Homegrown consumer electronics major Videocon group is in talks with leading international players, including Samsung and Sony, for original equipment (OE) supplies of high-end liquid crystal displays (LCD).
The company, which has set up a $200-million plant in Italy for manufacturing of the LCD panels, has started operations and is currently doing test marketing in the European markets.
"This Italy plant is mainly aimed at OE supplies and we have been talking to supply to all major global players, including Sony and Samsung," Videocon Group Chairman Venugopal Dhoot said.
He said the company expected to sign a definitive supply agreement in three months time with some of the major players. He said the investments required for the plant in Italy was raised from there only.
"Although the plant is primarily meant for the overseas markets, we will also be bringing the products to India for Videocon's own domestic requirements. This will give us an advantage despite the import tariff that we may incur," Dhoot added.
Over the past few years, Videocon has been focus sing on expanding not only in the domestic market but also overseas through acquisitions. It had acquired the picture tube business of Thompson and also the Indian subsidiary of AB Elextrolux of Sweden. It was also in the race to acquire Korea's ailing electronics giant Daewoo only to stumble at the last stage.
Dhoot said the company has been able to garner 30 per cent share in the Indian consumer durables market and expects to grow it further.
"The industry grew by 15 per cent last year and we, in Videocon, believe will continue to better the industry growth," Dhoot said.
In the quarter ended December 2007, Videocon Industries had recorded a net sales of Rs 2,362.16 crore with a net profit of Rs 249.49 crore.
The Indian consumer durables industry is estimated to be valued at 22 billion dollars and is expected to expand to 160 billion dollars by 2016.
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