The Hindu Business Line : Total targets 25 pc growth in lubricants

TOTALFINAELF India Ltd (TIL), part of Total S.A. of France, has targeted to achieve a growth rate of 25 per cent per annum so as to increase its share in the Indian lubricants market from the existing 1.4 per cent to 3 per cent by 2006. The company, which manufactures a wide range of automobile lubricants, has registered a turnover of Rs 240 crore last year.

TIL's Assistant Vice-President (South), Mr R. Ramesh, said the company's focus in 2004 was primarily aimed at increasing the width and depth of distribution as well as improving the visibility of the brand. "We have adopted an approach of focus and penetration" as a brand strategy for Total, he said.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Mr Ramesh said that TIL would be focusing on the commercial vehicle and tractor segment in the bazaar trade. The company had targeted a higher growth rate of 30 per cent in Andhra Pradesh.

According to Mr Ramesh, Total, which started its operations in India in 1995, has completed a brand re-structuring exercise last year. Initiatives such as introduction of new products and packs and consumer promotion schemes have improved the visibility of the brand.

Consequently, the company has registered a 25 per cent growth in the volume of sales during the first quarter of the current year.

Total S.A. of France is stated to be the fourth largest oil and gas group in the world with operations in more than 120 countries.