The Joint Venture deal between Godrej Consumers Products Limited (GCPL) and a US based confectionery & chocolate company- Hershey’s has ended. The deal is speculated to be called off because of the management differences of the JV entities. Both companies mutually decided to wind up partnership deciding that Hershey’s would sell its 51% share to GCPL.

The joint venture was signed in 2007 with the investment of 450 crores. GCPL contributed a lot to the portfolio of the Company with bringing Nutrine’s Maha Lacto, Maha Choco, Éclairs etc. under the Venture’s tag. Godrej further added beverage range to the venture comprising of Soya milk, fruit drinks and juices, whereas Hershey’s contribution to the venture was just one chocolate syrup in 1998. Hershey did not add anything else to the grand venture. Godrej was impatient or rather annoyed over slow progress of the venture.

Now, the two brands are segregated and will operate on their own in India and foreign. Since no compete clause was not in the dissolution agreement, it will be an open market operation for both the firms and they might emerge as future competitors in India and abroad.