Date:16/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/16/stories/2007061602791600.htm

Business

InterfaceFLOR expands

Special Correspondent

U.S. firm opens subsidiary in Bangalore

BANGALORE: The $1.2 billion U.S.-based manufacturer of specialised `carpet tiles', InterfaceFLOR, has expanded its India operations with the setting up of a wholly owned subsidiary in Bangalore which will support regional sales offices and service centres in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.

Lindsey Parnell, President and CEO of InterfaceFLOR for India, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Lindsey Parnell told reporters here on Thursday that, "Over the past seven years, we have sold 1.4 million sq. m. of carpet tiles in India, mainly to corporate customers including MNCs and Indian companies with a global presence such as Reliance and TCS. Bangalore with its multi-national IT firms remains the largest market, followed by Delhi, Mumbai and other cities".

Market share

The company has close to 40 per cent market share globally. Without disclosing the investments made so far in India, Mr. Parnell said, "It will become significant once we set up our own manufacturing plant here as we have in Europe, Thailand, Australia and the latest coming up in China".

Raj Menon, Country Manager-India, said, "Last year we sold five lakh sq. m. in India. Sales this fiscal are expected to touch seven lakh sq. m.

"This kind of growth will support local manufacturing and can help the pricing factor and market penetration".

In Europe and in the U.S., InterfaceFLOR has won recognition for its environment-friendly production technology that has reduced wastage from manufacturing by 70 per cent, cutting down greenhouse gases emission by 60 per cent and for 100 per cent use of renewable energy. These practices would be followed in India too, Mr. Parnell said.