Parryware has 'tapped' 5 pc market in tap segment

Chennai, Feb 23 (UNI) In its first full year of operation, Parryware, a division of the city-based EID Parry (India) Limited, has garnered five per cent share of the Rs 400 crore organised taps and fittings market, its CEO K E Ranganathan has said.

Sharing his perspectives with UNI here, he said Parryware was slated to occupy the tenth slot in the top ten global brands when the one million capacity sanitaryware plant at Perundurai in Erode began production in April 2006.

Describing the foray into the taps and fittings segment as a 'satisfactory' experience, Mr Ranganathan said the segment was fairly big and organised and a five per cent share augured well.

Parryware, part of the Rs 6,200 crore Murugappa group, was confident of doubling its market share in this segment in two years.

Range of taps and fittings available were 14 and through its 400 plus dealer network, the effort was to provide 'total bathroom solutions.' This could be achieved by Parryware's association with builders like Jaipuria, Vatika, South City and Purvankara. 'Our aim is to package sanitaryware and fittings, apart from the glamouroom concept, wherein a one-stop-shop kind of bathroom experience is possible.' The Erode plant on a 50-acre plot in SIPCOT industrial area with investment of Rs 60 crore, was on schedule, he said, adding it would add one million pieces to the existing capacity of 3.5 million.

Mr Ranganathan said Parryware had a 42 per cent market share in the organised sector now and it would touch 45 per cent next year.

Four to five per cent sales were earmarked for promotional activity.

It now had 14 customer care centres in the country and there would be an addition of six such 24 x 7 care centres by next year.

He said attempts were on to convert toilets in airport arrival lounges into 'hygiene zones.' 'We shall have electronic flushing, which will halve water consumption and these will be touch-free.' More UNI HV AA 0957