Bpl Set To Line Up Up New Home Appliances

The first in the series of product introduction will be a new range of washing machines -- semiautomatic, automatic and front loading.

However, microwave ovens will not be a focus area for the company. M K Tribhuvan, business head, home appliances business group, said, "In case of microwaves, the potential for penetration is not high. It is still an urban phenomenon."

But he ruled out any possibility of prices being slashed. "That is not usually our style," he said.

BPL has also maintained its leadership in the frost-free refrigerator segment with a market share of 31 per cent. It introduced the Converti model few months ago which gives the flexibility to convert the freezer space into a refrigerator and vice-versa.

 

In washing machine, the company ranks second. This apart, it continues to hold the number one position in the cooking range and colour television segment.

BPL enjoys a market share of 23 per cent in the colour television segment.

"The practice of studying markets and consumer habits led us to many segments," Tribhuvan said.

Currently, BPL has kicked off the computerisation of its activities across the country. The company's 11 regions, already networked with factories, are now being networked with dealers.

In 1999-2000, the company declared a final dividend of 60 per cent. It posted a five per cent increase in its net profit to Rs 107.13 crore for the financial year 1999-2000 as opposed to Rs 102.47 crore in 1998-1999. The profit before tax for the year went up to Rs 118.84 crore from Rs 113.97 crore for the previous year.

Gross sales also grew four per cent to Rs 2,128.54 crore as compared to Rs 2,047.08 crore for the previous year.

This apart, in the alkaline batteries segment BPL has achieved a market share of 26 per cent, and currently enjoys number three position in the country.