Kochi Trade, Technology, Engineering & Industry

[Malayaali]

Agree with respect to your POV. What i meant was, the presence of a major MNC will advertise the city much more than a local brand. And it is those companies that will attract outside crowd to the city, which can be considered branding the city. Thereby bringing in other domains of business.

[DileepKS]

Synthite group is making nearly 1000 Crores revenue and employs 1200 people, all in a suburb of Kochi. Does anyone talk about them? Meanwhile, we hear trumpets about IT companies that employ a few hundred people, and a few tens of crores in revenue.

[DileepKS]

Originally Posted by Malayaali

Agree with respect to your POV. What i meant was, the presence of a major MNC will advertise the city much more than a local brand. And it is those companies that will attract outside crowd to the city, which can be considered branding the city. Thereby bringing in other domains of business.

You happen to see the presence of MNCs in IT field because you are looking the places 'of ITVty, by ITVty and for ITVty'. You aren't seeing trumpeting about MNCs in other fields, doesn't mean that they do not exist.

Tyco, Framatome, GE Medical systems, Ericsson Telecom, etc are equal to the Oracles and Capgeminis in their own fields. You just don't see their names trumpeted on ITVty space, that's all.

[Malayaali]

Originally Posted by DileepKS

Synthite group is making nearly 1000 Crores revenue and employs 1200 people, all in a suburb of Kochi. Does anyone talk about them? Meanwhile, we hear trumpets about IT companies that employ a few hundred people, and a few tens of crores in revenue.

Exactly! We are not hearing about it, neither many in the country.

We have companies like V-Guard, Nest, Kitex, Synthite, Eastern etc. making revenues close to 1000 crores a year, but hardly marked as Industry development in the state. Where as a IT MNC which sets shop in the state is publicized in national and international media, which brands the city better.

[DileepKS]

Not international media. Just us at SSC. We get a daily dose of IT braggery, so our vision gets biased that's all.

[Malayaali]

Originally Posted by DileepKS

Tyco, Framatome, GE Medical systems, Ericsson Telecom, etc are equal to the Oracles and Capgeminis in their own fields. You just don't see their names trumpeted on ITVty space, that's all.

Originally Posted by DileepKS

Not international media. Just us at SSC. We get a daily dose of IT braggery, so our vision gets biased that's all.

Yea, you are right. Too much involvement of IT guys in the online world plays downs any marked importance of the other field.

I have found it surprising the Huawei and Nokia Siemens, which are top MNCs in their fields, are hardly promoted part of Kochi's industry space where as a Wipro or Arbitron is seen everywhere.

[KMC]

Originally Posted by Malayaali

OC and Co is trying hard, i believe, for the Emerging Kerala event. If they can bring in investments to the tune of Rs 1 lakh crore as they expect, that would pave way to the next stage of Industry growth in the state. Kochi will definitely act as the parent city pulling investments.

The Brand is already created ,, we dont need to cry/beg for media attentions, it just happens .... we have to leverage this brand and take city to next level...

Mixture of Tourism , Healthcare , heavy industries , IT , Retail , Fashion , Glamour .. the area where more focus reqd is Infraa.... Now thats Pathetic in Kochi ... No good roads and no efforts seen to improvise the existing...
Hope with Metro Rail we can change it some what the situation of Traffic in city...

[DileepKS]

I think we, being impatient, are being unfair to people like Chammany and Ebrahim Kunju. In the age of instant downloads, we are forgetting that those guys operate over a hugely lethargic machinery. I am seeing a lot of positive changes in infra over time recently. In fact much more than the whole of five years under Achu and Williams.

[Malayaali]

+ 1

[Malayaali]

France's Thales bets big on India's metro, rail projects

Seeing a huge business opportunity in India's public transport sector, French technology giant Thales is planning to bid for the upcoming metro projects across the country, either independently or in partnership with other firms.

The company, which set up the ticketing system for Delhi metro, is also looking to upgrade the communication and security systems of Indian Railways.

