Kirloskar Copeland, the leading compressor manufacturer, is planning to introduce two more compressors in the next six months in the room air-conditioner segment.
These will be a part of the CK-3 range which was launched earlier this year. The company has already introduced a 1.5 tonne version of the CK-3 range. It now plans to introduce the 1.75 tonne and the 2 tonne versions.
This is a part of the company's strategy to face competition with the easing of tariff barriers as a part of the World Trade Organisation regime.
"There will be a wide range of new compressors which will be imported due to the easing of tariff barriers. Under these circumstance we want to be present in every product category to maintain our leadership position," K Taranath, managing director, Kirloskar Copeland, said.
He however refused to spell out the price of the new compressors. At present customs duty is levied at the rate of 35 per cent on compressors.
The technology for the new offerings has been indigenously developed by Kirloskar Copeland. The unique selling proposition of these two new products is that they will be smaller in size and will also make less noise Taranath added.
The new products will also be exported to the Middle -East region especially countries like Saudi Arabia as the climatic conditions there are quite similar to those in India.
Earlier, this year the 1.5 tonne version of the CK-3 range was introduced and it has been priced at about Rs 5,500.
Kirloskar Copeland is a 51:49 joint venture between Pune-based Kirloskar Brothers and US-based Copeland Corporation.
The $1.6 billion Copeland Corporation is one of the largest producers of compressors worldwide and has over 10, 000 compressor models in its portfolio. Kirloskar Copeland is a market leader in the air conditioning compressor industry in India.
It has manufacturing facilities at Karad and Atit in Maharashtra. Apart from room air conditioning, the company also has a significant presence in commercial air conditioning and commercial refrigeration.
The compressors are used in refrigerators, water coolers, cream cabinets, ice cube machines, oil coolers and milk chillers.
