Hectronic opens new branches in India

In a move which leaves no doubt about Hectronics strategic goals for India, three more branches have now been opened in Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai. The countrys dimensions are well known: more than 1.1 billion people and almost ten times the surface area of Germany, to mention just two parameters that convey Indias vastness. A gigantic market, therefore, whose momentum is due to the countrys industrial upturn over the last few years. And in the middle of it all: Hectronic.

Opening ceremony. Ernst Forster and Ramu Gopi cut the ribbon to the new office in Chennai. Renganathan Prashanth und Chettichamkandy Jineesh are beaming in the background.

The company had enjoyed contacts in India for a long time and around two years ago it established its first base on the Subcontinent with its Bangalore office. Since then three more have opened, in Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai. Its too early to talk of blanket coverage, smiles Ernst Forster, but weve clearly spread out in all four directions. The Hectronic Chairman is organising the companys activities in India as a sort of special emissary and declares himself satisfied with developments far from home. Each move into a new office has been a festive, and sometimes euphoric, occasion. Were no longer new to India but opening four new premises (in addition to the three new branches the programme also included a change of address in Bangalore) produced something of a pioneering spirit, reports Ernst Forster.

Hectronic now employs 20 people in India, with a clear separation of responsibilities and divisions between Parking and Refuelling. And collaboration between the continents is functioning better and better all the time. In addition to Ernst Forster, sales managers Kleta Brugger (Parking) and Christian Guttmann (Refuelling) are now travelling regularly to India to help in India establish Hectronic in one of the worlds biggest markets. Were learning from one another and were learning to understand each others way of thinking. This hasnt always been and still isnt always easy, admits Ernst Forster.

Everyone is already clear on one (key) point, however: If we want to achieve lasting success in India, we have to show a real presence locally, is the unanimous verdict.