"We are open to all options. Our first preference will be to do it independently. We can do it in partnership with local players also and through joint ventures," said Eric Lenseigne, country head and managing director of Thales' India operations.

"We can also be a part of general consortium bidding for the projects," Lenseigne said in an interview with IANS.

Thales has already won contracts for providing communication based trans-control system for the third phase of the Delhi metro project and for Hyderabad metro.

It will also be providing a train protection warning system for Indian Railways.

Lenseigne said Thales will bid for signalling, ticketing and communication systems of metro and rail projects, competing with players like General Electric, Siemens, Bombardier and Alstom.

Almost Rs. 200,000 crore (two trillion rupees) investment is expected to be made in various metro projects across the country in the coming 10 years.

In February, a panel headed by Sam Pitroda, advisor to the prime minister, in a report to the government suggested investment of Rs.822,671 crore for modernisation of Indian Railways over the next five years. This includes Rs.20,000 crore for upgradation of the signalling system in existing routes and an additional Rs.20,000 crore for installing state-of-the art signalling system for bullet trains.

Lenseigne said the company would aggressively expand in the transport sector in India and was targeting to increase revenue from this segment to at least 50 percent of the total revenue.

"Our major business in India come from the defence sector. But we will be expanding rapidly in the transport segment. Our target is to get at least 50 percent of Indian revenue from the transport segment, as is the case with our global business," he said.

Thales has a significant presence in India's defence sector. Almost 90 percent of the company's $260 million business in India comes from the defence sector.

Thales, which has presence in 56 countries, earned nearly $17 billion revenue in 2011. The company has big presence globally in the defence, security, aerospace and transport segments. Aerospace and transport accounted for 40 percent of its global revenue while the rest came from the defence and security segment.

Lenseigne said the company targets to double the headcount in India in the next four-five years. Thales employs nearly 250 people in India.

He said the company will open new offices, if required. "We want to be local. We will be expanding our operation wherever we get opportunity."

Besides the national capital, it has offices in Mumbai, Kochi, Gwalior, Bangalore, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Hyderabad and Lucknow.

With over six decades of operations in India, covering both military and civilian space, Thales also has two joint venture agreements with Rolta and Samtel. Besides, it also has a technology company in Chennai to develop software for its global customers.

[vjkrishn]

Upcoming Trade fairs in Cochin

International Consumer Electronics Expo will be held on 11-13 May 2012 at Gokulam Park Inn, Cochin

International Consumer Electronics Expo is a three day international trade show that caters to the field of consumer electronics with diverse sub areas such as home automation such as music systems and home theater systems and control systems and office automation systems. International exhibitors are expected to come down at the event venue in Kochi, Kerala and take part in the proceedings.

FurniFest-2012 (India International Furniture & Furnishing Fair) going to be held from 23rd to 27th May -2012 at Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kaloor, Cochin.

This event is organised by Reccardo, Kochi in association with "Furniture Manufacturers & Merchants Association", Kerala (FuMMA) and there will be participation from many reputed organizations in the field of Furniture, Furnishing and allied sectors. This trade fair will act as a platform for manufacturers/producers, suppliers/traders, service providers, buyers and consumers from India and abroad to meet for business and showcase their products and services.

[Malayaali]

Headless, CSEZ slips into danger zone

Uncertainty looms large over the business prospects of the Cochin Special Economic Zone (CSEZ), Kakkanad, as it has been functioning for the past eight months without a new chief. According to sources, the institute is facing such a dilemma for the first time since its inception in 1984.

The absence of a Development Commissioner (DC), who is the overall authority of the CSEZ, has put many activities on hold. Though the central government had appointed commissioners on ad-hoc deputation twice, sources said that was only a temporary solution. “The ad-hoc DCs appointed twice by the Union Ministry of Commerce were based at Vishakapattanam. In the event of major issues which called for an immediate addressal, the ad-hoc DCs were not able to tackle them effectively. The co-ordination with other authorities faced difficulties,” said a highly-placed CSEZ official.

