Fraser Techno to set up unit in Bangalore

Bangalore-based Fraser Techno Circuits Limited, a surge protector and racking machine manufacturer, plans to set up a unit in Bangalore for racking devices and high-end power strips with an investment of around Rs 25 lakh.

Speaking to Business Standard, Narendra Damani, director of Fraser Techno Circuits Limited, said, "The company has recently entered in to a joint venture partnership with UK-based Aphel Technologies Limited."

He said that the facility would be ready by the end of February and plans to export the products to the Middle East and Southeast Asian markets by mid 2005. Damani said that expansion is being undertaken to capture the huge market for surge protectors among laptop and desktop users.

"Apart from selling individual products, the company is also foraying into the surge protector and laptop accessories market by offering a kit that includes a variety of devices that helps an international traveller to easily set up his desktop where ever he goes, irrespective of the type of electrical equipments available there," he said.

The laptop travel kit, which comes handy even while travelling comprises power adaptors, mobile chargers, jumper cables, surge protectors, voice and data extension cables, K plugs telecom connectors broadband connectors and flight lights and is priced at Rs 3,500.

The company claims the product to be the first of its kind in the country and has already sold 300 kits mostly to the corporates. In the current calendar year the company expects to sell close to 800 kits and around 14,000 units of surge protectors.

The company, which has around 25 professionals is also planning to increase the headcount, as it is foraying into manufacturing new products.

"This year, we are planning to come out with a solar powered adaptor and a water purifier along with the kit. The company also plans to roll out a 96 server racking mount on a two power module," he said. The new racking mount would hit the market in the next six months, Damani added.

According to him, the first three quarters of the current fiscal have been good for the company and its current turnover is just under Rs 1 crore and expects to close the financial year at Rs 1.5 crore. The company's revenue from exports last year was around 15 per cent of the total sales and by the end of May this year, Damani said around 25 per cent of the total revenue would be generated exports.

The company, at present, has five distributors at present plans to add another 25 in the next 18 months and Damani said that the company is looking at having one or two distributors in Andhra Pradesh.