation, cultivation and distribution of roses. KGL produces roses in various colours viz. red, pink, yellow, orange, white and bi-colour. It has an output of about 500 million stems per annum.

Agriculture- Under this, Karuturi Global, is engaged in production of cereals, crops and vegetables. The company was granted about 300,000 hectares of land by Ethiopian government.

Food Processing- The Company’s food processing plant, located at Tumkur, has installed capacity of 6,000 tonnes per annum. This facility undertakes bulk processing and bottling of gherkins, raddish, beetroot, carrot, baby corn, jalapenos and green bell peppers. Exports are targeted mainly to Europe and the US.

IT Business- Under this, the company offers internet services provider (ISP) and software services. It offers ISP services to large MNCs and medium-sized companies.

Key Milestones

From a modest beginning in 1994, as an export-oriented unit for floriculture, The company has expanded its presence into agriculture and food processing verticals with operations spread across Ethiopia, Kenya and India. Following are company’s key milestones:

2009:

• Maize Cultivation commenced at Bako
• Acquired 3 lac hectares of land in Gambela
• Land clearing in process at Gambela
• Initiated palm plantation in primary nursery

2008:

• Acquired 11,000 hectares of land in Bako, Ethiopia for foray into agriculture
• Initiated setting up of gherkins bottling plant at Tumkur near Bangalore

2007:

• Acquired Sher Agency to become world's largest cut rose producer
• Expanded its cut-rose production into Naivasha, Kenya

2004:

• Commenced operations in Ethiopia to produce and export the Hybrid Tee
• 1994: Incorporated as Karuturi Floritech – a 100% Export Oriented Unit (EOU) for floriculture

Awards & Recognition:

EOY Award: Sai Ramakrishna Karuturi, Managing Director of Karuturi was awarded the Ernst & Young Business Entrepreneur of the year 2009 from India.

CCA Award: Sai Ramakrishna Karuturi, Managing Director of Karuturi Global Ltd was conferred with another prestigious award for business excellence in Agribusiness in Africa by CCA, Corporate Council on Africa, for the year 2009.

Workplace Award Commended (2009): Sher Karuturi: In 2004, Sher Karuturi began a workplace HIV/AIDS program with the aim of creating a work environment that supported employees and their families in dealing with the disease. In 2006, with the threat of other health issues on the rise, the program expanded to include tuberculosis and malaria.

The company's workplace efforts focus on educating employees about their health risks, giving them access to screening and testing, and providing treatment where necessary. Sher Karuturi has seen great successes deploying resources to its employees-for example, while the company only distributed 500 condoms in 2005, that number increased to 18,000 by 2008.

US AID Aptha Gold Award - Leadership in Employee Healthcare

Sher Academy Private- M.Score & 21 - Best Private Secondary School in Naivasha Region

NHIF - Quality in Health Care Awards Certificate 2008

Certifications Received at Kenya:

• MPS GAP
• MPS SQ (Socially Qualified)
• MPS ETI (Ethical Trade Initiatives)