‘Our role is to create awareness of the new trends in glassware’

Michel E Nouafo Vice President, Marketing, Libbey Inc

Libbey Inc, the second largest company in the glassware segment in the world and the biggest in the US, is looking at India as a promising market. Michel E Nouafo, vice president, marketing, Libbey Inc talks to Express Hospitality about the opportunity in this market.

How much potential do you perceive in the Indian foodservice equipment market?

The way the Indian foodservice market is growing at present, the sky is the limit. With tariffs touching the roof and hotels being overbooked in the metros, there could not have been a better time for us to enter this market.

What is Libbey's USP?

The varieties that we offer cannot be compared to any other foodservice glass manufacturer. We have over 1000 types of glasses catering to various requirements. Our range of 'Glassware with Attitude' is a case in point. Besides, most of our glasses are guaranteed against chipping - we replace these glasses free of cost in case of chipping. Also, we have a stackable range for customers who have space constraints.

How you are going about promotion and which are the prominent segments the company is looking at?

Our distributor and agent in India, Aarem International, is doing a wonderful job in promoting our products across the country through sponsoring events, media sampling, exhibitions, etc. which are some of the options we are looking at for promoting our glassware. We have already participated in FHRAI, Express' HospitalityWorld show and AAHAR at Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi respectively, along with our importers and stockists. Aarem International showcased our products, where we received phenomenal response from the hospitality industry. As of now, we are targeting upscale and fine dining restaurants and hotel chains, besides deluxe standalone hotels. Shortly, we shall be introducing mid-segment lines for our price sensitive customers.

Are you planning any joint promotional campaign with any beverage company?

Although we have supplied our premium glasses to practically all Scotch companies in India for their campaigns but we haven't had any joint campaign with them. We surely will be planning one in future.

How can Libbey contribute to the foodservice equipment sector in the country?

The Indian hospitality industry is growing by leaps and bounds and I guess, this would continue till the Commonwealth Games in 2010. I feel that the Indian customer is very well aware of global trends and is more receptive to finer detailing of products and is ready to pay for it. Our role is to create awareness amongst hoteliers and others of the new trends taking place globally in glassware, especially the multi- utility and safe handling of glassware. We have made a good beginning in this regard after tying up with Aarem International, who have been in the trade for a long time.