FICCI FLO, under the leadership of the 42nd National President, Ms. Poonam Sharma, organized an Industrial Visit to Haldiram’s Noida facility on Friday, 16 January 2026, as part of FLO’s ongoing commitment to provide its members with meaningful industry exposure, innovation insights, and experiential learning opportunities.
Carefully curated as a learning-led engagement by FICCI FLO National MSME Assist Cell, the visit offered FLO members the opportunity to interact closely with one of India’s most iconic and globally respected brands, celebrated for its entrepreneurial excellence, operational brilliance, and enduring legacy in the food processing sector.
The visit began with an introduction to Haldiram’s by Ms. Ruby Garg, Governing Body Member, FICCI FLO and Co-Chair, FLO MSME Assist Cell, who also served as the day chair for the programme. Her contextual overview set the tone for the visit, highlighting the relevance of Haldiram’s journey as an exemplary case study for women entrepreneurs and professionals seeking to understand large-scale food manufacturing, operational excellence, and business practices. FICCI FLO Past President, Ms. Namita Gautam, graced the industrial visit with her presence.
Haldiram’s remarkable evolution, from a small family-run namkeen shop established in Bikaner in 1937 to a global leader in the snacks and sweets industry, stood out as a compelling narrative of Indian entrepreneurship done right. The visit provided members with valuable insights into how a traditional Indian enterprise successfully transformed into an international success story through an unwavering focus on quality, hygiene, innovation, and customer trust.
Members gained a deeper appreciation of how the brand has balanced scale with soul, preserving authenticity while embracing modern manufacturing practices and global standards. They were taken through an in-depth walkthrough of Haldiram’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, offering firsthand exposure to advanced automation systems, stringent quality control mechanisms, robust food safety protocols, and innovative packaging solutions aligned with international compliance norms.
The experience highlighted operational excellence in large-scale food manufacturing and showcased best practices in export readiness, hygiene standards, and process efficiency that underscore India’s growing strength in the FMCG sector. Beyond the production lines, the visit enabled meaningful learning around Haldiram’s business philosophy, brand evolution, and strategic growth.
A presentation by Haldiram’s management, followed by an interactive discussion with FLO members, provided deeper insights into the company’s approach to scaling operations while maintaining value-for-money offerings, its ability to carry the authentic taste of India across global markets, and its significant role in employment generation and inclusive workforce participation, including opportunities for women within the organisation.
The programme also included the felicitation of Haldiram’s management by Ms. Poonam Sharma, National President, FICCI FLO, in recognition of the organisation’s exemplary leadership and contribution to the Indian industry. Mr. Ashish Agarwal, Managing Director, Haldiram’s, was formally felicitated for the warmth, support, and gracious hospitality extended to FICCI FLO. His openness in welcoming FLO members into Haldiram’s operations reflected the confidence, transparency, and generosity that define the organisation’s leadership culture and values.
The successful execution of the industrial visit was made possible by the leadership and vision of Ms. Ruby Garg, whose conceptualisation and meticulous planning ensured that the engagement remained purposeful, insightful, and closely aligned with FLO’s broader objective of empowering women through exposure to exemplary business models and operational excellence.
Key Learnings & Observations
The visit offered several important takeaways for FLO members:
- Importance of process-driven systems for scalability.
- Role of quality assurance in building long-term brand trust.
- Effective integration of automation with skilled manpower.
- Strong vendor and MSME ecosystem supporting growth.
- Importance of discipline, consistency, and standardization.
- Visionary leadership as a key factor in sustaining legacy brands.
- The visit was especially insightful for entrepreneurs seeking to scale operations while maintaining quality and brand integrity.
Impact & Outcome
Around 72 attendees, including FLO, YFLO members pan India, and GB members, attended the Haldiram’s industrial visit. It offered a valuable opportunity for FLO members to gain practical exposure to industrial processes, quality systems, and leadership-driven growth, while also fostering knowledge exchange and industry connections.
FICCI FLO extends its sincere gratitude to Haldiram’s management and team for their warm hospitality, seamless coordination, and willingness to share valuable insights. The visit was extremely well-received and stands as a strong example of how industry interactions can empower, educate, and inspire women entrepreneurs. Special appreciation is extended to all FLO members who participated enthusiastically, making the visit informative, interactive, and memorable.