Phoenix Contact, founded over 80 years ago, is a leading manufacturer of electric connection and industrial automation technology. 9,900 employees, 47 own sales companies and 30 sales partner worldwide ensure customer proximity. The company is dedicated to the creation of progress with inspiring, innovative solutions and to a trusting partnership towards our customers and partners with common benefits. Ashish Manchanda, Marketing Manager, Phoenix Contact (India) responded to the IPF Questionnaire, regarding the company and its products and services. An Electrical Engineer with PG degree in management, Mr Manchanda has exposure of over 20 years in Electrical & Electronics industry, and is with the company for over 15 years. Excerpts

How old is the company's India connection? When did the company formally enter India?

Phoenix Contact (India) is around 17 years old. It formally entered India in 1993 in collaboration with Laxman Exports Pvt Ltd. Right now it's a complete subsidiary of Phoenix Contact GmbH.

What are the products that you offer?

We provide the best solution of Interfacing and Automation technology for any control system. With six product lines, Phoenix Contact offers an innovative portfolio of industrial electro-technology. From the classical modular terminal block to splash-proof machine connectors to the wireless Ethernet, the company provides innovations, which do more than our customers expect. Consistent investments in innovative products and processes have made Phoenix Contact one of the global leaders today with all of its product ranges.

What are the applications?

The application areas of our each product lines are mentioned below:

• Clipline (Industrial Connection Technology): We have everything required for the perfect control cabinet (terminal block through the assembly material and practical tools to the complete PC-supported configuration and making system)
• Pluscon (Industrial Connectors): We provide a modern and comprehensive program of industrial connectors for all applications to save even more time and costs with system installations
• Combicon (PCB Connection System): We have complete program of PCB terminal blocks and plug connectors for the printed circuit board. For development departments, Phoenix Contact also offers electronic housings, plug-in card blocks, and DIN socket strips
• Trabtech (Surge Protection): Phoenix Contact offers one of the market's widest product ranges, structured in surge protection for power supplies, data interfaces and measuring and control applications
• Interface (Signal Converters): The Interface product range comprises interfaces for binary, serial and analog signals as well as power supplies, PLC cabling and electronic load relays, and
• Automation: From the serial sensor/actor box up to visualisation software, the Automationworx catalogue offers everything modern automation technology requires.

Why should the customer opt for these?

Our customer can get complete solution for connection technology under a single umbrella with complete, interfacing connection and automation technology. We have complete range of industrial grade products having all required industrial certifications and approvals.

With advanced equipment, sophisticated workmanship, comprehensive testing method and strict quality control in all processes, we provide our customers with most reliable products with consistent quality.

With our Headoffice and Product Marketing Division in New Delhi three regional offices in Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore, resident sales engineers across all major cities and 180+ channel partners, we ensure customer proximity.

Do you have manufacturing activity in India or it is just a marketing/servicing operation?

In India, we have three manufacturing locations (2 in New Delhi, one in Haryana) with imported machinery working under strict on-line quality instructions of Phoenix Contact, Germany. As part of the global Phoenix Contact production network, Phoenix Contact India is committed to provide the Phoenix Contact quality standard for all products made in India. Also we are certified as an ISO 9001-2000 company by DNV, Netherlands.

How strong/effective is the after sales service?

Customer proximity and satisfaction is the most important principle for 600 employees working all over the country. An experienced team of product specialists and regional engineers are working closely together to offer timely support to our customers in major cities of the country along with a dedicated network of more than 180 channel partners.

How does the cost of ownership over the life cycle compare with what the competition offers?

Phoenix Contact has a strongest of R&D force and investments for new innovations. Each year Phoenix Contact launches many new products, which are apart from the customised solutions we develop by working in close association with the customers. As a result we are always one step ahead with the competition with respect to product life cycle costs.

What is the company's history?

The headquarters of Phoenix Contact are at the center of Germany, in East Westphalia-Lippe. Since its founding in 1923, the company has developed into a global player. Four German production sites and five international manufacturing facilities form the production network of the company. This network guarantees marketability and flexibility, with the same production expertise everywhere, be it in Europe, America or Asia. No matter where they are in the world, our customers encounter the same qualities - The power and expertise of a global player combined with the dynamics of a medium-sized company.

Phoenix Contact India (Pvt) Ltd established as a joint venture with Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co., Germany has been one of the leading technology oriented company since its inception in 1993. With innovative products in the range of terminal blocks, connectors, interfacing solutions, surge protection devices and automation components, Phoenix Contact India has offered value added solutions to the different industrial segments including energy, process, machine tools, EMS, railways, telecom etc.

What are the company's achievements?

Since it's founding in 1923 in Germany, the company has developed into a global player. Four German production sites and five international manufacturing facilities form the production network of the company.

From simple and special terminal blocks to industrial connections, surge protection and seamless automation, the company offers suggestions, concepts, solutions and applications which provide a basis for greater functionality, higher productivity and increased operating comfort - just what an efficient partnership requires.

Today, Phoenix Contact has the right products and solutions for industries as varied as: automotive, chemical & petrochemical, power generation & distribution, oil & gas, device manufacturers, telecommunication, traffic engineering, water and waste water treatment, among others.

Any breakthrough product launch that made a difference?

Our range of Industrial Grade Ethernet/Networking Components have made the industry realise the importance of the need for reliable features like temperature, EMC, modularity, DIN rail mounting, environment protection, etc.

How is the present business environment?

The present business scenario in India is progressive as an overall situation with telecom, infrastructure and renewable energy growing faster. However, the business is divided into high end, middle end and low end segments based on the factors of quality solutions. In India, typically due to lack of industry standards many of the industries are turning towards low cost low reliability solutions. As a result of this short term approach the low end segment is expanding and degrading the overall technology standard.

What are the future plans?

The future plans of Phoenix Contact is to go for higher market penetration with the complete solution basket so that maximum customers can get the long term benefits of reliable industrial grade components.