Lighting up a massive Indian market: Lighting Technologies

With a population of over 1.3 billion, India is the second most populous country in the world. It is set to become the world’s most populous country in a few years, surpassing China. With such a large number of people, it should come as no surprise that the market for consumer and industrial goods would be massive. The early 1990’s saw economic liberalization in India, paving the way for large-scale foreign investment and the subsequent economic boom. Riding on this wave of capitalism, one company set out to supply one of the most rudimentary requirements of any type, lighting.

Lighting Technologies (LT) was started in Russia, with its first industrial facility in Ryazan. Over time, it was able to expand its distribution network and begin exports to other European countries. As it grew and prospered, it was able to expand its operations in India, with an aim to tap into the enormous Indian market. It would be an understatement to say that Lighting Technologies India has been successful. In a mere two years of operation, it has had an astounding turnover of over Rs.123 crore (approximately $18 million). What’s even more amazing is that it has managed this in spite of stiff competition from National and International majors.

Marketing winning strategies

LT India mainly offers LED luminaries and lighting solutions to various segments that include office supplies, outdoor lighting, sports lighting, industrial lights as well as signage. This year saw LT enter the outdoor architectural and explosion proof segments as well. Lighting Technologies India ensures unparalleled quality and it is reflective in:

• Super value products ( Products with Extraordinary features at affordable prices that meet international standards)
• LT products are created with an emphasis on long-term reliability and a strict adherence to global standards
• Unlike other lighting majors, who are predominantly focused on the ‘trading’ model of business, LT made its foray into the Indian market by setting up a state-of-the-art manufacturing unit

Lighting Technology’s take on the market

Today lighting around the world is going through a revolution. Smart, energy-efficient lightings are the norm, paving the way for a brighter future. LT has been at the forefront of this tectonic shift and its GEN2 solutions are poised for launch this year. They are aptly named as ‘LumInSense’, which provides intelligent solutions for office, outdoor and retail applications. The company’s core competence involves developing, manufacturing and selling general and special purpose light fittings.

Some of LT India’s largest clients include Google, Amazon, Infosys, Reliance, Goldman Sachs, Fidelity, Sports Authority of India, Bosch, TCS and many more. LT India mainly focuses on corporates and government offices, carving out an impressive share of the lighting market in India and hopes to become the industry leader.

Overcoming challenges with innovative business models

The structure of the company includes R&D, test laboratory and industrial design bureau. It prides itself on the world-class quality of its products at extremely affordable prices. Such expertise is the result of Lighting Technology’s deeply rooted idea of ‘defying definitions’. However, there are still several challenges that the Russian multinational corporation needs to address. The biggest one is being a supplier of commodities to meet customer demands at unbelievable rates and sustaining in the industry amidst stiff competition.

Lighting Technologies India has more than held its own in the market. It has prospered and expanded with a corporate office in Bangalore and a manufacturing unit in the suburbs. Additionally, LT India also has marketing offices in Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata, Kerala, Ahmadabad, Vadodara, Hyderabad, Pune, Guwahati, Lucknow, and Chandigarh. Its Indian manufacturing unit was awarded the Best 4 certification (Business Excellence Sustainable Task). The company is now eying the tier II cities in India. It is well known that most of India’s 1.3 billion people live in smaller towns and villages and LT is expected to grab a larger share of the Indian market in professional lighting segment.

In addition to India, LT has world class ISO 9001:2008 certified manufacturing facilities in Russia, Ukraine, and Spain.

Focusing on the future and fulfilling customer demands

Lighting Technology’s goal is to become the top lighting solutions provider in the country. Additionally, it is also gaining a steady base of customers in the smart lighting segment. With the global efforts to reduce the carbon footprint, smart lighting is a great step towards energy efficient lights. It reduces power consumption and facilitates better sustainability.

Meet the enigmatic CEO of Lighting Technologies India

Mr. Harinarayanan. K.V. brings over 20 years of experience in the lighting industry, having worked at General Electric (GE) and Philips. Currently serving as the CEO for Lighting Technologies South Asia, Mr. Harinarayanan has led LT India to become the most preferred lighting brand in a matter of 2 years, a phenomenal achievement that gives testimony to his leadership qualities.

Fondly called Hari, he stayed for the most part with GE in lead roles across departments ranging from product design and technology, vendor development, product cost management and product management to Sales in India. Hari has led the Lighting Product Management Team in the Asia Pacific Region as well. He was instrumental in transforming the perception of GE from being a ‘lamp company’ to a ‘lighting solutions provider’ in India with his razor sharp business strategies. He has been awarded the Gold Medal for scoring high consistently in all the categories of GE leadership skills assessment opinion survey across the globe.

With his business acumen, strategic brilliance and out-of-the-box product innovation initiatives Hari continues to drive Lighting Technologies from one exceptional notch to the next at a speed many can only dream of. Recognized for super value design products that have set benchmarks in India, Hari’s contributions to India’s lighting industry remains remarkable. A “people-man” to his peers and colleagues, Hari makes a born leader gifted with qualities that power meaningful change. As a

CEO, Hari follows more of an HR-focused style of leadership, his emphasis being on people, values and culture of the organization on one side clubbed with unmatched innovation on the other.

Hari graduated with a B.E. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, earned Master’s Degree (M.Tech) in Illumination Engineering from M I T Manipal. Hari also secured an MBA on Strategic Management from IIM, Kozhikode and remains a Six Sigma Green Belt Certified professional too.

“Light is our life. We will continually innovate and grow to create world’s leading lighting solutions.”