Osim launches health products

LAUNCH

To unwind after a long day's work in office, Gunam Arora, joint MD of the Rs 530-crore Satnam Overseas Ltd, turns to a chair for relaxation. He recently acquired the "holistic" massage chair which is intelligent enough to detect 27 acupressure points in the body. The leather chair can be adjusted according to the occupant's height and provide a range of massages following the pressure points along the spine.

What's more, it comes with a remote control to provide adjustable audio-visual entertainment that synchronises with the tempo of the massage. "It relaxes me," says Arora, who bought the OSIM iSymphonic massage chair for a cool Rs 2.7 lakh.

To pamper your senses, a host of premium de-stress gadgets like massage chairs, foot kneaders, electric manicure and pedicure and hot and cold compresses are set to hit the Indian market.

Paramount Surgimed, exporter of surgical blades and subsidiary of the Rs 30 crore Grover group has tied up with the $288 million Singapore-based OSIM International Ltd to market these lifestyle goods in India and Nepal.

Shaily Grover, managing director of Paramount Surgimed, says that "with the family sizes shrinking and lifestyle illnesses on the rise, home healthcare is growing in importance. "We hope to introduce about 25 products in the first year."

The products range from Osim will include iSense, an electro foot massager ; the PRO therapist, a 280 gm muscle toning device for neck and joint sores; the OSIM Slim Belt for post-natal exercises and the fatigue-reducing Eye Care Massager. The prices of the products vary from Rs 300 (for the compress) to Rs 2.7 lakh (massage chair).

Paramount plans to open 50 outlets in five years and at least four by the end of this year in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ludhiana and Jaipur. Each outlet will roughly cost Rs 40-50 lakh and finance will be privately raised to start with.

The company is projecting a turnover of Rs 8 crore in the first year. "It's going to be focused marketing as the products are niche," says Grover. The company plans to market its products, especially the chairs, to hotels, airport lounges and golf courses.

OSIM International is currently listed at the Singapore Stock Exchange and its brand is valued at $ 203 million.