Lauritz Knudsen: Eastern India Growth Outlook

Kolkata, May 18 (PTI) Lauritz Knudsen Electrical and Automation, part of the Schneider Electric group, sees Eastern India's growth outpacing the national average and is banking on infrastructure spending by the new West Bengal government to accelerate business momentum, a top company official said on Monday.

The company expressed optimism about the outlook following the change of guard in the state.

"There is huge scope in infrastructure and core industries development in the east," Naresh Kumar, Chief Operating Officer, told PTI, adding that growth here remains higher than the national average, though he did not elaborate with specific figures.

"We remain optimistic that the new government in West Bengal will see greater momentum in infrastructure-related spending," he said.

On the global energy situation, Kumar said geopolitical disruptions in energy markets had thrown open a significant electrification opportunity.


"There are at least 85 industrial processes that are now based on gas and fossil fuels and which can be electrified," he said, adding that this offered a major business opportunity for the company.

Kumar said the company has a 750-member R&D team in industrial automation and energy management, and Lauritz Knudsen planned to leverage its deep distribution presence in Tier II, III and IV markets - established through its agriculture pump business - to push these offerings into smaller towns and cities.

The remarks came on the sidelines of the company's largest-ever technology showcase in Kolkata, where it unveiled over 10 product innovations spanning switchgear, energy management, industrial automation and smart home segments.

The company said it brought together more than 800 MSMEs, customers, partners and industry stakeholders from across eastern India.

The innovations spanning low-voltage switchgear, power quality and energy management platforms, industrial automation solutions for sectors including steel, food processing and solar, and EV charging infrastructure were unveiled.

The company also unveiled enConnect, a wireless Wi-Fi-enabled home automation system offering control of lights, fans, air conditioners and curtains via touch, a mobile app or voice commands, designed to be retrofit-compatible without rewiring and installable by a local electrician.