It was during the height of the Swadeshi movement that Philips made its beginning in India, in the year 1930. At that time, Mr S C Dey, the first sales manager of the company, literally walked from house to house convincing people that Philips Electric Lamps, then imported from Holland were more economical to use than conventional sources of light. Dey's hard sell worked; the company achieved a sales turnover of Rs 0.6 million within the first year of its operations. This set the stage for the growth of Philips India.

In keeping with the Philips philosophy of promoting the industrial development of less developed nations, Philips India set up the first Indian lamp factory in the year 1939. After the Second World War, Philips started manufacturing radios. This was a major turning point for Philips India, and marked the beginning of the company's subsequent growth in the world of electronics.

In 1963, a new site was acquired at Baliaghata to house the company's packing and forwarding department, and, by 1965 the millionth Philips radio had rolled off the assembly lines. In 1997, the manufacture of luminaires was shifted to a new location - this was another landmark in the history of Philips as it set the trend for a continuing transition from the old to the new. 

Subsequently, a R & D and Commercial Building at the Luminaire Centre was established in 1984. Not too long afterwards, in 1988, the first colour TV receiver rolled out of the Philips factory at Salt Lake, Calcutta.

In the 90s as well, Philips continued to bring to the Indian consumer new and innovative products, which were backed by the latest technology and which carried the renowned Philips stamp of quality.

BC Components India Pvt. Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of BC International a multinational with head quarters in Eindhoven, Netherlands. In a strategic move,
B C Components started its Indian operation from its facility at Loni, near Pune in Maharashtra. With this, the business of Non-Ceramic Passive Components was transferred from Philips India Limited to become a part of B C Components Worldwide. The Indian subsidiary is benefitting from its access to the R & D technology centres for all its products and also with new export opportunities through its global marketing network.

With over 4,200 people, production facilities at 12 locations and Sales Offices in more than 15 countries worldwide, B C Components International holds a strong position globally.

Address: Philips India Ltd.
Loni Kalbhor,
Pune - 412 201,
Phone: 691 3156
URL: www.philipsindia.com

Text: Prasad Hiranwar
Photo Courtesy: Philips India Ltd.