The Economic Times reported on September 12, citing people familiar with the matter, that Tata Group has offered to acquire a stake in Bisleri International, India’s largest packaged water company.

“Tata Group has made an offer to buy shares in Bisleri and hopes to expand eventually,” said one of the executives.
“This will give Tatas a presence in the entry-level, mid-level and advanced packaged water categories, with a ready market network in retail stores, pharmacy channels, institutional channels including hotels, restaurants and airports, and bulk water because Bisleri Mineral Water is ahead of each of these channels,” the executive told ET.

The report also attributed the stake dilution to the succession planning of Bisleri owner Ramesh Chauhan. According to the official website, Bisleri has more than 150 manufacturing plants, a network of more than 4,000 dealers, and 5,000 trucks in India.

The size of the packaged water market in the country is estimated at Rs 20,000 crore, of which 60% is unorganised. Bisleri owns 32% of the organised market.