Jupiter eyes Rs 100 cr on the back of new unit

Mohali-based sanitary ware maker Jupiter Aqua Lines Ltd (JAL) will set up a unit in Punjab. The firm manufactures faucets, and a range of bathroom fittings and accessories.

Promoted by a group of engineers and other professionals, the company has been marketing high-quality bathroom fittings. Speaking to Business Standard, Managing Director Sudhir K Gulati said spread over 1,000 square yards, the unit would be operational by April next year. "Initially the unit will produce goods worth Rs 40 lakh a month, which is to be scaled up to Rs 1.5 crore per month," Gulati said.

For an industry that is seeing an annual growth rate of 20-25 per cent because of the housing boom, Jupiter Aqua Lines is targeting Rs 100 crore by 2012.

The company manufactures utility items for bathrooms and kitchens, including bib taps, pillar taps, bottle traps, basin mixers, sink mixers, bath mixers, overhead and hand showers, health faucets, flush valves, flush cocks, urinal fittings, hospital fittings, and bath accessories.

"We have launched the 'Operation Sea Gull', based on the Jonathan Swift book, for the next six years and will expand by building infrastructure, distributor networks, and complementary products," Gulati said.

New products in the pipeline are vanities, mirrors, washbasins, and stainless steel kitchen sinks. Products are designed in-house by R&D professionals.

Group firm Aqua System Pvt Ltd does checks on quality control. "Material tests, dimensional & threading checks with standard gauges, hydraulic pressure tests, etc. are important," Gulati said.

The company has recently executed an order for a Fiji-based company and has sent consignments to Nepal, the UK, the US, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan.

Currently, exports account for 10 per cent of the company's annual turnover, which it intends to increase to 15 per cent. Cashing in on the booming retail concept, the company is toying with the idea of having franchisee stores and plans to start them in metros.