The standoff between the customs authorities and CSEZ over the inspection of transshipment containers at the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) has reportedly got worsened in the absence of a DC. The Customs and the CSEZ authorities have been at loggerheads ever since the commissioning of the ICTT. The former had sought permission to inspect the transshipment cargo, but this was unacceptable to the CSEZ authorities who maintained that the entry to ICTT was restricted because the area came under the SEZ Act. “Foreign investors have been lured to CSEZ by offering amenities such as uninterrupted power and water supply and a strike-free environment. However, state government has now imposed a load-shedding on CSEZ. To take this issue up with the state government, we do not have a chief,” sources said.

The companies under CSEZ together contribute `30,000 crore to the exchequer. There are about 160 companies under the CSEZ with 15,000 employees. Appointing a DC is the need of the hour, and the lethargy of the concerned authorities is deplorable, they added.

[Malayaali]

Citizen Watches India to expand presence in tier II cities

Citizen Watches India plans to expand its presence in the country over the next three to five years not only in metros but also in tier-II cities. It will also simultaneously increase its number of multi-brand outlets. Currently, the retailer has approximately 450 retail outlets.

Citizen Watches is present in 24 cities across India and currently has 30 exclusive outlets. The main focus of the brand remains on MBO’s, shop-in-shops, and national chain stores such as Shoppers Stop, Lifestyle, and Pantaloons. Citizen Watches India plans to expand in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Chandigarh and Hyderabad

The brand recently relaunched its store in Bangalore at Safina Plaza where it also launched its new "Prestige Chronograph" collection. Katsusuke Tokura, Managing Director, Citizen Watches, India said: “More than being a functional time keeper, watches have become fashion accessories even for men. The current size of affordable luxury segment of Indian watch market is approximately Rs 4,000 crore and is expected to double in the next five years and we also hope to double our turnover in the next five years.”

Takeshi Okada, General Manager, Citizen Watches, India, said: “Citizen Watches has become successful in creating futuristic environment-friendly concepts such as Eco-Drive that powers the watch to function anytime and anywhere as long as there is light. Our collections are a fusion of technology and beauty.”

Citizen Watches Japan is a JPY285 billion (US $ 3.5billion) 82 year old company selling watches and allied products in more than 150 countries. Citizen Watches (India) started operations in 1997.

[Malayaali]

New production plant for ResiTech Electricals

The new plant at Aluva Industrial Area will be inaugurated tomorrow.


cc: Mathrubhumi

[Malayaali]

Tier-II & III cities new gold mines for I-T dept

To boost sales, India Inc is shifting focus from saturated metropolitan markets to new and emerging cities. And the taxman, who does not want to lose out on any direct tax collections, is following suit, reports Ashmit Kumar of CNBC-TV18.

Where there's growth, the taxman is sure to follow. Tier-II and tier-III cities. These cities have fuelled growth for Indian Inc in past year. And also become star performers for the income tax (I-T) department.

Tax collections from nine tier-II cities from Ahmedabad to Pune to Kochi to Chandigarh to Jaipur have shown growth between 20-30% in FY12. Even Lucknow and Patna have not failed to impress; Guwahati has surprised all with a 25% surge in direct tax mop up.

That's a sharp contrast to the bigger cities. Kolkata, with 8% growth in tax collections, has been the leader followed by 5% in Delhi and 3% in Mumbai. Bringing the all-India tax growth rate down to 10%.
What's behind this surge in tier-II cities? Simple. These smaller cities offer potential for widening the tax base, and taxing of unchecked revenue streams.

The taxman now wants to better the high tax collection rate from these secondary cities and plan to deploy innovative tax collection strategies aimed at increasing the overall tax contribution from these cities higher than the current 30%.

[Malayaali]

Acumen Capital to open 40 more branches

Kochi based broking house, Acumen Capital Market (India) Limited, will be opening 40 new branches across the country during the current financial year, according to vice-chairman and managing director Akshay Agrawal.

