Currently, TTDI is the biggest player in the distribution transformers segment in India with an overall market share of 12-13 percent market share. "After the GIS offerings in the market up to 800kV, Toda is confident to reach 20 percent of the market share in the T&D segment. "We have also established an EPC division with which we shall be able to cater to Turnkey Substation business and expect a sizeable share in the AIS and GIS Substation business," Toda adds.
Toda believes that the contract to supply 1,500 transformers to Landis+Gyr Oy, a Finnish Toshiba Group company will give a big boost to its plans in becoming a core T&D production base for other major markets, including Europe, ASEAN, and Africa.
"This is the first significant contract for Toshiba's transmission and distribution business in Finland. We will manufacture 50kVa and 100kVA distribution transformers for Landis+Gyr Oy over the next three years, with options for further deliveries extending into 2021. With Toshiba's decades of experience in the high-end technology, we have plans to introduce certain innovative products to cater to the T&D segment from our existing plant at Hyderabad," he says.
Relevance of ‘Make in India'
Speaking in the context of the ‘Make in India' campaign, Toda says that India has always had the potential and the means to become one of the global manufacturing giants for the world.
"The ‘Make in India' campaign initiated by the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi is very welcoming for both existing companies who have set up manufacturing base in India and the potential investors as it reinforces the government's commitment to develop industrial corridors and modern infrastructure necessary for proficient operations," he says.
Toda also believes that the campaign advocates the ease of doing business in India which puts the government more in light of a partner than a regulator, to create conducive business environment.
For Toshiba, India is important not only as a market, but also as a strategic export and development base with highly talented people. "Even before the ‘Make in India' campaign was chronicled, Toshiba had announced a comprehensive strategy for expanding its social infrastructure business in Asia and around the world that positions India as a strategic business hub for its energy transmission and distribution equipment business," Toda says.
He acknowledges that India continues to record high economic growth, and long-term capital investment for infrastructure is expected in key areas such as electricity and transportation.
"In T&D, the Indian government is promoting measures to increase the number of 765kV substations, toward increasing the country's transmission capacity five times by 2017. This policy is driving demand for large power transformers and high voltage switchgears," he says, giving reasons for his optimism.
(Continued on the next page)
