The Hindu Business Line : Blue Star introduces new range of split A/C

BLUE Star Ltd has introduced a new range of mega split air-conditioners for the light commercial market such as small offices and showrooms. The three-tonne air-conditioner is priced at Rs 47,000, said Mr T.G.S. Babu, Executive Director.

The air-conditioner market in India is estimated at Rs 3,800 crore with central air-conditioners accounting for Rs 1,600 crore and room air-conditioners for Rs 2,200 crore, and growing at a rate of 30 per cent, he said.

Information technology and IT-enabled services are driving growth in the commercial air-conditioning industry. The other service sectors such as healthcare, hospitality, entertainment, telecom and banking have also contributed to the growth. According to Mr Babu, the small office home office segment, as well as the offices of doctors, lawyers, chartered accountants and architects, has fuelled the growth of the light commercial air-conditioning segment.

The company expects to increase its market share in the light commercial market with this new product. The company has also initiated a programme to commission around 100 product display areas across major cities. The first 50 of these centres will be ready by March next year and the rest during the course of next year. These centres will be co-funded by the company and the respective dealers, he said.

The company spends around Rs 13 crore on promotions, and of this, Rs 9 crore on media alone, said Mr Babu.

The market for commercial refrigeration is estimated to be in excess of Rs 900 crore and is driven by the food and food processing industry. Blue Star manufactures and markets a wide range of commercial refrigeration equipment and now has plans to enter the ammonia cold storage segment. The company's plant in Thane is gearing up for this, Mr Babu said. The company has four factories and is planning to set up another one in Himachal Pradesh.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
BSNL cuts STD rates 33 pc — 60% reduction in mobile tariff

Hutch extends flat tariffs to post-paid plans

Lotus Chocolate Company sets sights on low-end market

Now property purchase in Pune comes with warranty

Hitachi mulls launching refrigerator range

Godfrey Phillips unveils mobile smoking lounge in Mumbai

Western Rly Mumbai clocks 68 pc rise in ad revenue

`Smart Kitchen' outlets of TTK Prestige to go national soon

ITC Foods withdraws Bischips snack brand

Blue Star introduces new range of split A/C