The Hindu Business Line : Western Digital to set up service centre network

WESTERN Digital Corp, the world's third-largest hard drive manufacturer, has announced that it is establishing a network of service centres in India to expedite service to customers.

As part of a worldwide strategic initiative to grow business by providing the highest levels of customer support, Western Digital will now provide its product replacement service locally through authorised service centres in Bangalore, New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.

Operated by Teleplan Asia Pacific in partnership with RT Outsourcing Services Ltd, a provider of after-sales and warranty fulfilment services in India, the new India customer service centres will eliminate freight charges and ultimately, reduce costs to customers. The new customer service centres will accept customers' in-warranty Western Digital products purchased in India from authorised Western Digital distributors. They will be equipped with hard drive testing equipment to expedite service of returned products.

According to MAIT (Manufacturers Association of Information Technology) - IMRB (Indian Market Research Bureau), as the Indian IT market perks up, personal computer sales are expected to reach three million units in 2003-04, representing an annual growth rate of 30 per cent. With this expected high growth, the Indian PC market is a strategic focus for Western Digital.