Propelis, the global brand services group formed through the merger of SGK and SGS & Co, is expanding its focus on India as part of its broader Southeast Asia growth strategy. The company said it sees India’s retail and FMCG sectors, which are evolving rapidly, as central to its goal of helping brands launch faster, adapt to market conditions and execute more consistently across the region.

The merger was announced in January 2025 and valued the combined entity at an enterprise value of approximately USD 900 million. Following completion of the merger in May 2025, Propelis reported more than 10,000 employees across over 30 countries, close to USD 1 billion in annual sales and more than 2,000 clients worldwide. Building on SGX’s established packaging production and artwork capabilities in India, Propelis is expanding Marks’ creative services and integrated delivery model to offer clients broader support across strategy, creative development, packaging and execution.

India is positioned as a priority market for Propelis’ integrated go-to-market model, with the country’s retail market projected to reach USD 2 trillion by 2035 alongside continued growth in organized retail and shifting consumer preferences. The company said this represents a significant opportunity for brands seeking more connected ways to manage creative, packaging, content and local market execution.

The process of bringing products to market has grown more complex as brands expand their portfolios, accelerate launches and respond to changing consumer expectations. In India, packaging now extends beyond design to include regulatory compliance, pricing, nutrition information, multiple adaptations, print production and traceability from brief to shelf. Because these functions are often managed across separate teams and systems, brands can face slower launches, inconsistencies and operational inefficiencies. Propelis said its integrated model brings creative, packaging, production and AI-enabled workflow technology together in a connected workflow, aiming to provide greater visibility, speed and control from concept to shelf.

“India is one of the most dynamic consumer markets in the region, with brands navigating increasing portfolio complexity, multiple retail channels and evolving consumer expectations,” said Kathryn Sloane, executive managing director, APAC MEA, Marks, a Propelis company. “Our connected operating model enables brands to balance global consistency with local relevance while simplifying creative, packaging and content execution. India combines scale, talent, manufacturing capability and one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer markets, making it a natural priority within our Southeast Asia growth strategy. We see India playing a central role in helping brands launch faster, adapt confidently and grow more effectively.”

According to the company, Propelis integrates creative, packaging, localization, content production and workflow technology into one connected operating model, allowing brands to simplify go-to-market execution, reduce complexity and improve speed and consistency across consumer touchpoints. The group will support FMCG, food and beverage, and retail brands in India with creative adaptation, packaging production, transcreation and technology-enabled workflows. Propelis has also named Sean Silveira as client director, Marks, as part of its continued investment in the region, a move the company said strengthens its creative leadership across India and Southeast Asia.

“The merger only matters if clients see the impact in the work,” said Sean Silveira, client director, Marks, a Propelis company. “In India, something as simple as a packaging refresh involves multiple languages, regulatory requirements, printers, retailers and digital commerce platforms before it reaches the consumer. Our focus is to remove that complexity by bringing together creative, packaging, technology and workflow into one connected model, enabling brands to launch faster, reduce risk and deliver stronger outcomes in the market. As Marks continues to strengthen its creative capabilities in India, we also see significant opportunity to build more integrated partnerships by combining creative services with Propelis’ established packaging, artwork and production expertise.”

Propelis is expanding into healthcare, digital, electronics and quick service restaurant (QSR) sectors while deepening relationships with existing FMCG and retail clients and with global brands across India, APAC and the Middle East. Since the merger, the company said it has extended its work with brands including PepsiCo India, Royal Canin India and Nestlé India, and added new clients including Blooming Foods and Kitco in the Middle East.