Mr J.P. Dua , Chairman and Managing Director, Allahabad Bank, addresing a press meet after the inauguration of the Nellore and Anantapur branches of the bank in Hyderabad on Saturday. / Photo: P.V. Sivakumar / The Hindu Business Line

Allahabad Bank is planning to increase its focus on southern states, according to its Chairman and Managing Director, Mr J.P. Dua.

Speaking to newspersons after inaugurating Nellore and Anantapur branches from here on Saturday, Mr Dua said in the next couple of years, the number of branches in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala would be increased.

The southern presence of the Kolkata-based bank is low as it has only 148 branches in the South out of a total of 2,536 branches. In Andhra Pradesh alone, 20 new branches would be opened in the next one year, he said.

The southern states have recorded Rs 18,778-crore business during 2011-12.

nagsridhu@thehindu.co.in

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> Industry & Economy> Banking / by G. Naga Sridhar / Hyderabad, June 3oth, 2012

Spring Air, USA’s leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of premium mattresses and pillows worldwide, in association with Protect-A-Bed, U.S.A., celebrated the Joint South India launch of the latest bedding products by Spring Air and latest technology in luxury mattress protection and comfort by Protect-A-Bed at Taj Deccan, Banjara Hills, on May 25.

Gracing the occasion were Ashok Sharma, Director and CEO Middle East and India, Spring Air, James Bell, CEO of Protect-A-Bed, and other dignitaries.

Partnering with Protect-A-Bed, global leader in mattress protection, Spring Air India, for the first time has ushered in a breakthrough technology that revolutionizes the sleeping experience ensuring ultimate luxury and therapeutic sleep experience.

Carrying forward the legacy of parity in quality, comfort and values, the new collection will offer the luxurious sleep experience of Spring Air with the protection properties of Protect a Bed.

The unique technology featured in Protect-A-Bed’s mattress and pillow protection products will create a healthy sleep zone offering a dry, bed bug free, and anti-allergy sleep environment thereby meeting the need of the entire family. Having been rated as the most preferred bed in America, Spring Air together with Protect-A-Bed now aim to help people in India sleep better.

Speaking on the occasion, Ashok Sharma, C.E.O. of Spring Air India and Middle East said, “Spring Air is one of the worldwide leaders in the spring mattress, premium mattress and pillow category and at the same time we are one of the largest brands of mattress in the world.

“Having developed and successfully launched the Europedic mattress Collection – a breakthrough in sleep technology, widely acclaimed for its pressure relieving comfort and comfort ability features we are now delighted to launch the latest Protect-A-Bed products.”

“Designed exclusively for Spring Air mattresses the newly launched products are effective in protecting mattress and pillows from bugs, water spills and household allergens and other things that can harm bed mattresses. Regular mattress pads can barely inhibit the body-conforming benefits of our mattresses, but this specially designed Protect-A-Bed protector stretches to work with the mattress,” he added.

The newly unveiled collection of mattress protection offers protectors for mattresses, pillow, quilts and box springs in beautiful fabrics laced with latest technology. The original Protect-A-Bed premium fitted sheet style mattress protector is constructed using a cotton terry toweling sleeping surface, laminated to a Miracle Membrane.

The range of Protect-A-Bed mattress and pillow protectors are available in many styles and a luxurious appearance that lends a high fashion appeal, extra comfort and firmness to Spring Air mattress.

“Our experience within the luxury industry in the U.S. and India has revealed an immense appetite for high quality, high-end and ultra-luxury Protect-A-Bed products among residents, which represents a substantially large niche market for our products.

source: http://www.fibre2fashion.com / Home> News / June 29th, 2012 (India)

The Karimnagar District Mutually Aided Milk Producers Union, popularly known as Karimnagar Dairy, which was converted into the Producers Company according to the Companies Act of 1956 from June 1 onwards, has changed its logo to “Nandi” symbolising the “kode mokku” (ox) of Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Devasthanam in Vemulawada temple town.

