Chennai: Infosys and Wipro have been named among the top seven vendors in the world of smart-grid software, a recent research report of GTM Research has said. Smart grids are those that have electrical devices with embedded software that can give out a fund of data in order that the grid may be better managed. Software is a key part of smart grids.
GTM Research, a well-known greentech research company, sought to find out who the Big Fish are in each segment of smart grid software. Under the head ‘Utility systems development and integration, data analytics and cyber security', GTM has named seven companies. Infosys and Wipro are in the elite company of five other global giants – IBM, Oracle, Siemens, Accenture and Schneider Electric.
Even in this well-knit world, having two home-grown biggies is seen as an advantage because smart grid is an area that specially requires local knowledge. Several experts have commented on the uniqueness of the Indian grid and hence the uniqueness of the opportunities any revamping of it provides.
At a conference in Mumbai on smart grid, Dr Rajit Gadh, Professor at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), stressed on the “importance of determining the local nuances of the Indian market.”
Speaking toBusiness Linelast week, Mr Anand Padmanabhan, Senior Vice-President, Energy, Natural Resources & Utilities, Wipro Technologies, noted that India is characterised by the need to manage demand rather than supply of electricity, very different from the developed countries.
Wipro and Infosys have experience of having worked abroad on smart grids and with their knowledge of India too, are well placed to serve the needs of the emerging smart grid in India. According to a report (of Zpryme) the Indian government will spend $11 billion to reduce line losses to less than 15 percent in five years in urban and high-density areas. One-fifth of those funds will be dedicated to using IT at state-run distribution companies.
IT companies have solutions such as back-end solutions, remote infrastructure maintenance, CRM, systems integrations. Wipro and Infosys also know smart grid.
India is seen as the place where smart grid could be built from the scratch, leapfrogging several technologies that emerged and expired in the last several years.
With the experience of having worked abroad, Wipro knows what needs to be done in India now so that the grid is good still ten years down the line, said Mr Padmanabhan.
Success in my Habit
Monday, February 20, 2012
US companies keen on joint ventures
Hyderabad: US companies are looking at forming joint ventures with their Indian counterparts in the areas of engineering, information technology, data entry and healthcare, according to Ms Susan Au Allen, President and Chief Executive Officer, the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation.
Addressing the captains of industry in a programme organised by the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry on the occasion of a US trade delegation visit here on Saturday, she said small companies here could explore the possibility of expanding to the US.
India has the advantage of largest human resource base of English speaking people. However, the US companies were no longer seeking India as a cheaper location for business outsourcing/other activities, she said.
“Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines are cheaper than India. India is moving towards hi-end projects,'' she added.
On the perception of India in the US, Ms Allen said the Americans were now feeling that their jobs were going to India.
The visit of the US delegation was organised by the Fapcci, Hyderabad Management Association and GMRI Technology and Services Pvt Ltd, according to a release.
Addressing the captains of industry in a programme organised by the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry on the occasion of a US trade delegation visit here on Saturday, she said small companies here could explore the possibility of expanding to the US.
India has the advantage of largest human resource base of English speaking people. However, the US companies were no longer seeking India as a cheaper location for business outsourcing/other activities, she said.
“Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines are cheaper than India. India is moving towards hi-end projects,'' she added.
On the perception of India in the US, Ms Allen said the Americans were now feeling that their jobs were going to India.
The visit of the US delegation was organised by the Fapcci, Hyderabad Management Association and GMRI Technology and Services Pvt Ltd, according to a release.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
TIL brings out India's first magazine 'Tweek' for tablets
New Delhi: Times Internet Limited has launched 'Tweek', India's first magazine on the tablet that can be accessed on the iPad and will soon be available on the iPhone and Android.
"With Ats launch, we intend to pioneer the 'tablet magazine' space in India," says Rishi Khiani, CEO, Times Internet Limited. Tweek will feature stories from around the world, across categories such as business, entertainment, lifestyle and sports.
It will enable the reader to not just read a story, but also to listen to it and watch it.
The Tweek application for the tablet, has been developed in partnership with cloud-based mobile publishing company GENWI.
"With Ats launch, we intend to pioneer the 'tablet magazine' space in India," says Rishi Khiani, CEO, Times Internet Limited. Tweek will feature stories from around the world, across categories such as business, entertainment, lifestyle and sports.
It will enable the reader to not just read a story, but also to listen to it and watch it.
