HP bullish on 'Digital India', eyes smaller towns for growth

The laptop and printer major HP Inc is committed to the Indian government's 'Digital India' initiative and is working closely with various state governments to empower the rural people in tier II and tier III cities where the future growth lies, top HP executives have said.

"Although HP already has a strong presence pan-India, it is now spreading into tier II, III and even IV cities to empower small and medium businesses (SMBs) and bring its low cost, disruptive technology right at their doorsteps," Richard Bailey, President, Asia Pacific and Japan at HP Inc, told IANS in an interview.

"We are working very closely with the Narendra Modi government's 'Digital India' initiative and is in touch with state governments to realise the dream of connecting India with our low-cost, disruptive offerings," Bailey added.

HP has acquired Samsung Electronics Co Ltd's printer business for $1.05 billion, besides launching 16 new A3 LaserJet and PageWide Platforms based on the powerful multi-function printing (MFPs) technology.

The acquisition positions HP to disrupt the $55 billion copier industry, a segment that has not been innovated in decades.

"We are currently working with our channel partners in India to understand the A3 market better," Bailey said.

According to Gurpreet Brar, Director, Commercial Channel Sales, Printing and Personal Systems (HP India) with the GST coming soon, the consumption of information technology is going to grow exponentially and HP is ready the fill the gap.

"The time is really bullish. We are witnessing the growth across the country and are focused on top 30 states where retail is really going to expand," Brar told IANS.

According to a latest report from the International Data Corporation (IDC), HP achieved 44.7 per cent shipment share in Q1 2016 and remained as the market leader in India.

In the laser segment, HP continued to be the market leader with 57.7 per cent market share, followed by Canon and Samsung at the second and third position, respectively.

The 16 new LaserJet and PageWide printers based on the MFP technology are set to change the printing landscape in the country.

"Some of the printers will be available in India in middle and towards the end of 2017. We are focused on the growing market in the country where we are already number one in the LaserJet printing space," Bailey told IANS.

According to Brar, he is flooded with queries from his channel partners and customers alike.

"People are eagerly waiting for the disruptive A3 LaserJet and PageWide platforms to arrive in India. We are very bullish and looking for a major growth trajectory in days to come," Brar told IANS.

Calling the new LaserJet and PageWide platforms a "real disruptive play", Enrique Lores, President, Imaging & Printing, HP Inc, said that HP can now deliver the industry's most advanced lineup of A3 MFP and A4 laser print solutions for the office.

"The complexity of traditional copiers makes repair and maintenance too inefficient for our partners and customers," added Lores.

"By leveraging our superior printing technology, we can change the status quo with next generation A3 multi-function printers that improve the overall customer and partner experience. This is what we mean by reinventing printing," Lores said.