UK's Promethean targeting Indian education sector

UK-based interactive learning products maker Promethean, which supplies equipments to the IITs and the Indian armed forces, today said it plans to aggressively tap the country's education market and expects to grow by 100 per cent for the next few years.

The 200 million pound company, which specialises in electronic hardboard, input devices, projectors and other learning products, said it expects India to be one of the most promising markets in future.

"Interactive learning devices are fast becoming popular in the country, in schools and colleges and also among corporates. We think the market will grow at 100 per cent annually for the next few years and so shall our business in the country," Promethean Vice-President (Eastern Europe and Central Asia) Peter Ormerod said.

Promethean is present in India under an agreement with Dubai-based distributor Almoe Digital Solutions.

Among its major customers are the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Delhi, IIT-Mumbai, Indian Air Force, Shimla University and the Cochin-based Southern Command of the Indian Navy.

Ormerod said in the last three years, the market for electronic hardboards had grown from a negligible size to 6,000 units at present.

"... India offers immense potential in interactive learning devices. The education sector would be our main focus, although there is demand among corporates and the defence forces also," he said.

The company manufactures its products at its facilities in Shenzhen, China. Each set of interactive learning devices, which includes free software, teacher training and 20,000-odd lesson materials, comes with a price tag of $2,500-3,000.

Promethean claims it had a share of 35 per cent in the 6,000-unit market in 2009.

Commenting on the growth strategy, Almoe Digital Solutions Country Manager Rajiv Johar said the company plans to distribute Promethean's products through retail channels within a year or so.

"Currently we are selling the range through channel partners and directly to institutions and boards. Maybe by next year, we will try to penetrate the retail segment also, starting with large format stationary chains," he said.