The Tweek application for the tablet, has been developed in partnership with cloud-based mobile publishing company GENWI.
World Kitchen launches India subsidiary; ties up with TTK
New Delhi: World Kitchen Holding Company LLC, the Illinois-based firm which markets and distributes high-end kitchenware brands like Corelle, Corningware and Pyrex cutlery, on Thursday announced it is setting up a wholly-owned subsidiary in India to be called World Kitchen (India).
Under the new subsidiary, World Kitchen will sell kitchenware to consumers through retail outlets and channel partners.
A press release issued by the company said World Kitchen Holding has tied up with TTK Prestige as a distribution partner for the southern states.
Joseph Mallof, president and CEO of World Kitchen Holding Company said in a statement: "Establishing an Indian subsidiary will enable us to better meet the demands of a rapidly evolving consumer base." World Kitchen Company also operates as an Asian entity called World Kitchen (Asia Pacific) based in Singapore.
Under the new subsidiary, World Kitchen will sell kitchenware to consumers through retail outlets and channel partners.
A press release issued by the company said World Kitchen Holding has tied up with TTK Prestige as a distribution partner for the southern states.
Joseph Mallof, president and CEO of World Kitchen Holding Company said in a statement: "Establishing an Indian subsidiary will enable us to better meet the demands of a rapidly evolving consumer base." World Kitchen Company also operates as an Asian entity called World Kitchen (Asia Pacific) based in Singapore.
Medical devices maker Covidien sets up India R&D centre
Hyderabad: Covidien, a US-based manufacturer of medical devices and pharmaceuticals, has set up its first research and development centre in the country.
“The Indian healthcare devices market is part of our focus on emerging markets. The Hyderabad centre will enable us to improve product time to market and create valued-innovation,” Mr Robert Frechette, Vice-President (Engineering Services), told newspersons after the inauguration of the centre here on Thursday.
The value of the Indian medical devices market is estimated at $4 billion, and is clocking a growth rate of 15 per cent annually , he added.
Apart from designing products to suit local market needs, the R&D unit would utilise India's huge talent pool to provide a range of engineering services for the company's medical products business.
The company plans to hire over 350 professionals for the centre over the next two years. Some 30 people are already working at the 40,000-square-foot facility.
Mr Arjun Sarker, Managing Director — Indian sub-continent, Covidien, said the business focus in India would be on surgical solutions and medical devices, though the company is strong in the pharmaceuticals business too.
“The Indian healthcare devices market is part of our focus on emerging markets. The Hyderabad centre will enable us to improve product time to market and create valued-innovation,” Mr Robert Frechette, Vice-President (Engineering Services), told newspersons after the inauguration of the centre here on Thursday.
The value of the Indian medical devices market is estimated at $4 billion, and is clocking a growth rate of 15 per cent annually , he added.
Apart from designing products to suit local market needs, the R&D unit would utilise India's huge talent pool to provide a range of engineering services for the company's medical products business.
The company plans to hire over 350 professionals for the centre over the next two years. Some 30 people are already working at the 40,000-square-foot facility.
Mr Arjun Sarker, Managing Director — Indian sub-continent, Covidien, said the business focus in India would be on surgical solutions and medical devices, though the company is strong in the pharmaceuticals business too.
I&B, Tourism Ministries to promote India as film hub
ew Delhi: In a bid to give a fillip to the ‘Incredible India' campaign and cinema as a sub-brand of Incredible India at various international film festivals and markets abroad, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Ministry of Tourism on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding to provide support for film tourism.
According to the MoU, the Ministry of Tourism will provide budgetary support for identified film festivals and provide a single window clearance for film shooting permissions. It will create a film tourism vertical, promoting India as a filming destination both for domestic and foreign film producers.
The Ministries would constitute a National Level Committee for coordination with various stakeholders for promotion of India as a tourism and film destination. The Committee will initiate dialogues with the State Government and Union Territories within India for development of locations for film shootings.
“India produces a large number of films which are a brand in themselves and as a destination we are quite attractive. The idea is to synergise the attempts of both the Ministries,” said Ms Ambika Soni, Information and Broadcasting Minister.
The MoU is expected to increase world tourist arrivals in the country from 0.06 per cent to 1.0 per cent by the end of the 12th Five-Year Plan. This would result in achieving 11.37 million foreign tourist arrivals by 2016, as compared to 6.29 million foreign tourists in 2011. “The additional 5 million inbound tourist would create three crore jobs in the country,” said the Minster of Tourism, Mr Subodh Kant Sahay.
