Aus lighting giant sees Gujarat as export hub

Gerard Lighting, a group company of Australia's Gerard Corporation, seems to be banking on Gujarat for exporting its lighting products.

The company has recently relocated manufacturing of one of its product in Gujarat and it hopes to start exporting the product from next week.

"India is a very good low cost manufacturing platform for the company, especially because the cost of manufacturing in Australia is higher. Gujarat is an important regional hub for exporting our products", said Robert Gerard, executive chairman, Gerard Corporation. India alone has Rs. 2,500 crore lighting market. Adelaide-based company has recently commissioned its Rs. 3 crore facility at Ahmedabad for manufacturing lighting solutions.

"Apart from being a business friendly country, India also offers huge local market for Gerard's lighting products. With our focus on countries surrounding Indian ocean, Gujarat provides big export opportunities", he added. According to Rakesh Kasliwal, MD, Pierlite India, the company will start exporting its lighting products from Gujarat by next week. Pierlite is flagship brand of Gerard Group's lighting business.