Industry Analysis Report of Electrical Industry
CHAPTER- I
Introduction
INDIAN ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY
PROSPECTS OF THE INDIAN ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY
Like every other industrial sector in India, the Indian Electrical/Electronics Industry too is slowly emerging from out of its "protective cover". For far too long has Indian Industry remained shackled and consequently inward looking. Over the past fifty years there was no exposure to global players and competition, with the result that the Industry grew up in a sheltered environment, dependent on the Government for everything, from licenses to protection to tariffs. Each one of these interventions was aimed at securing protection for oneself and ensuring growth of one’s own organization at the cost of industry and the nation at large. Lack of global competition encouraged a "cost plus" approach, where every conceivable cost increase was passed on to the customer. There was thus no motivation to reduce costs.
With delicensing, decontrol and deregulation, Indian Industry has suddenly been exposed to global competition. Since last decade, India has witnessed what global players have achieved and what they are capable of achieving. We are becoming aware of competition on our turf. In this scenario, every company complains of increased competition, lower order books and shrinking margins. The Indian Electrical/Electronics Industry is of course further besieged by the fact that there is a dearth of business on account of lack of investment in the power infrastructure. Many organizations in this industry are looking overseas to develop the export markets owing to reduced demand at home. At the outset, it must be stated that the reduced domestic demand is at best a temporary phenomenon. The power sector in India is bound to grow and this will undoubtedly boost demand from the Utilities, quite apart from the industrial demand which will continue to grow with increased industrial output. The poor financial health of the SEBs is however a damper that
Introduction
INDIAN ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY
PROSPECTS OF THE INDIAN ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY
Like every other industrial sector in India, the Indian Electrical/Electronics Industry too is slowly emerging from out of its "protective cover". For far too long has Indian Industry remained shackled and consequently inward looking. Over the past fifty years there was no exposure to global players and competition, with the result that the Industry grew up in a sheltered environment, dependent on the Government for everything, from licenses to protection to tariffs. Each one of these interventions was aimed at securing protection for oneself and ensuring growth of one’s own organization at the cost of industry and the nation at large. Lack of global competition encouraged a "cost plus" approach, where every conceivable cost increase was passed on to the customer. There was thus no motivation to reduce costs.
With delicensing, decontrol and deregulation, Indian Industry has suddenly been exposed to global competition. Since last decade, India has witnessed what global players have achieved and what they are capable of achieving. We are becoming aware of competition on our turf. In this scenario, every company complains of increased competition, lower order books and shrinking margins. The Indian Electrical/Electronics Industry is of course further besieged by the fact that there is a dearth of business on account of lack of investment in the power infrastructure. Many organizations in this industry are looking overseas to develop the export markets owing to reduced demand at home. At the outset, it must be stated that the reduced domestic demand is at best a temporary phenomenon. The power sector in India is bound to grow and this will undoubtedly boost demand from the Utilities, quite apart from the industrial demand which will continue to grow with increased industrial output. The poor financial health of the SEBs is however a damper that