Sreelakshmi24’s Blog

One of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of water heaters worldwide and the number one supplier of water heaters in the U.S., A.O. Smith announced an acquisition of 20 acres of land to set up a 76,000 square foot local manufacturing facility in Harohalli Karnataka Industrial Area in Bengaluru. The manufacturing facility will cater to the growing demand for water heaters that are especially customized to suit the requirements of the Indian market and provide A. O. Smith with the ability to expand its manufacturing operations as volumes grow. Construction is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2010. The plant will initially employ approximately 100 employees.

A. O. Smith is the first U.S. water heater business to enter the India market supplying premium quality residential and commercial water heaters to the markets. They have initially begun operations through their residential water heater business. However the company has set up an exclusive team that will be dedicated to expanding their commercial water heater business in India. The company initially began sales offices in 10 cities across India with Bangalore as its head quarters. Following the customer response to the premium water heaters offered by the company, A. O. Smith is now looking at expanding to newer cities. This is largely due to an aggressive marketing strategy followed by the A. O. Smith India marketing team whose aim is to be one of the leading suppliers of premium water heaters in the state.

A. O. Smith has already acquired market share of over 3 percent in just 4 months of operation, following the launch of its water heaters in September 2008 and aims to increase its market share further and re-enforce its commitment to the Indian market.

A. O. Smith has set a priority for the Indian market even in these recessionary times. India has hugely untapped potential for the water heater market which is slated to be at Rs 450 crores for the organised segment and an even larger market for the unorganised segment.

Commenting on this priority set for the Indian market, Mr David Warren, Vice President, International, A. O. Smith, said “We believe that no other water heater company in the world has the resources and technological know-how that A. O. Smith brings to the Indian market. We offer a portfolio of the best-known and widely respected water heater brands in the world. Our company enjoys a 70-year history of engineering excellence, marked by many breakthrough technologies in water heating.”

He further added, “Our long-term commitment to Indian market is what sets us apart from the other international companies that manufacture water heater in India. A. O. Smith is the first U.S. water heater business to enter the India market and is supplying premium quality residential and commercial water heaters to the markets. The company conducted extensive research before entering the market including consumer focus groups and qualitative studies. The sleek designs and colours of the new A. O. Smith water heating product line are the result of this research and acknowledge the growing importance Indian consumers place on the attractiveness of their bathrooms and fixtures”.

The company’s patented Blue Diamond Glass Lining formula out-performs other glass-lined tanks and therefore offers enhanced protection against premature tank failure caused by hard water commonly found in India. The company will also introduce a glass-coated heating element, which will reduce electricity bills and increase the life of the heating element.

Mr Tamal Chaudhuri, National Sales & Marketing Manager, A. O. Smith India said, “Like other countries experiencing rapid growth and industrialization, India too is facing environmental concerns regarding its development, in particular the issue of energy conservation across industries. Responding to these needs, A. O. Smith will utilize innovative international manufacturing expertise to supply energy efficient water heaters to the India market, which is the need of the hour.”

Commenting on the manufacturing facility in Bengaluru, he added, “We have selected Bengaluru for a number of strategic reasons. The city is centrally located in one of our key target markets in India with a growing middle class interested in premium water heater solutions. Bengaluru has extensive engineering and technical resources with a strong local infrastructure that will support our distribution needs across the country.”

The company currently manufactures co-branded products for Jaquar Company, PLC one of the leading suppliers of the sanitary channels in India. A. O. Smith and Jaquar reached a marketing agreement in July.

Cryo-Save Group, Europe’s Largest Adult Stem Cell Banking Company announced the appointment of its new Scientific Director, Professor Colin McGuckin. In his new role, Professor McGuckin will be responsible for integrating new scientific technologies and keeping Cryo-Save’s storage services at the leading edge.

Professor McGuckin has made several advancements in stem cells including the creation of a “mini liver” from the umbilical cord blood, nervous tissues and blood vessels from cord blood cells as well as “pancreatic islets” – a major producer of insulin for treating diabetes amongst others.

Armed with 20 years of experience in stem cells, Professor McGuckin is an opinion leader who has been called upon by governments and hospitals around the world. He is also President of the Novus Sanguis Consortium, which brings together leading adult stem cell researchers and clinicians from across the world to work on specific diseases of the human condition, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and organ degeneration.

Professor McGuckin stated, “My vocation is to treat patients with umbilical cord blood and I believe Cryo-Save, with their innovative and responsible program for storing cord blood will help achieve this goal faster, for more patients on an international scale.”

Rob Koremans, CEO, Cryo-Save said, “Prof. McGuckin’s recruitment is an auxiliary step in our efforts to put Cryo-Save at the forefront of the global stem cell market place. Gaining such tremendous scientific know how will help sustain financial security and contributions to patients”.

Ozonegroup, announced the launch of ‘Ozone Evergreens’, India’s first affordable city housing project. The 912 unit development is located within Bangalore (off Sarjapur road) and is being developed on a 10 acre prime property comprising of two-bed and three-bed units. Ozone Evergreens is exclusively marketed by ICICI Property Services, a division of ICICI Home Finance Company Ltd.

‘Ozone Evergreens’ will offer high-quality amenities and facilities for its residents. The project has a uniquely designed large club house with an exclusive swimming pool for women, a state-of-art gymnasium, Jacuzzi, kids play room with crèche, indoor games room – table tennis, pool, carom, chess, multipurpose hall with dry kitchen, meeting rooms with conference and business centre and convenience stores for fresh fruits, daily needs, pharmacy, ATMs and Kiosks.

The development has ample amenities. An ambulance for emergency for exclusive use of its residents, swimming pool for men with Jacuzzi, children’s pool with activity zone, an amphitheatre, visitor’s surface parking area, children’s play area with skating
ring, jogging tracks, are just some of the amenities provided at Ozone Evergreens.

Speaking on the occasion, Vasudevan. S, Managing Director, Ozonegroup, said, “Ozonegroup has been working on lowering the bar for home buyers and will now have the unique distinction of being the first real estate development company to develop and offer a ‘city based affordable housing project’. We are sure ‘Ozone Evergreens’ will set a new benchmark in affordable housing projects.” “Ozonegroup through ‘Ozone Evergreens’ project will be fulfilling the aspiring need for quality, affordable housing for the customer”, he added.

Headquartered in Bangalore with offices in Chennai and Goa, the group currently has projects in Bangalore, Chennai and Goa. All projects of Ozonegroup are aesthetically designed with world class architectural capabilities. The projects offer a variety of amenities for customers which enable them to lead a better quality of life. In addition, the projects are designed with an emphasis on being very environmentally responsible. The development will have unique water management and conservation systems. Rainwater Harvesting systems and primary and tertiary water treatment will recycle and reuse black as well as grey water, thus conserving both ground water sources as well as municipal water.

Added Sudarshan K.S, Chief Operating Officer, Ozonegroup, “We have been working on making homes affordable to a larger segment of the population and Ozone Evergreens is the first small step to make homes affordable for a large section of the city’s population. We have worked diligently in optimizing the designs resulting in Ozone Evergreens having high quality, safety and finish. Ozone Evergreens has fully loaded amenities that would re-define the meaning of affordable housing in India. This project will set the benchmark for value-for-money real estate products.” Adding further, he said, “The units are uniquely designed so that units do not face each other, utilize natural lighting in the best possible way, face either the background greenery or the landscape and the structures are Seismic Zone II compliant.”

Evergreens will be ready for occupation by February 2011.

You can visit www.ozonegroup.com for further information.