IAFL Haridwar plant operational by next month

To open marketing offices in Surat, Rajkot

Indo Asian Fusegear Ltd's (IAFL) new compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) plant at Haridwar is likely to become operational by July 2005. With the new plant becoming operational, the company's CFL production capacity will go up to 30,000 units per day from 12,000 units per day at present.

The Noida-based IAFL claims that, with the additional capacity, the company will become the largest manufacturer of CFLs in India.

"The new plant with an investment of aover Rs 25 crore will be operational soon. There are great opportunities in this product category as the world is becoming aware about mercury-less bulbs.

"We are also planning to launch a media campaign to spread awareness and promote CFL bulbs that are more environment friendly than traditional mercury bulbs," said Vivek Mahendru, president-operations, IAFL, said. The company has imported technology from Korea.

"Along with our capacity expansion, we are also planning to increase our marketing efforts.

"In Gujarat, we are planning to open marketing branches in Surat and Rajkot shortly. We are also planning to reach more and more retailers to push sales CFLs," said Mahendru. The plant will cater to domestic and international markets, he added.

Mahendru claimed that it is for the first time that the market will receive Indian CFLs with extremely restricted mercury through unique system. It may be mentioned here that number of European countries are planning to ban mercury lamps in view of pollution created by it.

The Haridwar plant will manufacture all 14 popular varieties of CFLs in various colours and sizes.

The company claims to have about 20 per cent market share at national level and about 50 per cent in Gujarat.

Digital power meter plan

The Indo Asian Fusegear is planning to manufacture digital power meters. At present, the company is working on the technology front in association with a foreign technology provider.

"The market for power meters is exciting as all functional meters will have to be replaced soon. Technology is playing a leading role in the power sector and soon pre-paid meters and remote metering will be in place. Moreover, all upcoming commercial and residential set ups will require new meters. We have already finalised a technology provider and we are in final stage of completing the blue print," said Vivek Mahendru, president- operations, IAFL.

However, Mahendru avoided commenting on the possible investment the company will put in for an upcoming project.

"We will announce our detail plan shortly. At present we can only say that the market for power meter can be estimated in few thousand crore and we are eyeing a big pie from that. Presently, there are four to five key players at national level in the field and we will join them soon," said Mahendru.

"The protect will be in right direction by the end of the current fiscal," added Mahendru.