Last year, the I&B Ministry had tried to integrate the brand ‘Cinemas of India' with the ‘Incredible India' campaign at the Cannes Film Festival.
According to the MoU, the Ministry of Tourism will provide budgetary support for identified film festivals and provide a single window clearance for film shooting permissions. It will create a film tourism vertical, promoting India as a filming destination both for domestic and foreign film producers.
The Ministries would constitute a National Level Committee for coordination with various stakeholders for promotion of India as a tourism and film destination. The Committee will initiate dialogues with the State Government and Union Territories within India for development of locations for film shootings.
“India produces a large number of films which are a brand in themselves and as a destination we are quite attractive. The idea is to synergise the attempts of both the Ministries,” said Ms Ambika Soni, Information and Broadcasting Minister.
The MoU is expected to increase world tourist arrivals in the country from 0.06 per cent to 1.0 per cent by the end of the 12th Five-Year Plan. This would result in achieving 11.37 million foreign tourist arrivals by 2016, as compared to 6.29 million foreign tourists in 2011. “The additional 5 million inbound tourist would create three crore jobs in the country,” said the Minster of Tourism, Mr Subodh Kant Sahay.
Last year, the I&B Ministry had tried to integrate the brand ‘Cinemas of India' with the ‘Incredible India' campaign at the Cannes Film Festival.
Amway India to set up Rs 300-cr greenfield facility
Kolkata: Amway India, a direct selling FMCG company, plans to set up its first greenfield manufacturing facility in the country at an estimated investment of about Rs 300 crore.
The plant is expected to be commissioned in 2014 and will primarily manufacture products under the nutrition and beauty categories, said Mr William S. Pinckney, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Amway India.
Financials
The company is aiming at a turnover of Rs 2,500 crore in the current fiscal (it follows the January-December accounting year).
Amway witnessed a 19 per cent growth in turnover at Rs 2,130 crore last year, Mr Pinckney said.
The growth in revenues was primarily driven by sale of nutritional supplement products under the brand ‘Nutrilite', followed by beauty and healthcare products, he said.
Ad spend
“The double-digit growth in the last four years has been buoyed by the launch of world-class superior-quality products in the lead categories of health and beauty, increased consumer access strategy coupled with experimental marketing and brand awareness, and product penetration in semi-urban and rural markets,” he said.
The company has earmarked Rs 53 crore towards advertising and marketing this year.
The plant is expected to be commissioned in 2014 and will primarily manufacture products under the nutrition and beauty categories, said Mr William S. Pinckney, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Amway India.
Financials
The company is aiming at a turnover of Rs 2,500 crore in the current fiscal (it follows the January-December accounting year).
Amway witnessed a 19 per cent growth in turnover at Rs 2,130 crore last year, Mr Pinckney said.
The growth in revenues was primarily driven by sale of nutritional supplement products under the brand ‘Nutrilite', followed by beauty and healthcare products, he said.
Ad spend
“The double-digit growth in the last four years has been buoyed by the launch of world-class superior-quality products in the lead categories of health and beauty, increased consumer access strategy coupled with experimental marketing and brand awareness, and product penetration in semi-urban and rural markets,” he said.
The company has earmarked Rs 53 crore towards advertising and marketing this year.
Marico buys Paras' personal care brands from Reckitt
Mumbai: Homegrown consumer products company Marico has acquired the personal care portfolio of Paras from British consumer goods maker Reckitt Benckiser. While Marico did not disclose the deal size, analysts estimate the portfolio, which includes brands such as Livon, Set Wet and Zatak, to be valued at Rs 600-700 crore.
Reckitt put the personal care business, likely to close this financial year with sales of Rs 150 crore, on the block soon after it acquired Paras last year. Morgan Stanley was the advisor to Reckitt on the current transaction. So at Rs 600 crore, it will be four times the sales.
In December, Reckitt acquired Paras Pharma’s over-the-counter and personal care portfolio for Rs 3,260 crore, at seven times its then sales.
For Marico, the current acquisition is a “good complement” to its existing business, which includes mainly hair oil brand Parachute and edible oil Saffola. Milind Sarwate, group chief financial officer, Marico, said the acquisition would give it a greater foothold in the male grooming segment apart from personal care. “All the three Paras brands have been growing at a clip of about 20 per cent per annum,” he said, adding: “The acquisition allows Marico to participate in high-growth categories.”
