PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays, has announced the expansion of its global manufacturing operations into India, bringing new opportunities for partners and customers, and employment in the local community.
Continuing an accelerated investment and expansion strategy in the region, the development, celebrated at an opening event on 21 June 2024, is the latest example of PPDS’ global ‘local for local’ strategy, aligned with the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Launched by the prime minister in September 2023, ‘Make in India’ was set up to encourage companies to develop, manufacture, and assemble products in the country, with the target of creating up to 100 million additional jobs.
According to figures from AVIXA, India remains the third largest pro AV market in APAC, valued at more than $7.7 billion and the country is forecast to become the third largest economy in the world by 2028-2030.
Following the recent opening of a new PPDS Studio in Gurugram – showcasing the company’s solutions and providing access to its local teams – PPDS has partnered with Mirc Electronics to manufacture a selected range of the company’s best-selling digital signage and interactive displays.
Based in Mumbai, Mirc Electronics has specialised in the manufacturing of LED and LCD televisions since 1981. With over 5,000 employees, as well as manufacturing its own brand products, Mirc Electronics provides the facilities and teams for the assembly of products for other technology companies.
Following extensive site visits and checks – including a thorough focus on working conditions and policies around waste and sustainability – PPDS has trained a specialist team to manufacture its products for the Indian market.
Philips Professional Displays made in India has launched with the 43in Philips Signage Q-Line. As part of its ‘Made in India’ strategy, PPDS is also planning a significant focus on education to enable smarter, more collaborative teaching and learning experiences inside schools, colleges, and universities.
According to Forbes, India’s EdTech industry is experiencing significant growth, estimated to reach $10.4bn by 2025. Growth of investment has been accredited heavily to Covid, together with a growing demand for higher education, with India now home to more than 1,000 universities, 42,000 colleges, accommodating approximately 40m students.
Strengthening its channel strategy further, PPDS is also now actively seeking to grow its existing reseller base in India, including AV/IT integrators, consultants, and architects.
Martijn van der Woude, VP global marketing and business development at PPDS, said: “India is a very important market for PPDS, with some incredible opportunities to support business there with a lasting impact on employment and opportunity. It’s vital we have the right infrastructure in place to do this and, aligned with our other territories, we have more feet on the ground than ever before in India, we have opened our first PPDS Studio in New Delhi and, today, we are announcing our ‘Made in India’ manufacturing, with Philips Professional Displays now being produced in Mumbai.”
He added: “At PPDS, we are fully committed to supporting our partners and customers in India, and to providing new opportunities to local communities, through technology and recruitment.”
Saurabh Bhambhani, India business head at PPDS, commented: “This is a historic moment for PPDS in India, further demonstrating our company’s commitment to this region. The past 12 months have been incredibly exciting – expanding our portfolio and creating new opportunities for our partners and customers to work together with us.
He concluded: “Manufacturing our products in India further cements the foundations and demonstrates that PPDS is here to stay, and here to make a real difference.”
