At the 52nd Dairy Industry Conference & Exhibition (DIC) 2026, organized by the Indian Dairy Association, industry leaders from around the world gathered to discuss innovation, growth, and collaboration in one of the most dynamic dairy markets globally. Among them, FASA reaffirmed its long-term commitment to India’s rapidly evolving dairy sector. In an exclusive interview, Jolanta Petkeviciene, Deputy CEO – Head of Sales and Marketing, FASA, highlighted the company’s 60-year legacy in butter processing and packaging, its two-decade presence in India, and its vision to support dairy growth through durable, high-quality automation solutions.

India: A strategic market for FASA

“FASA is a 66-year-old company,” J. Petkeviciene began, outlining the heritage behind the Lithuania-based dairy equipment manufacturer. “Our main strategy is to work with dairy companies. We specialize in butter and can offer a complete line for butter processing and butter packaging machines. We also offer processed cheese wrapping machines.”

India, she emphasized, is not just another export destination — it is one of FASA’s most important markets globally. “India is one of our main markets. We visit India two to three times per year and participate in at least one exhibition annually,” she said. “We have been working in India for 20 years and have more than 65 machines installed here.”

What makes India different, according to J. Petkeviciene, is its strong exhibition culture and international visibility. “India hosts many local exhibitions. We do not participate in many local exhibitions worldwide, but in India, we participate at least once every year. This is a very important market for us.”

Customized solutions for Indian dairies

When discussing FASA’s product portfolio in India, J. Petkeviciene highlighted the company’s adaptability to local demand patterns. “In India, the most popular machine is the 100-gram butter wrapping machine ARM-B2,” she explained. “The machine can also handle 100-gram and 250-gram packs, but 100 grams is the most popular.” The next most in-demand solution is the butter wrapping machine ARM-B3 for 200-gram and 500-gram packs. “Between these, 500 grams is the most in demand,” she noted.

Beyond packaging, FASA is seeing strong interest in butter processing solutions. “We are actively offering our continuous butter-making machines BMM. We offer different capacities — from 1 ton of cream per hour to 10 tons per hour (from 0,5 ton of butter to 5 tons per hour).”

This scalable approach, she suggested, aligns well with the growth trajectory of Indian dairy businesses.

“Everybody in India dreams of owning a FASA machine”

Feedback from Indian customers has been overwhelmingly positive, J. Petkeviciene said, sharing a particularly meaningful compliment from one of their special clients.

“During a visit to our valuable customer Creamy Foods, who has a complete butter plant from FASA — including butter-making machines, three butter wrapping machines, and a thermoforming machine — the owner told us that everybody in India knows FASA and dreams of owning a FASA machine. Whoever has the budget chooses FASA.”

She smiled as she recalled the moment. “I think this is the best compliment for a manufacturer — to be seen as a benchmark others aspire to reach.”

According to her, the core reason customers choose FASA is quality and longevity. “If you invest in a FASA machine and maintain it properly, it can run for 40 years. It is a long-term investment.”

Equally very important is after-sales service. “Our technicians visit dairies for commissioning, spare part replacement, and machine evaluation. This is very important.”

She also emphasized the importance of personal relationships in India. “We regularly visit India. When you come to the country and meet customers face-to-face, they feel you are close to them. Personal relationships are very important in India, and we value that. FASA team is open and friendly. We solve problems quickly and simply — and these qualities are very valuable for our customers.”

Competition and market positioning

On competition, J. Petkeviciene took a balanced and confident view. “I believe there is space for every company in the market,” she said. “Healthy competition helps maintain quality and encourages everyone to improve.”

She acknowledged the presence of local manufacturers. “We respect local producers, just as they respect us. If a dairy does not have the budget for a FASA machine, they may choose a local option. As they grow, they often upgrade to higher-quality machines like FASA.”

Interestingly, she noted that India’s dairy landscape is composed largely of small and mid-sized operations rather than ultra-large plants requiring extremely high-speed machinery.

“Our machine capacity fits very well with the Indian market,” she explained. “Compared to other high-quality international machines, our pricing is very competitive. We may compete more with others manufacturers, but there is space for everyone.”

Innovation and expansion plans for India

FASA is doubling down on service capabilities and product diversification. “In India, we work with two regional partners,” J. Petkeviciene said. “We visit customers together and participate in exhibitions. Our agents also have technical teams. A key investment for us is strengthening technical cooperation so that service can be provided quickly whenever customers need support.”

On the innovation front, she revealed an exciting development: “We are developing a full production line for sweet curd desserts. This product is very popular in Eastern Europe and is spreading globally. I believe it may take five to ten years, but it will eventually enter the Indian market as well.”

Given India’s strong dairy industry, she sees potential for diversification. “Since India is strong in dairy, this could be a good opportunity for product diversification.”

She pointed to a larger global trend driving automation. “Companies worldwide face challenges in hiring skilled employees. As a result, more businesses are investing in automation to reduce manual handling, improve hygiene, and ensure consistent product quality. I see the same trend in India.”

With India increasing its dairy exports, maintaining high standards is crucial. “Since India is exporting more dairy products, maintaining high quality is essential — and high-quality machines play a key role in achieving that.”

A message to Indian customers

Concluding the conversation, J. Petkeviciene expressed strong appreciation for the Indian market.

“First of all, I would like to thank Indian customers. I believe that in most dairies in India, there is at least one FASA machine. Having 67 machines installed here shows the strong trust Indian customers place in us.”

For dairies considering modernization, her message was clear: “If they invest in a FASA machine, I am 100% confident they will be satisfied — not just for five years, but for even 40 years.”

She emphasized flexibility as a final advantage. “Our machines can operate at both low and high speeds, allowing customers to start small and scale up as they grow. When our customers grow, we grow with them.”

Reaffirming FASA’s commitment, she concluded, “We truly appreciate the Indian market and will continue visiting every year. We see strong cooperation developing between Europe and India, which further strengthens business opportunities. India is an important market for us, and we look forward to continuing this partnership.”