KOZHIKODE: Kerala Soaps, a unit of Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE), is all set to distribute its products through the 907 Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) outlets across the state. The 14 varieties of products mainly include soaps, veg wash-a lotion to do away with the pesticide content in the fruits and vegetables by putting in it and bar soaps.
Currently, two outlets in Kozhikode — Nadakkavu and Pavamani Road — have been selling three types of soaps — Kerala Sandal, Vep and Trio-Classic, the premium item. “The memorandum of understanding (MoU) with IOC was signed last month following the tremendous response we got when the same was run on a pilot basis,” says Prabhith A.P., who is in charge of the IOC project at the Kerala Soaps.
IOC outlets in Kozhikode district — the city, Panniyankara, Kunnamangalam, Kakkodi, Pallikkal Bazar and Kakkanchery — were selected for the pilot project.
The joint venture will kickstart in 10 outlets initially, and invites have been extended to merchandisers to sell the products through outlets with '300 as daily remuneration besides incentives. A merchandiser will be deployed in an outlet with the display board of KSIE.
“The merchandiser will canvass those who come to the outlet for fuel,” said an IOC official. As part of the venture, the KSIE would give a fixed sum to each outlet monthly besides a percentage of the profit. Formerly Kerala Soaps and Oils, Kerala Soaps was taken over by the KSIE in 2010 to streamline the activities of the ailing unit.
