Godrej Appliances to expand product category

Kolkata, June 22: Godrej Appliances, a group company of Godrej&Boyce Mfg Co Ltd, is planning to introduce new products like dishwashers, commercial refrigeration, kitchen appliance under the recently launched EON brand.

Speaking to sources, Godrej&Boyce Mfg Co Ltd CEO George Menezes said the company has appointed GFK Mode to carry out a market study for these possible categories to be included under the premium EON umbrella.

''The products like dishwashers and kitchen appliances are very popular in Western markets. These did not pick up in India. We will decide to launch these products after the survey,'' he said.

''We want to consolidate our presence in the home appliance segment while the entry into commercial refrigeration will enable us to expoilt the huge boom in the organised retail,'' Mr Menezes said.

The company already has air-conditioners, washing machines, microwave ovens and DVD players, along with the largest selling refrigerator, under the EON brand.

At present, EON contributes only 30 per cent of the topline growth of the division, but this share will be increased as the company enters high technology areas where there are no organised players.

While the appliances market has grown at 15 per cent, Godrej&Boyce's appliances division has registered growth in the sales at 45 per cent in the first two months of the current fiscal. The appliances division has a turnover of Rs 1000 crore and is estimated to grow by 30 per cent this fiscal.

He did not rule out the possibility of launching colour TV by launching a survey. However, he refused divulge further details.

UNI