As you walk home, the scorching sun is melting you, and sweat sticks to your clothes. You turn on the fan, but all you get is the spark of a failing connection. Frustration washes over you, and the thought of waiting hours for an electrician adds to the misery.
This was the reality for millions of Indians just a few decades ago: flickering lights, dangling wires, faulty switches, and unreliable appliances were a daily struggle. But then, a school teacher with a vision for a brighter future stepped in, ready to rewrite the script.
So, what was the pathbreaking route he took that illuminated the lives of many? Read on…
Stepping Beyond the Classroom
Born in 1937 to a lower-middle-class family in Malerkotla, Punjab, India, Qimat Rai Gupta’s formative years were steeped in the essence of Indian culture and the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita. While he began his career as a school teacher, he always wanted to explore new possibilities in the world of trade.
While visiting Delhi on a holiday, Gupta got a chance to manage his uncle’s electrical goods shop in Bhagirath Palace. Impressed by his enthusiasm, his uncle made him an equal partner in his trading business.
Birth of a Legacy
In 1958, with just Rs. 10,000, he established Guptaji & Company, an electrical trading business, in the bustling Bhagirath wholesale market for electrical goods.
His vision wasn’t limited to just trading; he envisioned building top-notch manufacturing facilities across India.
From Acquisition to Revolution
Qimat Rai Gupta had a decade-long experience in the electrical goods market and he had established his name in the market.
A pivotal moment arrived in 1971 when he acquired a small electrical goods business of Havells for Rs. 700,000.
Havells belonged to a switchgear company owned by Haveli Ram Gandhi, (the source of the Havells name). Gupta, who happened to be one of the distributors for Havells, saw the potential in the distressed company and acquired the entire business.
This seemingly ordinary event sparked a revolution in the FMEG (Fast-Moving Electric Goods) industry.
The Cornerstone of Trust
Building a brand wasn’t easy. Back then, the market was flooded with generic electrical equipment. Gupta knew Havells needed to stand out. He focused on two crucial aspects: quality and innovation.
Every Havells switch, every Havells cable, was meticulously crafted to be reliable and durable. This unwavering commitment to quality resonated with Indian consumers, and Havells slowly began establishing itself as a name synonymous with trust.
Cracking Havells Success Formula
Recognizing the limitations of a trading business, Gupta took a bold step in 1976. He established the company’s first manufacturing unit in Kirti Nagar, Delhi. This marked a turning point.
Havells began producing rewireable and changeover switches, catering to a market with limited organized players. The strategy was simple: cater to the growing Indian market with high-quality, locally manufactured products.
Expansion of Havells Manufacturing
The success of the first manufacturing unit fueled further expansion. By 1979, Havells had set up two more plants, expanding its portfolio to include HBC fuses and high-quality energy meters.
However, Gupta understood that organic growth alone wouldn’t suffice. He adopted a strategic approach to acquisitions, targeting loss-making companies with turnaround potential.
Havells bought a money-losing electrical meter maker, Towers and Transformers, and turned it profitable in just a year. This ability to identify and revive struggling businesses became a hallmark of their growth strategy.
Weathering the Storm
The late 80s witnessed a new challenge – the influx of cheap Chinese imports. While many domestic companies faltered, Gupta held firm to the company’s core principles. He refused to compromise on quality and remained committed to the Swadeshi approach.
This unwavering commitment, coupled with investments in brand building and R&D, proved to be a masterstroke. Havells not only survived but also thrived, establishing itself as a leader in the Indian electrical goods market.
Building a Brand Powerhouse
Havells’ growth trajectory took a sharp upward turn during this next phase. Qimat Rai Gupta, ever the strategist, spearheaded the company’s entry into new product categories like fans and lighting fixtures.
A joint venture with the German company Geyer, followed by another with DZG, provided access to cutting-edge expertise, ensuring Havells remained at the forefront of innovation and quality..
Acquisitions continued to play a crucial role, with Havells adding established brands like Crabtree, Standard, and Duke to their portfolio.
Capitalizing on Opportunities
Gupta now set his sights on the consumer durables market in the early 2000s. He capitalized on the booming housing sector, introducing innovative products like India’s first ‘Green CFL’ and BEE five-star rated fan.
This new line of business required a boost in terms of communication. Gupta understood the power of connecting with his audience. He moved away from generic advertising and adopted an out-of-the-box approach that made his products stand out.
Joining The Big Leagues
The year 2007 marked a significant milestone. Havells’ acquisition of Sylvania, a leading global lighting company, propelled them into the big league.
Gupta’s Havells was now rubbing shoulders with the world’s top lighting companies, a far cry from their humble beginnings in Bhagirath Place.
New Leadership, New Direction
The visionary leader who steered Havells from a fledgling business to a Rs. 1.15 lakh crore empire, sadly passed away in 2014. With his second born, Anil Rai Gupta taking over the business, Havells sold their profitable Sylvania business in 2015. While Europe stagnated, the Indian market boomed.
The focus shifted back to India, prioritizing domestic growth over a global presence. They acquired Lloyd’s consumer business to expand their product range. This strategic shift prioritized domestic dominance over a global footprint.
A Well-Lit Path in a Competitive Landscape
Despite the crowded marketplace, Havells holds its ground in several highly competitive segments. In MCBs (miniature circuit breakers) and switches, they face off against foreign giants like Legrand, Schneider, and Anchor (now owned by Panasonic).
When it comes to the lighting and small domestic appliance space, the competition intensifies further with formidable giants such as Philips, Crompton, and Wipro.
The space of ACs, TVs, fridges, and washing machines sees them battle foreign players like LG, Samsung, Sony, Daikin, and Carrier, vying for market share alongside domestic giants like Voltas, the biggest AC player in India.
The Havells Advantage
Their unique strength lies in their deep and wide presence within Indian households. With over 13 manufacturing plants across India, the company produces 95% of its products domestically.
Their extensive product portfolio encompasses everything from fans and geysers to refrigerators and washing machines and caters to every household need.
Fueled by a net profit of Rs. 1270 crore in FY2024, Havells remains dedicated to its core strengths – innovation, manufacturing, and distribution.
The Future is Bright
Looking ahead, Havells plans to expand their distribution network significantly, targeting 2,800 additional towns across India with populations between 10,000 and 50,000.
Havells has set their sights on international expansion, with the Middle East and Africa as potential new frontiers.
I’m Archana R. Chettiar, an experienced content creator with
an affinity for writing on personal finance and other financial content. I
love to write on equity investing, retirement, managing money, and more.