Agilent to focus on SMBs

US-based Agilent Technologies Inc, a laboratory analytical equipment and measurement tools manufacturer, is focusing on developing a product portfolio targeting small and medium businesses (SMBs) for which it expects India and China to offer a great market potential.

"We expect the SMB segment to contribute between 20 per cent and 25 per cent to the total revenues of the company in future," Tony Owen, worldwide marketing manager, Agilent Technologies, said. He termed both the Asian giants as the fastest growing markets in this segment.

The company launched its first product designed to suit the budget and needs of the SMB segment, Agilent 1120 Compact LC (Liquid Chromotograph), in the Indian market at Hyderabad on Wednesday, the only other country where it will be available apart from China.

These and other laboratory testing and measurement equipment have a variety of application in a range of areas including food safety, environment, chemicals, petrochemicals, institutions and colleges.

Though Owen said SMB had a high growth area in the two countries, he, however, refused to quantify the business potential stating that it was still in the process of evolving. The Compact LC is priced between $10,000 and $28,000.

The company, which focuses on products and technology innovations useful in areas of chemical analysis, pharmaceutical analysis, genomics and proteomics, has proposed to invest $35 million in India, most which will be in developing its first manufacturing facility in India at Manesar near Gurgaon. This is expected to be ready in the year 2009.