Board Of Directors

Dr. Varghese Jacob

A member of a prominent family of Indian industrialists and philanthropists, Dr Viju Jacob joined his father’s business (Synthite Industries Pvt. Ltd.) in 1984.  Today, with his 40 years of experience in the spice & oleoresin industry, he is one of the torchbearers of this business representing Indian Spice Industry in various countries, global spice events and worldwide conferences. 

 

Synthite, founded by his father Late Shri C V Jacob in the year 1970 is now the world’s largest producer of value added spice extracts, spice powders, essential oils, natural flavors and fragrances. Synthite has its headquarters in Kochi, India and offices in the United States, Brazil, Germany, China, Netherlands   and   UAE.   It   has manufacturing facilities   in   India   and   China   and warehousing and sourcing offices in Vietnam and Sri Lanka.  In addition to its core business, Synthite has expanded into Hospitality, Realty, and Renewable Energy.  The company operates  several  verticals,  including  Symega Food  Ingredients  for  savory, flavorings,  colors,  and  plant-based  foods;  InterGrow  Brands  for  the  popular  brands Sprig & Kitchen Treasures, top of the  line chocolate brand  Paul & Mike and  Natxtra,  a supplements brand  catering to the Nutraceuticals needs of end users. 

 

Synthite has won National Awards for outstanding export performance during the years 1976-77, 1977-78, 1978-79, 1983-84 and 1990-91 from the President of India, and export awards and rolling trophies of Spices Board regularly from 1976 onwards.

 

Varghese Jacob had his schooling in Kochi and did Bachelor in Commerce from the University of Kerala and joined the family business. He was awarded Doctorate of Philosophy in Business Management for his thesis on special relevance to the Essence of Spices by the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2007.

 

Upon assuming leadership of the conglomerate, Dr Viju aggressively sought to expand Synthite, focussing on globalizing its businesses and initiating backward integration projects,  resulting  in  traceable  and  sustainable  sourcing  as well  as fair  earnings  to farming  communities  in  many  parts of India  and  abroad. The Marigold business flourished under his leadership. His marketing intelligence paved way to establish Spice Oleoresin in Indian market. With manufacturing units & sales offices in India and abroad, the group has an annual turnover of INR 3500 crores and has 3,000 plus employees and supports farming communities of around 14000 worldwide.

 

Dr.  Viju  Jacob has been keen   on  the  Synthite  group  playing  an  active  role  in  the upliftment of the  society around it. The group spends nearly INR 5 Crores every year either directly or through the CVJ Foundation on supporting palliative care,   housing, infrastructure, healthcare, and education projects.

 

Dr. Viju  Jacob serves as the  Executive  Director  of Light  & Life,  a  charitable  society which  helps  children  with  acute cancer and  also  as an  Executive  Member  of Care  & Share International  Foundation,  a  charitable  organization  which  helps  children  with cardiac issues. During the  Covid 19 pandemic he  initiated a campaign to vaccinate a Grama Panchyath in Ernakulam Dist. of Kerala, India (Aikkaranad Grama Panchyath which has a  population of nearly 21000)  – and  all of Synthite’s employees and  their dependents free of cost.