- This new unit will manufacture Philips Airfryers & Garment Steamers whereas its first unit in Chennai manufactures mixer grinders
- This state-of-the-art factory set to create more than 1,000 new jobs over a period of three years
- Innovation, local employment, and global standards at the core of this facility
GOWRI MANICKAVASAGAM
AHMEDABAD, JAN 3
In alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Make In India’ initiative to enhance local production, Versuni India, formerly known as Philips Domestic Appliances, has on Wednesday inaugurated a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Bavla, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. This groundbreaking development marks the first instance of Philips Airfryers being manufactured on Indian soil, a testament to the company’s commitment to fostering domestic production and reducing dependence on imports.
The unit in Ahmedabad is the company’s second manufacturing unit in India after Chennai where it manufactures mixer grinders.
The new facility, ideally located at Gallops Industrial Park, spans a sprawling 23,000 square meters and is equipped with a fully integrated automatic robotic coating line. It has been designed to initially produce 5,00,000 air fryers annually. However, the company has a forward-looking strategy in place to double this figure in the second phase of production. This expansion would coincide with the introduction of 2,00,000 garment steamers into the production line. The facility also adheres to the highest global standards, including CE certification, ensuring that our manufacturing processes meet the stringent quality benchmarks demanded by the international market.
Commenting on the announcement, Henk de Jong, CEO, Versuni, said, “The inauguration of our Ahmedabad factory exemplifies Versuni’s dedication to India as a strategic growth market, as we continue to deliver exceptional products and services that drive forward our purpose of turning houses into homes. Today, around 70% of the products that we market to consumers in India are produced in this country. We aim to increase this to 90% in the coming years thanks to the strategic decision to open up a new factory in Ahmedabad. Versuni currently commands a substantial 20% market share in the small appliances sector.”
To a query on the company’s exact investment figures for this new project, Gulbahar Taurani, the MD and CEO of Versuni in India, said, “We have been making substantial continuous investment in India’s manufacturing prowess and its dedication to the ‘Make in India’ initiative. 75% of the air fryer components are sourced either locally or manufactured in this facility. Versuni has strategic plans in place to localize the remaining 25% of components over a period of time, further bolstering the country’s manufacturing sector. The household penetration for air fryers in India is just 0.3 percent, We are committed in driving growth in this market segment, leveraging the new facility’s production capabilities.”
With an anticipated creation of over 1000 jobs across various sectors within the next three years, the new facility stands as a beacon of economic growth. Its consumer-centric approach, focused on understanding consumer behavior and identifying unmet needs, continues to drive innovation and product evolution across its global portfolio.
