LG to strengthen presence in Gujarat

L G Electronics India Ltd has launched a new GSM mobile phone model and its premium Ballad television range in Gujarat as part of its plan to strengthen its product range and focus on the market in the state.

The company has introduced the G1500 mobile phone model. The high-end Ballad flat screen television offers the highest sound output in its category, the company said.

L G Electronics India managing director K R Kim said the overall market spread of the company has grown manifold in Gujarat because of the concept of district marketing.

With two central area offices in Ahmedabad and Rajkot, along with five area offices in Surat, Vadodara, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar and Mehsana, better distribution and more effective sales and service back-up has been made possible, he said.

Besides the central area offices and are area offices, the company has also strengthened its direct dealer and sub dealer network. Kim said within a short span of time, a network of 75 dealers and 1,112 sub dealers has been put into place even in semi urban areas of the state.

Deepak Jasrotia, branch manager, Ahmedabad, said the company was committed to bringing the latest products to the Ahmedabad market, which has responded extremely well.

"According to our latest sales figures, we have posted a 31 per cent growth in the appliances division and a 53 per cent growth in the air-conditioner sales," he said. Jasrotia said the company could increase sales because of the network of six distributors and over 400 dealers.

Narendar Charak, branch manager, Rajkot, said the emphasis will be on pre- and post-purchase customer satisfaction.

"We expect to achieve a 60 per cent growth in sales. This will be possible through a series of activities like shop branding and best quality service," Charak said.

He said the Rajkot branch, which also services Saurashtra, has five authorised service centres, two authorised service providers and 12 sales and service dealers.

L G Electronics India, a wholly owned subsidiary of L G Electronics, South Korea, was established in January 1997.

The product range include colour televisions, washing machines, air-conditioners, microwave ovens, refrigerators, personal computers and GSM mobile phones.

The company aims to achieve a turnover of Rs 7,000 crore in 2004 and consolidate its position in the GSM phone market, which it entered in 2003.