TCL to sign up its second distributor

Mumbai-based TCL India Holdings, manufacturer of IT and
consumer electronics (CE) products, is augmenting its channel network with the
addition of a distributor in Chennai.

The company currently has one distributor in Mumbai,
Vardhaman Computers, and another in Pune, DSK Infotech. TCL initiated its IT
business in the west and is now trying to make inroads into the southern market.
Once it appoints the distributor in Chennai, it will train its sights on the
northern market with a distributor there as well. Said Akhtar Khan, Senior
Manager —National (Channel Management) — IT, TCL India Holdings, “We took
a strategic decision to first have the service deliverables in place, before we
start selling. And even then, we would rather go region-wise than nationally.”

Each of TCL's existing distributors have two more
sub-distributors, each and Vardhaman Computers is planning to add two more to
this number. These sub-distributors then sell to a network of dealers. The range
of TCL's IT products currently available are 15 inches, 17 inches and 19
inches TFT monitors, digicams and laptops. Though the company has several other
products in its portfolio, including desktops, LCD monitors, Flash-disk-based
products, MP3 and MP4 players; it does not plan to introduce these in the Indian
market yet.

“We first want to establish ourselves with the
fast-growth products like TFT, digicams and laptops. Once our brand is well
established we will consider expanding our range for the Indian buyers,”
Akhtar said. TCL started its IT busi-ness in India roughly a year ago. The
vendor has a manufacturing facility in Vizag for its CTVs.

DQC News Bureau Mumbai, April 21