Hitachi aims to double export this year

City-based white goods company Hitachi Home and Life Solutions (India), a subsidiary of Hitachi Home and Life Solutions Inc Japan, plans to double its export turnover in the next financial year.

"We are the largest exporters of air conditioners in the country and plan to double our exports in the next financial year," said Amit Doshi, vice-president, Hitachi, Home and Life Solutions (India).

The company has exported around 3000 units in the last financial year and expects to close the current year with exports of over 10,000 units. It hopes to export 20,000 units by 2004-05.

The company's turnover from exports was Rs three crore in the last financial year. It has already exceeded Rs 16 crore for the current financial year and expects the figure to top Rs 34 crore for the next financial year.

Last year the company's revenues from exports were 10 per cent of the turnover and it hopes to raise this ratio to 20 per cent in the current financial year.

The company exports over 50 per cent of its air conditioners to Mid-East and SAARC nations and plans to reach countries in Africa as well.

"The products have been specially developed to function in the climatic conditions prevalent in the export markets by deploying high temperature (of over 54 degree Celsius) resistance and sandstorm tests," said Doshi.

The company expects a growth of over 25 per cent this year as compared to a 15 per cent growth in the A-Cs market. Hitachi commands a 12 per cent share in the country's A-C market and expects to raise this to 20 per cent in the next two years.

Hitachi is headquartered in Ahmedabad and has a manufacturing facility at Kadi in Mehsana district. This among the seven Hitachi room A-C facilities worldwide.

Hitachi closed down its Silvassa plant as part of a major restructure exercise following the acquisition of a majority stake in the company by Hitachi, Japan, from the Lalbhai group. After facing losses for two consecutive fiscal years, Hitachi has targeted a 20 per cent cut in operating costs in the current year.

The company has also moved its corporate office from Ahmedabad to Kadi which, according to company officials, is a part of 'Project Harmony.'

Hitachi Atom split A-Cs launched

Hitachi Home and Life Solutions (India) (HHLI) launched the smallest split air conditioner, Hitachi Atom, in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

"The Hitachi Atom split A-C is two-third the size of conventional split A-Cs and is a blend of two revolutionary technologies, Lambda and power saving technology. This gives powerful, efficient and economical performance in extreme and varied Indian climatic conditions," Amit Doshi, vice-president, marketing and service operations, HHLI, said. The range is priced between Rs 35,000 and Rs 40,000.

"The Lambda Coil technology enables super efficient cooling even at extreme temperatures. It allows for a higher surface area for the heat exchanger in a very compact size. The word atom is aptly derived from its two traits "" very small, very powerful," said Doshi.

Hitachi commands a 12 per cent share of the organised market for A-Cs in India putting it amongst the top three players in the industry.