India's Vidya Herbs opens an herbal extract plant in Flagler County

BUNNELL — An India-based global manufacturer of herbal extracts and ingredients used in weight management and skin care products is holding a grand opening celebration here at 11 a.m. today for its new base of operations for the United States.

The company is called Vidya Herbs Pvt. Ltd., which was founded in Bangalore, India, in November 2001 by Shyam Prasad Kodimule, a chemist by training. Kodimule now serves as Vidya's president and managing director.

According to its website, Vidya's "clinically researched products" include CGA-7, a green coffee bean extract that provides an "innovative solution for an improved physique," "Rosefit," a rose petal extract used for weight management, and "Skin-cera," a potato extract used for skin care.

The company currently has locations in seven countries including a U.S. office in Red Bank, New Jersey, as well as facilities in India, Japan, France, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Australia and South Korea.

The 20,000-square-foot plant at 7 Otis Stone Hunter Road in Bunnell was selected because of its location within a thriving agricultural community, its proximity to Interstate 95, and Flagler County's workforce.

Vidya Herbs USA knew exactly who it wanted to hire to lead its Florida operations: Helga van Eckert, the woman who as Flagler County's then-executive director of the department of economic opportunity, led efforts to recruit the company to the area.

She also was instrumental in getting the building where the company now has its U.S. headquarters built as a "spec" project, meaning that it was done in anticipation that a user could be found later, by Beutlich Development.

Beutlich sold the newly constructed building to Vidya in May 2020 for $2.65 million.

Van Eckert recently left the job she held the past three years as economic development director for neighboring Volusia County to become Vidya Herbs USA's new vice president of Florida business operations.

Vidya employed just eight workers at its new Bunnell plant when it announced its hiring of van Eckert a few weeks ago. The company has plans to hire significantly more as it ramps up production.

"This facility will serve as the launch pad for the company's ambitious manufacturing and R&D (research and development) growth plans in Florida," said van Eckert, in a news release issued before today's grand opening event. "We look forward to establishing Vidya Herbs USA as a key player in the herbal extracts industry in the state and beyond."

Kodimule said his decision to open a plant in Bunnell "reflects our commitment to the American market."

Florida Secretary of Commerce Laura DiBella said the state is "thrilled to welcome Vidya Herbs to Bunnell and the state of Florida. Their investment in our state underscores Florida's appeal as a prime location for global businesses."