Earlier, when the Dairy was in mutually aided cooperative society (MACS) it used the logo of “Vijaya” of the Andhra Pradesh Dairy Development Cooperative Federation of Hyderabad. After converting it into producers company, the Karimnagar Dairy had decided to use its own brand logo of “Nandi” (ox) on all its products including milk, ghee, flavoured milk, doodh peda, paneer, buttermilk, curd etc.

The Managing Director of Karimnagar Dairy, V Hanumanth Reddy told ‘The Hindu’ on Wednesday that they would be using the “Nandi” symbol on their products. He said that they had also secured the trade mark permission for using the Nandi symbol. He said that they decided to use the logo of Nandi as it resembles the importance and traditions of historic Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Devasthanam in Vemulawada. Giving details about the dairy performance, he said that the Karimnagar Dairy made strides in milk procurement and sales over a decade. In 1999, the dairy milk sales were only 4,978 litres per day and procurement was 17,570 litres per day. Now in June 2012, the sales have crossed 1.07 lakh litres per day and procurement 82,495 litres per day. The dairy turnover had reached Rs. 130 crore in 2012 against Rs 3.5 crore in 1999.

He said that the Karimnagar Dairy topped in milk procurement and sales in the Telangana region and was providing highest procurement price to the milk producers. Besides, the Dairy had also initiated several welfare measures for the milk producers including distribution of scholarships to their children, Janashree Bheema Yajana, Kalyanamasthu, conduct of veterinary camps and artificial insemination.

Nagarjuna Oil Corporation (NOCL), a part of the Hyderabad-based Nagarjuna group, has raised about $100 million (Rs 553 crore) from Singapore-based crude oil trading major Trafigura to fund its six-million tonne oil refinery project coming up in the Petroleum Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region on the Cuddalore-Nagapattinam stretch in Tamil Nadu.

Disclosing this here on Tuesday, KS Raju, chairman of the Nagarjuna group, said that the company will be raising further funds by diluting its equity in the project. According to him, the group currently holds 40 per cent equity in the project, while it had infused about Rs 800 crore towards the equity.

In April, the Singapore company had reportedly announced plans to pick up a 24 per cent stake in the refinery project for a consideration of $130 million. The proceeds will be used to complete the construction of the project, which is expected to be ready in the later part of next year, according to Raju. The project involves a total investment of about Rs 10,000 crore.

Tata Sons and a German company are among the other equity partners in the project.

Nagarjuna is a diversified conglomerate having interests in power, infrastructure, fertilisers and other sectors. The group is currently undertaking a Rs 5,000-crore expansion of its fertiliser plant at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh.

Agrichem targets Rs 1,000-crore revenues
Nagarjuna Agrichem Limited (NACL), a part of the Nagarjuna group, is targeting to achieve the Rs 1000-crore turnover mark, from Rs 600 crore last year, in the next couple of years.

The proposed revenue growth would be achieved by enhancing the exports by way of contract manufacturing as well as through expanding its domestic footprint by 20-25 per cent, said Raju after inaugurating the company’s new research and development (R&D) centre in Hyderabad. The company had invested about Rs 75 crore in the new research facility and its zero-liquid discharge manufacturing facility at Srikakulam, he said.

The company, which currently produces and markets about 45 generic crop protection products across the country, is currently in discussions with 8-10 international players to bring their proprietary products into the Indian market, according to him.

NACL managing director V Vijay Shankar said that they will be introducing two proprietary products owned by multinational companies shortly, mainly in the herbicide category.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Home> Companies & Industry / by BS Reporter / Chennai/Hyderabad / June 13th, 2012

Hyderabad, India

Canon India Pvt. Limited, India’s No 1. Complete Digital Imaging Company has launched its 65th Canon Image Store (CIS) along with a new office in Hyderabad. The motive behind the inauguration of the retail store and the office is to strengthen Canon’s foothold in the South Indian region, by boosting sales and increased brand visibility.

During the inauguration, Mr. Kevin Kobayashi, CEO, Canon India, said, “Markets such as Hyderabad are critical to Canon’s growth in India. The exclusive CIS Hyderabad store enforces Canon’s increased focus on penetration across south India including tier II & tier III cities. Our customers here have reposed great faith in us and their overwhelming response to our products, have helped us grow our market share across categories. This is an endeavor to express our gratitude to them and ensure state of the art imaging products and services, on a continuous basis.”

