While quite a few are finding it lucrative to enter the LED lighting business for quick short-term gains, Kalapataru (appleLite) believes on a quality ride for long-term journey.
The brightness of LED has upped the ante where the country’s lighting industry is bursting at its seams. Adding to it is the ever increasing demand for LED lights from all the segments, be it architectural, commercial or industrial. No wonder why so many players are jumping on to the bandwagon and betting their luck so as to manage good business out of relatively tiny investments. As of now, only assembling is happening as none of the producers risk setting up a plant for the small twinkling wonders. But those with determined objective of making it a success are comfortably skimming the market. One such player is Kalpataru Industries.
Established in 2001, Kalpataru Industries is a professional MSME company handling research, manufacturing and sales of all kinds of lighting products. The gamut of offerings that the company manufactures are marketed under the brand appleLite catering to varied needs of various application areas including commercial, office, outdoor, residential and industrial. The company is in fact a solution player with gears, switches sockets etc. included in its portfolio. “We have the capacity to execute big projects irrespective of scale, a few of which are there in the pipeline,” says Nikunj Bagadia, National Sales Head at Kalpataru Industries.
Going by his words, the company’s state-of-the-art infrastructure encompasses manufacturing, quality control, warehousing packaging units and sales & marketing departments. “We are backed by a competent and industrious team that works hard for satisfying the varied demands of our clients. In order to enhance the quality of our lighting fixtures and control gears, we leave no stone unturned. Going deep in to the efficient design intricacies, our research and development wing undertakes several research studies before developing any new lighting fixtures,” asserts Bagadia.
According to him, all the products are well-received in the market. “We are not into bulbs but more in to architectural lighting solutions, which have the scope of creativity and customisation. When it comes to offerings, we have a wide range of luminaires. Besides, we do provide customised lighting solutions on the basis of design & specifications provided by our valuable customers. All our fittings are best in terms of illuminance, uniformity, glare control, reliability and outstanding surface quality,” Bagadia avers adding that a variety of colour options of high-quality LED strips have got many buyers, along with their linear floor lighting which has been apprehended well by the users.
But in a crowded market, creating and sustaining a brand needs a different strategy. ‘Think Different’ is the core brand idea at Kalpataru. “This mantra, in association with a professionally dedicated spirit, helps us create beautiful, comfortable, safe, energy-saving light environment for our customers to provide optimal lighting solutions & promote the lighting industry to develop healthily & rapidly. All our products are designed and developed in line with international standards & pass through stringent quality control norms,” he says adding that the company has applied for various national and international certifications and approvals including ISI, CE, ISO, ROHs, UL, FIA, TAC, PWD and NTH.
Speaking on why Kalpataru/appleLite, Bagadia states that today, they are one of the leading manufacturers, suppliers and wholesalers of unmatched quality lighting products. “Within a span of 16 years, we have garnered a huge market across the country, thanks to the active guidance of our qualified team that is incessantly driving the quest of our success and achievements by virtue of their knowledge in manufacturing and creating quality products,” asserts Bagadia who also praises the hard work of the associates attached with the company for so long.
According to him, the company has a well-knitted distribution network comprising of over 100 distributors and as many dealers spread across the country. “We are in the process of market expansion and looking forward to penetrate deep in the unrepresented regions of the country,” he informs adding that as of now, south and west are the most sought after markets. As far as distributors and dealers’ dedication is concerned, he says that they do have some attractive packages for them in terms of incentive-based programs and discounts depending on their respective business potentials, which varies with regions. This is beside POP support that they offer them from time-to-time.
Sharing his views on the ongoing restructuring of the policies at the Centre, Bagadia expresses his comfort on the moves taken by the government in the recent past. “We are comfortable with mandatory BIS certifications and other such stringent rules. This will not only put a cap on the substandard products, but also restrict imports at least for finished products. Only quality products and that too preferably with ‘Make in India’ tag would survive hereinafter thereby adding strength to the country’s manufacturing infrastructure. This would also lead India to becoming the future manufacturing hub,” he opines.
