The Hindu Business Line : Trane plans to import air-conditioners from Thailand

Taking advantage of the Indo-Thai free trade agreement (FTA), Trane, the air-conditioning systems and services business of the $9.5-billion American Standard Companies, is set to launch its products in the unitary systems market in India.

The company would be importing its range of air-conditioners into the country from Thailand, where it has a manufacturing unit.

"The duty currently payable is 6.25 per cent, which would become zero in September 2006. It makes sense for us to import the products from Thailand," said Mr Manoj Mathur, business leader for Trane in India.

Trane's unitary systems will be sold in India through a network of independent distributors and dealers.

They include a range of air conditioning products and solutions from 0.6 tonne to 50 tonnes and are aimed at homes and small-to-mid-sized buildings such as premium offices, schools, small hotels, and shopping malls.

"The demand in this segment is quite high due to a number of factors, including the boom in real estate as well as rising income levels. For example, there are already about 300 malls coming up in the country and FDI being permitted in real estate is sparking off a further boom in the real estate sector. In addition, the next Commonwealth games are to be held in Delhi, thereby resulting in more construction activity in the hotel sector."

Trane has been tying up with builders and architects to supply its products.

The company claims that the strong point of its products is the high energy efficiency ratio.

With utility expense accounting for about one-third of a retailer's total expenses, it is of the opinion that demand for its products would exist despite the number of local competitors.

The premium air-conditioner market in India has been growing at about 10-15 per cent a year.

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