HPL Electric & Power Pvt Ltd, with its unwavering commitment to the creation of world-class quality products, has created a niche for itself in the electrical industry. Promoted nearly four decades ago by Mr Lalit Seth, Managing Director, and a visionary entrepreneur fired by the idea of import substitution, the HPL Group today is regarded as "The Technology Brand of India" and is one of the premium manufacturers of reliable electrical protection equipments, switchgears, electronic energy meters and energy management systems. The second generation of the promoter family, Mr Rishi Seth, an MBA, and Mr Gautam Seth, a qualified Chartered Accountant, both Joint Managing Directors are among the key decision makers in the management of the company. Excerpts from an interactive session with Industrial Products Finder:

Once an important component of the unorganised sector, the electrical equipment market now is crowded by a number of organised players engaged in a healthy competition. How is the market share split at present? The customer has graduated, and is now demanding quality and technology. He is also much aware of what is available in the market and is very conscious of the environment and individual safety. The organised sector alone can provide products to the customer's satisfaction.

The organised sector is very mature and undertakes the quality and design evolution to produce technically safe and environment-friendly products. Hence, the share of organised sector is on the rise. According to me, it is now around 70% or more of the industry. Now competition is intense compared with what it was before 15 years. The market has seen exponential growth, both from domestic majors and MNCs. Do you see any consolidation? Competition is always healthy and ensures development of new products and technology. That has happened in the last 15 years and we believe it will continue. Consolidation is a natural phenomenon of a growing and developing market and it is going to play a major role in India at least for a few years, as newer technologies are being introduced and smaller players do not have the resources to develop them.

Besides Moeller and Socomec, are there any more such collaborations on the anvil?

Cooperation with international companies is an ongoing process and we are always open to it as we are committed to bring in the latest technology in India and to our customers.

What is the USP of HPL products in a rather crowded market?

The USPs of HPL products are technology, R&D and quality. HPL evaluates all these factors while adopting new production techniques. This enhances the acceptability of products. Due to innovative technology adapted by HPL engineers, the products comprise both technology and durability. Ultra-modern manufacturing facilities ensure accuracy and reliability of the products.

What kind of expansion is the HPL Group planning?

HPL has recently invested more than Rs 100 crore to build two new manufacturing facilities covering an area of around 4 lakh sq.ft. One of these facilities is for manufacturing of lighting luminaires and streetlights, electrical switchgear like ACBs, contactors, MCCB and specialised panels, etc. The other facility is for the expansion of the electronic energy meter division. Besides this, HPL is executing certain turnkey projects for the railways and 220 kVA sub-stations in different parts of the country. These are the growth areas HPL is focussing on during the current financial year.

What is the vision of the company?

The HPL Group aspires to bring the best of technology in the country in fields of products like switchgear, electronic energy meter, lighting, etc. For us, quality and the latest technical products have more meaning than high-volume but low-technology products. Besides, HPL Group has a vision, which runs on our 3D philosophy both as a human and as a company.

How strong/effective is the distribution network?

The company has 69 marketing offices across the country with 1,500 authorised dealers and over 18,000 retailers. The group has manpower of more than 5,400 people. HPL has its presence overseas in South-east Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Products in HPL manufacturing facilities are supervised by its technical team and are the best in terms of technology, quality and design. This strong and effective presence gives HPL products a respectable share in the market and justifies its brand image that is 'Technology Brand of India'.

What are the company's landmark achievements?

The biggest achievement of the company is confidence of its customers, dealers and its own working team who are "HPL on the Spot". While our quality and technology have earned respect of our customers, our transparency and zeal to develop and explore new fields have encouraged the team of HPL.

Any breakthrough product launch that made a difference?

The launch of TAB Series of MCCBs last year made a considerable difference to the HPL industrial product range. The TAB series is among the best available in the market and has the stamp of the latest technology. HPL's switchgear R&D has developed TAB series of moulded case circuit breakers (MCCBs) with unique features like current limiting, reliable & precise protection against circuit abnormalities like overload, short circuit, etc., line load reversibility and adjustable overload protection against changing loads to meet and exceed various application demand. HPL MCCBs are available from 10 A-800 A, in different frame sizes, with breaking capacity from 10 kA-65 kA, for different applications like distribution circuit, transformer, capacitor bank, motor circuit and DC circuits among others. It also offers a wide range of accessories, which can even be fitted at site according to the need. The compactness in size and dimension makes the products simple to install.