Lighting firms look to cash in on 100 smart cities plan

Lighting solution providers such as Philips, Bajaj Electricals, Havells and Toshiba are sensing a good business opportunity' in the government's plan to develop 100 smart cities across the country.
The companies are looking to tap opportunities, especially with their LED lighting products that are durable and energy efficient for both inhouse and street lighting, which could suit well with the requirements of the smart cities.
Sumit Joshi, Senior Director - Marketing, Philips Lighting, said, "Smart cities are going to be connected smartly. There would be data integration, it can not be done through conventional lighting. So if the government is saying that there would be 100 smart cities coming up, then of course LED lighting would play a big part in it."

Philips, which is reorganising its business by separating its lighting arms, is expecting that in the next two years half of its revenue would come from the LED segment.
"Smart city definitely would be one of our major operation areas. We are working in that direction. Good opportunities are there. The government is going to set up 100 smart cities... The pilot project is going in Bangalore and we are working closely following it," Sundararajan R, President Lighting Business Group, Bajaj Electricals, told PTI.
Similarly, Havells is also planning to expand its LED manufacturing capacity at its Neemrana, Rajasthan plant by investing more capex next year.

"The smart city projects would be future growth driver for the lighting industry," said Havells India President Sunil Sikka.

Sensing good opportunities in the lighting segment here, Japanese electronics giant Toshiba is scaling up its size and has plans to set up a manufacturing base. It is also investing in the R&D centres of its subsidiary GreenStar.
"It will be a good opportunity for us. We are developing LED lighting solutions as smart street lights here by utilising design and resource capabilities here," GreenStar Director India Technology & Operation Centre Sarosij Sengupta.
GreenStar is a subsidiary of Toshiba Group Company and manufactures LED street lights, high bay/low bay LED lights and LED based billboards.

"Our primary manufacturing facilities are in China and Japan. We are also trying to see India as next manufacturing base, not only for the local market but also producing for global needs," said Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation President and CEO Yoichi Ibi.