Tokyo-based Toto Limited, one of the largest global manufacturers of sanitary ware and bath fittings, plans to open 12 exclusive outlets in India by March 2008. The company, already operating a showroom each in Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, opened its third outlet in Kochi today.
Addressing the media, Hidekazu Hata, general manager of India operations, said the company had outlined a marketing strategy exclusively for India and as part of this plan, exclusive outlets will be opened in metros and tier II cities, with New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata to be accorded immediate priority. Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode will also eventually feature on the expansion radar.
“We have entered Kerala skipping the metros and other major cities in the country because the demand for high-end sanitary wares is growing tremendously here,” Hata stated.
While the company is planning to set up a manufacturing facility in India, for the time being, though, products will be imported from Japan, China, Indonesia and the United States. In India, the company is eyeing high-end consumers like star hotels, IT Parks, airports and luxury houses. It has supplied sanitary wares and allied products to the Hyderabad international airport as well as to the upcoming Mumbai international airport.
At present, the firm has annual global sales turnover of Rs 40 crore.
– Bengaluru Bureau
