Official vaccinator

After the World Health Organisation gave its approval under the new product qualification system PQS to Rajiv Nath, for his AD syringes A...

After the World Health Organisation gave its approval under the new product qualification system PQS to Rajiv Nath, for his AD syringes Auto Disable, the tycoon has seen sales rising. This is because the tycoon8217;s syringes permanently lock the syringe after a single use, thus preventing unauthorised repackaging/ resale or reuse. The WHO had already published a report some time ago stating that 60 per cent of injections administered are unsafe and had thus recommended these syringes for vaccinations.

The tycoon8217;s happier now that the Indian government recently made it mandatory for use in vaccinations at Central government hospitals and national immunisation programmes.

Thus the Rs 225 crore manufacturer of sterile medical disposables, expects a huge increase in demand is now expanding the capacity of all his seven units with the intention of doubling his present 120 million syringes per annum. Profits too will grow just as fast. With the market for AD syringes expected to grow at 250-300 million syringes per annum within the next three years, many domestic manufacturers are beginning to manufacture them. Yet HMD hopes to stay the leader.

A road well trod

The Silicon Valley entrepreneur Rajiv Mody of Sasken Technologies has come a long way since his 8216;operating out of a garage8217; days in Fremont, California. The tycoon today may not belong to the top bracket of software entrepreneurs of the country, but he certainly is heading one of the most dynamic software entities here. Intel Capital has after all undertaken two rounds of funding for him. Mody today is pitching his ambition farther. Sasken has acquired Mumbai-based Blue Broadband Technologies. Blue Broadband, a privately-held company with an employee strength of 100, would be enriching Sasken8217;s client list by adding leading names among wireless equipment vendors. Mody8217;s first acquisition signals Sasken8217;s entry into the challenging telecom network management space. The move, apart from its strategic importance for the telecom software specialist, is perhaps aimed at creating the right environment for its planned IPO later this year. The tycoon is clearly aiming at reaping good value from a buoyant stock market.

The retail web

Gopiram and Balakrishna Goenka-controlled Welspun is preparing to make a preferential allotment of 14.1 per cent stake to Singapore-based private equity fund Temasek. The fund-raising is clearly aimed at supporting the expansion plans in the form of new weaving capacity and of course, some big-time retail and brand development initiatives. The Goenkas appear gung-ho about the export prospects of Indian home furnishing items in the quota-free regime. They expect global retail giants like Walmart to increase their outsourcing from Welspun that has already created a name for itself in the segment. Presently, they are also looking at strengthening their hold on the domestic market, which till date has remained largely unorganised. It seems the company has decided to focus on the organised retail route to penetrate the market further. It is planning to open as many as 125 outlets during the next 3 years. The Goenkas appear to be hinging their strategy on a twin-track approach. While its own brand Spaces would be positioned for the mid-segment slot, Tommy Hilfiger whose marketing rights it acquired last year would be positioned at the top end of the market. Tapping both ends of the market is of course not a bad idea! But only time will tell.

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