Page 34 - CIJ April 2025- Digital Edition

INDUSTRY TALK

Transcending Barriers: A clean sweep into the neighbourhood

IPC TENNANT India’s foray into South Asia

Focused on extending IPC Tennant’s operational footprint beyond India, looking closely at Sri Lanka,
Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and even the Maldives, Managing Director Tony Chazhoor in his new
additional charge as GM-Indian Subcontinent outlines his ambitious plan to tap into India’s neighbouring
markets using the company’s inherent strengths in manufacturing, diverse product offerings and direct
reach. Excerpts of his candid talks with Editor Mohana M

Regional Reach largely through dealers and “Our competitors often have
franchise partners. There is no
straightjacketed offerings. We
“We have not been focused on significant direct presence. That is can offer premium Tennant range,
neighbouring countries as much where our strategy will differ.” mid-tier IPC models, and even
as we should have,” admits Tony. a comprehensive economical
“Brands from India already have a IPC Tennant is planning to range — thanks to our China
strong commercial presence in Sri leverage its soon-to-launch manufacturing and upcoming India
manufacturing in India to serve
Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal — these markets more efficiently. plant.”
many India corporates, for example, “We will start with third-party
supplies wide range of products manufacturing and have an MoU in This unique capability that
in these countries. We are late to Tennant brought through
capitalise on this opportunity.” place. Eventually, we will take over acquisitions is empowering the
and expand these operations,” Tony
The cultural, linguistic, and explains. brand to offer wide range of
products to choose from especially
logistical similarities between India Products manufactured in in these markets like South Asia.
and these neighbouring nations India can be shipped much faster
are a major advantage. “Doing
business is far easier for us than for to Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Market Conditions
companies coming from China or Lanka — far more efficiently than and Demand
Singapore,” says Tony. importing from China or Europe.
“It becomes a natural extension India, says Tony, is a vast
for us.” and growing economy — but
Presence, Not Just its neighbours are in varying
Products Multiple Price Points stages of recovery. “Sri Lanka
Some of the cleaning equipment One of IPC Tennant’s major is recovering from a prolonged
brands have presence in these advantages is its ability to cater economic crisis, with import
neighbouring countries, “it is to different market segments. restrictions still in place due to
foreign exchange shortages. Even
vehicle manufacturers are surviving
by reconditioning vehicles that are
over 20 years old.”
This presents a unique opening.
“India is one of the few countries
Sri Lanka is still able to import
from. So, we can help them with
cleaning machines and equipment
they need.”
In contrast, Bangladesh is already
a big user of mechanised solutions.
“The country has large-scale
ceramic and textile industries.
Despite its economic challenges,
it uses high-end Tennant machines
imported from the US. That
shows the preference for quality
equipment,” he says.
34 APRIL 2025•Clean India Journal•www.cleanindiajournal.com