agfochemicals division has been accredited with the ISO 9002.
The company manufactures quality dyes and chemicals. Sales of the chemical division at Us 13 crore were up by 15 per cent compared to the previous year's performance. Several new products were added to the range of speciality dyes and chemicals for the leather, textile and paper industries. Competitive pressures were experienced from small-scale sector entrants despite lowering of excise duties and tariffs. The industrial chemicals division contributes about 35 per cent to total turnover, Sandoz has developed seeds that improve yield, have higher nutritional content and are highly disease resistant. The company introduced a virus resistant tomato variety which was well received. In July 1995, the company shifted its base of operations to Pune and plans to set up a research station there for evolving new hybrid varieties. Pharmaceuticals form the bulk of business, augmented by a smaller agrochemicals business. During the year, under its exports and new business division, the company made the first sale of MBT construction chemicals in the Indian market. These are products of Master Builders Technologies, a company of the Sandoz group, which sees good potential for its products in the domestic market. Exports during the year stood at Rs 6 crore, a growth of 5 per cent over the previous year, the low growth being on account of delayed pharmaceuticals and agro shipments.
