The Hindu Business Line : Wipro Consumer still open to acquisitions

Three successive acquisitions in the last three years in toilet and lighting products has not satisfied Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting, which says it is on the look out for more.

"We are still open to further acquisitions. We are actively looking at candidates that fit into our frame," the Vice-President - Marketing, Mr Kumar Chander, said.

The acquired companies are Glucovita, Chandrika and Northwest Switches.

Addressing newspersons here on Friday to announce the launch of Santoor White, he said it is now the vision of the company to attain a place amongthe top FMCG companies by 2009-10.

Growth strategy

Towards this, the company has chalked out growth strategy to attain leadership position in toilet soaps and lighting categories. It has also drawn up plans in wellness and baby care product categories.

Mr Chander said the company is confident of significantly improving its market share in the domestic toilet products market. It currently has a share of over six per cent in the national market, with near leadership position in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.

Following the launch of Santoor White, an enriched product with sandal and milk of almonds, the company expects to further improve its leadership position in these States.

"In Andhra Pradesh, we have already hit an all-time high market share of 31 per cent and highest ever market share of 39 per cent in rural AP. This State, with a toilet soaps market size of Rs 546 crore now, is one of the key markets for us," Mr Chander said.

Soap market

Similarly, the company's pricing strategy has paid well in the baby soap market as well. It has improved its market share to 40 per cent from 28 per cent.

"While we propose to tap newer markets with Santoor White, we expect the new variant to strengthen the overall brand position. Santoor is today Rs 400-crore brand in customer sales value. It has been growing at 25 per cent compounded rate, while the industry growth was merely three per cent in the last three years. We expect to improve our market share in toilet products in the four key States to over 50 per cent to attain clear leadership position in the next two years," Mr Chander said.

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