Brands
White-Westinghouse forays into Indian market
NEW DELHI: America’s largest consumer appliance brand White-Westinghouse announces its entry to the Indian market with the launch of its washing machines in India. Collaborating with the Indian manufacturing firm Superplastronics Pvt Ltd (SPPL) that is investing Rs 300 crore, the brand will launch its range of 7 kg, 8kg and 9kg, category, with price starting Rs 7499 on Amazon.in.
The India brand licensee SPPL will further step up its operations with this launch as the firm is all geared up to set up a new manufacturing unit spreading over 300,000 square feet in Noida.
Known for producing innovative appliances for over 100 years, White-Westinghouse is one of the most trusted brands globally and currently used under license by trademark owner Westinghouse Electric Corporation. The brand sells appliances in more than 45 countries world over and is a name to reckon with. White-Westinghouse enjoys exceptionally high equity for its well-engineered and reliable products.
Timing its entry well; India’s appliance and consumer electronics (ACE) market is pegged to reach Rs 1.48 lakh crore ($ 21.18 billion) by 2025 according to IBEF’s ( India Brand Equity Foundation) recently released report: June 2020, https://www.ibef.org/industry/consumer-durables-presentation
White -Westinghouse is looking to tap the upsurge that has been caused in the country due to changing lifestyle and consumption habits. India’s white goods sector is under-penetrated and is on verge of a cyclical shift. Especially the rural market which is witnessing a reverse migration and therefore shift in the economy too. Analysts believe sales of consumer durables in small-towns and villages, as compared to urban markets, will see a larger potential in months to come.
Elated about the brand’s entry to the Indian market as the country reels from COVID2019 pandemic and picks back up on its pent-up demand, SPPL senior vice-president Pallavi Singh adds, “These are unprecedented times, however, we are excited to bring a brand of global repute and equity to the Indian market. Positioned as a product for the masses, WWH aims at capturing over five per cent of the market share in the Washing machine category in just two years. We are hopeful about the Washing Machine segment and looking forward to adding an array of products to the brand.”
White Westinghouse entering the Indian market by launching its Washing Machines on Amazon.in on 6 August 2020.
Amazon India category leader – large appliances Siddharth Bhagat says, “We are excited to partner with SPPL and launch America’s largest consumer appliance brand White-Westinghouse on Amazon.in. With this partnership, we continue to build a strong portfolio in the large appliances category providing customers with a vast selection, great value, fast & reliable delivery with easy exchange and installation. We are confident that quality appliances from White-Westinghouse will resonate well with customers on Amazon.in.”
Brands
Rajiv Bajaj quits Bajaj Finance board ahead of July AGM
The managing director of Bajaj Auto will step down as a non-executive director of the private lender, ending a long association with the company
Rajiv Bajaj is clearing his desk at Bajaj Finance. The managing director of Bajaj Auto has told the private lender that he will not seek re-election at its annual general meeting scheduled for July 30, 2026, bringing to a close a board tenure that spanned one of the most eventful chapters in Indian consumer finance.
According to a regulatory filing, Bajaj will cease to be a non-executive director of the company upon completion of the AGM. The board of directors, taking note of his departure at its meeting on Wednesday, placed on record its appreciation for his long association and contribution to the company.
The exit is notable. Bajaj is not merely a board name at Bajaj Finance. He has been part of the broader Bajaj group for over three decades, cutting his teeth across manufacturing, supply chain, research and development, engineering and marketing before rising to lead Bajaj Auto. He also holds directorships across several Bajaj group companies, including Bajaj Holdings and Investment Ltd, Bajaj Auto Credit Ltd, Bajaj Auto Technology Ltd, Bajaj Sevashram Pvt Ltd, Kamalnayan Investment and Trading Pvt Ltd and Rupa Equities Pvt Ltd, among others.
Bajaj holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pune and a master’s degree in manufacturing systems engineering from the University of Warwick, and has been credited with steering Bajaj Auto’s global operations through years of aggressive expansion.
His departure from the Bajaj Finance board narrows his formal footprint in the financial services arm of the group, even as he remains the public face of its automotive engine. Whether it signals a broader consolidation of roles within the conglomerate or simply a tidying of board responsibilities, the group has not said.
Bajaj Finance, one of India’s most closely watched non-banking financial companies, will now need to fill the chair he leaves behind. That, at least, should not take long.
