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[January 2009]
Kohler gets permit for two more plants in Gujarat
Kohler India, one of the premier manufacturers in bathware and sanitaryware has received the licenses for expanding its present manufacturing plant and developing two more plants in Gujarat. It has already started the operations of its first manufacturing unit developed across a 250 acre plot. It has incurred an investment of about USD 200 million for the same. The manufacturing plant is the US based company’s 50th plant and is the largest in Asia. While the existing plant manufactures sanitaryware, the two new plants will manufacture faucets and acrylic bathtubs. The two plants are expected to be ready by 2010. The sanitaryware plant will also roll out its first product line into the market by January 22, 2008.
The company is strongly focusing on establishing its brand in the Indian hospitality market. Sharad Mathur, Managing Director, Kohler India states, “About 20 per cent of our revenues are generated from the hospitality segment. We have a dedicated team focusing on this segment and innovating products to cater to the needs of the hospitality industry. Bathrooms in hotels are often reference points for every guest who wishes to replicate the same within his residence. Thus, this is a significant segment for us.”
The company has set up large warehouses in Mumbai and Delhi and has about 80 dealer showrooms across India. Kohler India is focusing strongly on investing in the new manufacturing plants, increasing the distribution network, brand building and business development in 2009. “We are targeting every property coming up in the country for introducing our products,” Mathur adds. The company is presently working with several hotel chains across India. Within one year of operations, in 2008, the company has installed its products in 6,600 bathrooms across various hotel segments in India. It caters to hotel chains across the three, four and five-star segment including boutique properties and high end luxury apartments. It also offers a variety of products and price range convenient for players across the industry.
It has recently introduced a new product line named ‘Stillness’ specially designed for suites. The company also strongly focuses on water conservation techniques and has implemented them with the use of technology and design innovation in its product line.
ENDS