“You can create a category of the future. Operationally, there are great synergies and we can reach out to a global audience with these additional brands. We already have existing brands of our own in these categories, but now, this will boost our value-added portfolio,” said Saugata Gupta, chief executive of Marico’s consumer products business.
By industry estimates, the male grooming category, including pre- and post-shaving products, men’s toiletries, skin care and hair care products, is close to Rs 3,000 crore in size.
The segments of haircare (Set Wet and Livon) and deodorants (Zatak), in particular, are growing at a clip of 25 per cent and are estimated to be Rs 300 crore and Rs 400 crore in size, respectively.
Marico said it would complete the acquisition in two to three months. It would fund the deal using a mix of debt, equity and internal accruals.
Reckitt had said it wanted to focus on the healthcare portfolio of Paras, which has brands such as D'Cold, Krack and Moov, in an effort to drive greater synergies with its existing business.
Globally, Reckitt is focusing hard on healthcare besides household care, a key category for the company. The Rs 2,000-crore Reckitt India derives bulk of its revenues from Dettol, which plays on the health & wellness platform.
Reckitt’s global chief executive, Rakesh Kapoor, is also said to be excited about healthcare, especially in emerging markets, where the potential is substantial.
Reckitt put the personal care business, likely to close this financial year with sales of Rs 150 crore, on the block soon after it acquired Paras last year. Morgan Stanley was the advisor to Reckitt on the current transaction. So at Rs 600 crore, it will be four times the sales.
In December, Reckitt acquired Paras Pharma’s over-the-counter and personal care portfolio for Rs 3,260 crore, at seven times its then sales.
For Marico, the current acquisition is a “good complement” to its existing business, which includes mainly hair oil brand Parachute and edible oil Saffola. Milind Sarwate, group chief financial officer, Marico, said the acquisition would give it a greater foothold in the male grooming segment apart from personal care. “All the three Paras brands have been growing at a clip of about 20 per cent per annum,” he said, adding: “The acquisition allows Marico to participate in high-growth categories.”
“You can create a category of the future. Operationally, there are great synergies and we can reach out to a global audience with these additional brands. We already have existing brands of our own in these categories, but now, this will boost our value-added portfolio,” said Saugata Gupta, chief executive of Marico’s consumer products business.
By industry estimates, the male grooming category, including pre- and post-shaving products, men’s toiletries, skin care and hair care products, is close to Rs 3,000 crore in size.
The segments of haircare (Set Wet and Livon) and deodorants (Zatak), in particular, are growing at a clip of 25 per cent and are estimated to be Rs 300 crore and Rs 400 crore in size, respectively.
Marico said it would complete the acquisition in two to three months. It would fund the deal using a mix of debt, equity and internal accruals.
Reckitt had said it wanted to focus on the healthcare portfolio of Paras, which has brands such as D'Cold, Krack and Moov, in an effort to drive greater synergies with its existing business.
Globally, Reckitt is focusing hard on healthcare besides household care, a key category for the company. The Rs 2,000-crore Reckitt India derives bulk of its revenues from Dettol, which plays on the health & wellness platform.
Reckitt’s global chief executive, Rakesh Kapoor, is also said to be excited about healthcare, especially in emerging markets, where the potential is substantial.
US delegation to visit West Bengal on February 17 with focus on port sector
Kolkata: A fairly large US delegation is tipped to visit West Bengal on February 17. The team will, essentially, focus on the port sector. The delegation will begin its India trip with Kolkata and then travel to other cities.
According to Ms Judy Reinke, minister counselor for commercial affairs in the US embassy in Delhi, members from at least seven US companies, US Trade and Development Agency and Overseas Private Investment Corporation will form part of the delegation. Ms Reinke was speaking in the city recently.
Incidentally, the companies will include the Port of Baltimore, Ellicott Dredges, DSC Dredges, Great Lakes Bridge & Dock Company and Thermo Fisher. During their two-day stay in Kolkata, the delegation will meet the Union minister of state for shipping, Mukul Roy, and travel to Haldia.
This will be the first visit by a US team to Kolkata in four years. ""This trip will pave the way for more visits by US teams to this city. For instance, we are expecting a water management delegation in April and a mining delegation in December, to mention just two of them,"" Ms Reinke said.
Amongst sectors which interest the US, from the point of view of investment, embrace ports, mining, water management, agri equipment and agriculture in general. The US has certainly changed its strategy as far as trade with Kolkata, and India, goes. ""The efforts are visible,"" Ms Reinke said.
