Date:18/02/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/02/18/stories/2005021802791900.htm

Back German co launches switches for modern buildings in Bangalore

Our Bureau

Bangalore , Feb. 17

THE trend in villa construction in Bangalore has attracted the 100-year-old German company, Merten, which specialises in electro-technical switches for intelligent buildings, to launch its products here on Thursday.

Merten's intelligent switches, which have multi-functions based on embedded programmes to control different lighting and appliances control systems.

Mr Rainer Steffens, Project Manager (International), said Merten would market its products through the projects and retail channels for which the company was in talks with leading real estate developers and architects.

Merten would be introducing its latest European Integrated Bus (EIB) technology, which fits into modern intelligent building management technology.

Mr Steffens said Merten's products, which provide safety, security, flexibility and comfort would be marketed for homes, hotels, hospitals and offices. One of the products, Merten@home, enables control of home, holiday home or commercial buildings via the PDA, touch screen, personal computer or televison.

Mr Steffan said Merten, which has a turnover of euro 130 million, said the Indian market would "contribute a huge chunk to our growth" in about three years.