“A major chunk of the proposed branches will come up in the four southern states as the region is rather un-tapped as far as the capital and commodities markets are concerned. Branches will also be opened in states like Gujarat and Bihar,” he told Business Standard.

The company currently has around 500 outlets across the country. The new branches will be a mix of company-owned and franchisee outlets. Acumen, the erstwhile Peninsular Capital, was founded in 1996 and was renamed in 2008. The company had taken a major expansion plan in 2008 and the next big plan is being charted during this year. Agrawal said that the company had performed reasonably well in 2011-12, though the market was passing through a dull phase.

“The worst phase is over as far as the capital markets are concerned. I am optimistic about the next five years, and hence the company has initiated the expansion of its branch network,” he added.

The retail investor participation in the market has been static or coming down for the last four to five years. But, this is picking up slowly this year. The commodities markets performed well in 2011-12 as there was a 50 per cent rise in volumes and participation. Both Nifty and the Sensex are now at par with the levels in 2007, Agrawal said.

The profitability of corporate India has been doubled during this period, which points out to the strength of the Indian economy. By 2017, the profitability of Indian companies is likely to be quadrupled. So, the capital markets will also be more vibrant in the coming years, he added.

“Except for negative factors like swelling up of crude oil prices, increase in government borrowings and galloping fiscal deficit, all other economic parameters are on the positive side,” he said.

Acumen is also planning to conduct more investor awareness programmes during this year in order to enhance the retail investor participation. Last year, the company had conducted more than 250 such camps across the country, Agrawal said, adding that a major technological upgradation was also on the anvil.

[Malayaali]

BANDHEJ opens boutique in Panampilly Nagar

Panampilly Nagar taking on MG Road as the retail hub

6th Bandhej store in the country.


cc: Mathrubhumi

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by Malayaali

BANDHEJ opens boutique in Panampilly Nagar

Panampilly Nagar taking on MG Road as the retail hub

6th Bandhej store in the country.

Very True.... It has became the botique corridor of Kochi with numerous of exculsive designer and botique stores.... Unlike MG Road, which caters all of various budgets/stratas, Panampally Nagar is primarily meant for elite and serious fashion buyers........

I have to been Bandhej some time back in Ahmedabad.... Its really pretty awesome botique and the stuff is purely ethnic Indian or more specific its pure Gujarati Kutchi culture, which you rarely see in regular stores like Kalyans or Jayalakshmi.... Its too niche..... Since Kochi has a considerable size of Gujarati Community living, surely it shall be a major hit along with other fashion seekers........ Another testimony for Kochi being cited as Fashion Capital of Kerala.....

[KMC]

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

Very True.... It has became the botique corridor of Kochi with numerous of exculsive designer and botique stores.... Unlike MG Road, which caters all of various budgets/stratas, Panampally Nagar is primarily meant for elite and serious fashion buyers........

I have to been Bandhej some time back in Ahmedabad.... Its really pretty awesome botique and the stuff is purely ethnic Indian or more specific its pure Gujarati Kutchi culture, which you rarely see in regular stores like Kalyans or Jayalakshmi.... Its too niche..... Since Kochi has a considerable size of Gujarati Community living, surely it shall be a major hit along with other fashion seekers........ Another testimony for Kochi being cited as Fashion Capital of Kerala.....

I guess Ritu Kumar boutique is also at Panapilly nagar.....

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by KMC

I guess Ritu Kumar boutique is also at Panapilly nagar.....

Its not excatly in Panampilly Nagar.... It is in SA Road, opposite Manorama looking towards PN side..... The branding of PN is very crucial for most of the botique stores to give a premium outlook. So saying Ritu Kumar Store at PN, adds more value than Ritu Kumar at SA Road.... Ofcourse, this is for those who doesn't know who is Ritu Kumar, one of India's most celebrated ethnic fashion designer......