ChemoPlast forays into LCD monitors

ChemoPlast, manufacturer of nylon yarn for Apollo Tyres, a tyre manufacturer

has diversified into IT business with LCD monitors. This is an interesting

development considering the IT sector has been going through a downturn and IT

partners are themselves diversifying into non-IT activities.

However, KPS Narayanan, Director, ChemoPlast believes that the LCD market is

about to explode and wants to ride the LCD wave. "In the next two - three

years, LCD will be the hottest thing in the IT market," he says. Driven by

the call center industry, the LCD market has performed unexpectedly well during

the year, notching up sales of 30,000 units against a projected sale of 7,000

units. Therefore during the next year vendors expect sales to exceed one lakh

units.

Over the last six months, ChemoPlast has been importing LCD monitors branded

as Ghimei from Taiwan-based manufacturer and distributing it through Coimbatore-based

Nebula Technologies. Narayanan expects sales during 2003 to touch 10,000 units.

The company would be targeting the retail market and system integrators for

selling the two brands that are on offer: Polyview 1511 priced at Rs 23,000 and

CNB 1512 priced at Rs 24,000 and above.

While the major focus markets would be the metros, the second tier towns

would also be targeted. "You will be surprised at the strength of the

purchasing power in the second tier towns," Narayanan says. It is a fact

that people experiment more with gadgets in smaller towns and cities where

people want to have the latest fad just to show off.

Vendors are often heard to be selling high-end technical items to stray

customers from the north-east. Sometimes the only piece of a high-end item,

which in fact comes as a demonstration piece, is sold to a customer from

Guwahati, an executive from Rashi Peripherals was heard saying.

BALAKA B AGGARWAL



(CNS)