Dr. Alok Bharadwaj, Senior Vice President, Canon India, added “The Andhra Pradesh sales for Canon have been increasing at a rate of 50%. This new marketing strategy of opening an exclusive retail store along with a full-fledged Canon branch office in Hyderabad will enable better sales and increased brand awareness in the rest of the state in Andhra Pradesh. The CIS will provide a unique purchase experience to customers as a trained technical team will explain the technology and usage of Canon products. While the product features will be demonstrated, the consumers will experience the touch and feel of the latest digital imaging products. Also, the new office inaugurated is a sign of increasing sales and a promise to delight customers of the region, better than ever,”

The franchise based store is strategically located in one of the evolving business centers in Hyderabad. Somajiguda is home to international banking institutions, well known IT companies and well known automobile sales. The store is intended to be a one-stop destination for people with imaging needs. The wide displays of products with touch and feel experience allows the customer to make a better and informed decision at the point-of-sale.

The CIS brand stores enforces Canon’s increased focus on penetration across the country including major metros and tier II & tier III markets. The area covered by each outlet varies from a minimum of 600 sq. ft to a maximum of 900 sq. ft with franchisee investment of Rs. 25 to Rs. 30 lacs located in malls or any high footfall area. Expected breakeven of these stores is in about 6 months with ROI of 18-19%.
The Canon new office premise in Hyderabad is 5400 square feet and located at Raj Bhavan Road, Somajiguda. The office is designed around the core principles of Kyosei, which symbolizes ‘All people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future’. The Hyderabad centre seats around 37 employees. Some of the highlights of this office include a magnificent reception with almost 100% additional seating capacity. The premise also features a 20-seater conference room.

Understanding the evolving consumer needs, Canon plans to tap the growth of retail market estimated at Rs 300 crore annually and the digital imaging market that is currently growing at 50%. The stores opened till date experienced an average foot fall per store per month of 2000. The increase in footfall in weekends over weekdays is over 100%.

From the store (CIS) exclusively, the company has plans to open 300 stores by 2015 and expecting revenues of Rs.175 crore in 2012 and Rs.1000 crore by 2015.

About Canon Inc.

Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leader in the fields of professional and consumer imaging equipment and information systems. Canon’s extensive range of products includes copying machines, inkjet and laser printers, cameras, video equipment, medical equipment and semiconductor-manufacturing equipment. Originally established in 1937 as Precision Optical Industry, Co., Ltd., a camera manufacturer, Canon has successfully diversified and globalized to become a worldwide industry leader in professional and consumer imaging systems and solutions.

With over 195,000 employees worldwide, Canon has manufacturing and marketing subsidiaries in Japan, the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania; and a global R&D network with companies based in the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia. Canon’s consolidated net sales for fiscal 2011 (ended December 31, 2011) totaled $46 billion. Visit the Canon Inc. website at: www.canon.com.

Canon in India

Canon India closed the year of 2011 with revenues of Rs.1525 crore which is 21 % growth over 2010. Canon focuses on multiple market segments of consumer, B2B, Government & Commercial. Canon’s product portfolio extends over a vast variety of copier MFDs, fax-machines, printers, scanners, All-in-ones, digital cameras, camcorders and multimedia projectors, cable ID printers, semiconductors and card printers.

Canon India Pvt. Ltd. is a 100% subsidiary of Canon Singapore Pvt. Ltd., a world leader in imaging technologies. Set up in 1997, Canon India markets over 140 comprehensive range of sophisticated contemporary digital imaging. The company today has offices in 7 cities, warehouses in 13 cities across India and employs over 930 people. Canon has approximately 380 primary channel partners 13 National Retail Chain partners, and over 4000 secondary retail points. Oce distributors in India will now be a part of Canon partner network. Canon’s service reach extends to over 200 towns with over 200 service Engineers, 4 Master service centers and 34 Canon Care Centers. Canon and Océ products are available with complete service support network.

source: //www.businesswireindia.com / source: Canon / Wednesday, June 13th, 2012