According to Ms Judy Reinke, minister counselor for commercial affairs in the US embassy in Delhi, members from at least seven US companies, US Trade and Development Agency and Overseas Private Investment Corporation will form part of the delegation. Ms Reinke was speaking in the city recently.
Incidentally, the companies will include the Port of Baltimore, Ellicott Dredges, DSC Dredges, Great Lakes Bridge & Dock Company and Thermo Fisher. During their two-day stay in Kolkata, the delegation will meet the Union minister of state for shipping, Mukul Roy, and travel to Haldia.
This will be the first visit by a US team to Kolkata in four years. ""This trip will pave the way for more visits by US teams to this city. For instance, we are expecting a water management delegation in April and a mining delegation in December, to mention just two of them,"" Ms Reinke said.
Amongst sectors which interest the US, from the point of view of investment, embrace ports, mining, water management, agri equipment and agriculture in general. The US has certainly changed its strategy as far as trade with Kolkata, and India, goes. ""The efforts are visible,"" Ms Reinke said.
3 Indian firms get diamond processing licences in Botswana
Mumbai: The opening of Botswana as a major diamond trading hub has opened a new window of opportunity for Indian processing companies.
Three diamond merchants from India have secured licences for participating directly in benefication projects there to ensure supply of rough diamonds.
The move assumes significance as setting up diamond processing units will not only assure rough supplies from Diamond Trading Company (DTC), the marketing arm of the world’s largest mining company, De Beers, but also ensure control over price fluctuations, besides sustained supplies.
While Shrenuj & Co had received licences three years ago, the company has spent $5 million so far in developing a small processing unit. Now, the Shreyas Doshi-led company plans to invest another $5-10 million to set up a full-fledged large diamond cutting and polishing unit in Botswana. Suashish Diamonds and Blue Star are the other two companies that have secured licences in Botswana.
“The detailed plan is being worked out. But, we are planning to invest another $5-10 million as working capital for procuring plant and machinery for a large processing unit,” said Doshi, chairman of the company.
Shrenuj & Co started its South African operations in 2009, marking its presence in the 14th country worldwide. This development follows commencement of its manufacturing unit in Botswana in August the same year. These operations in the southern part of the African continent provide continued access to rough diamonds directly from the mining sources. In these times when diamond reserves are dwindling, these developments acquire importance. Through its South African office, Shrenuj gains access to very high quality rough diamonds from all of southern Africa. The company has already been granted a site by DTC Botswana.
Suashish’s principal manufacturing units are in India, with global distribution through subsidiaries and strategic partnerships in all major markets across the world.
Blue Star Diamonds is a private sector company that offers services in gems, jewellery and watches, with annual total turnover of Rs 250-500 crore. The government of Botswana has issued 21 licences so far to global players, of which five have been given to Indian-origin companies.
Three diamond merchants from India have secured licences for participating directly in benefication projects there to ensure supply of rough diamonds.
The move assumes significance as setting up diamond processing units will not only assure rough supplies from Diamond Trading Company (DTC), the marketing arm of the world’s largest mining company, De Beers, but also ensure control over price fluctuations, besides sustained supplies.
While Shrenuj & Co had received licences three years ago, the company has spent $5 million so far in developing a small processing unit. Now, the Shreyas Doshi-led company plans to invest another $5-10 million to set up a full-fledged large diamond cutting and polishing unit in Botswana. Suashish Diamonds and Blue Star are the other two companies that have secured licences in Botswana.
“The detailed plan is being worked out. But, we are planning to invest another $5-10 million as working capital for procuring plant and machinery for a large processing unit,” said Doshi, chairman of the company.
Shrenuj & Co started its South African operations in 2009, marking its presence in the 14th country worldwide. This development follows commencement of its manufacturing unit in Botswana in August the same year. These operations in the southern part of the African continent provide continued access to rough diamonds directly from the mining sources. In these times when diamond reserves are dwindling, these developments acquire importance. Through its South African office, Shrenuj gains access to very high quality rough diamonds from all of southern Africa. The company has already been granted a site by DTC Botswana.
Suashish’s principal manufacturing units are in India, with global distribution through subsidiaries and strategic partnerships in all major markets across the world.
Blue Star Diamonds is a private sector company that offers services in gems, jewellery and watches, with annual total turnover of Rs 250-500 crore. The government of Botswana has issued 21 licences so far to global players, of which five have been given to Indian-origin companies.
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