Source: Niranjan Mudholkar

“We have always focused on innovation and have believed in staying ahead of the curve by continually developing new and innovative products that meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

May 2023 : In this exclusive interaction with Niranjan Mudholkar, Editorial Director, Pro MFG Media, Ashok Rajpal, Managing Director, Ambrane India, says that innovation plays a crucial role in the appliances and gadgets industry as consumers are becoming increasingly demanding in terms of features, functions, and aesthetics.

Ambrane has recently completed the first decade of its existence successfully. How do you look back at this journey?

We are incredibly proud to have completed the first decade of our existence successfully. This milestone is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and customers who have supported us throughout this journey.

Looking back, we have come a long way since our inception in 2012. We started as a small company with a vision to provide affordable and innovative technology solutions to people across India. Today, we have established ourselves as one of the leading players in the Indian consumer electronics market.

Over the last ten years, we have launched several innovative products, ranging from power banks, wireless chargers, Bluetooth speakers, earphones, and charging solutions, more. We have always focused on delivering products that offer the latest features, high quality, and exceptional value for money.

However, our success would not have been possible without the support of our customers, who have shown us unwavering loyalty and trust over the years. We are committed to continuing our mission of providing affordable and innovative technology solutions to people across India, and we look forward to the next decade with great excitement and optimism.

What are some of the challenges that you have faced as an entrepreneur and how did you overcome the same?

As an entrepreneur, we have faced several challenges on our journey. Some of the significant challenges that we have faced include fierce competition, market volatility, and changing consumer preferences.

To overcome these challenges, we have adopted a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, we have always focused on innovation and have believed in staying ahead of the curve by continually developing new and innovative products that meet the evolving needs of our customers. We have invested heavily in research and development to ensure that our products are of the highest quality and offer the latest features.

Secondly, we have also focused on building strong relationships with our customers. We believe that the key to success in any business is to understand your customers' needs and provide them with personalized solutions that meet their specific requirements. By building strong relationships with our customers, we have been able to establish ourselves as a trusted and reliable brand in the market.

Lastly, we have also adopted a flexible and adaptive approach to business. We understand that the market is constantly evolving, and we need to be able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. We have always been open to new ideas and have embraced change, which has allowed us to stay ahead of the competition and overcome the challenges that we have faced.

In summary, as an entrepreneur, we believe that the key to overcoming challenges is to stay innovative, build strong relationships with customers, and adopt a flexible and adaptive approach to business.

From being a ‘game changer’ in the Power Bank Industry, Ambrane has come a long way in terms of its diversification in other product categories. Tell us briefly about this evolution in terms of product offerings.

Ambrane has come a long way from being a game-changer in the power bank industry. Over the years, we have diversified our product offerings to cater to the evolving needs of our customers. We have always believed in delivering the latest technology at an affordable price point.

Our diversification strategy started with the introduction of wireless chargers and Bluetooth speakers, which were well received by our customers. We then expanded our product portfolio to include earphones, headphones, data cables, and various other mobile accessories.

In recent years, we have also ventured into new product categories such as smartwatches, fitness bands, and home entertainment systems. Our focus has always been on delivering high-quality products that offer the latest features and exceptional value for money.

Our evolution in terms of product offerings has been driven by our commitment to innovation, customer feedback, and market research. We have always been open to new ideas and have invested heavily in research and development to ensure that our products are of the highest quality.

Our evolution in terms of product offerings has been a natural progression driven by our commitment to delivering the latest technology at an affordable price point. We are confident that our continued focus on innovation and diversification will help us to stay ahead of the curve and deliver exceptional value to our customers.

What kind of manufacturing capabilities and capacities does Ambrane have at present?

Ambrane has invested heavily in manufacturing capabilities and has established state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities to cater to the growing demand for our products.

At present, our company has a manufacturing facility situated in Kundli, India which spans over an area of 30,000 square feet. However, we are in the process of expanding this facility, and it is soon going to be expanded to 90,000 square feet. Our current production lines stand at four, but this number is going to be doubled as we expand our facility to eight production lines.

Our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is equipped with the latest and advanced machinery and technology. Furthermore, we have a team of highly skilled professionals who oversee and manage the entire manufacturing process to ensure quality control at every step.

Our manufacturing capabilities are diverse, and we offer a range of services such as injection moulding, metal stamping, tooling, PCB assembly, and final product assembly. With our manufacturing expertise, we have the capacity to produce over 750k units per month for now and will expand to 1.5million units per month in our new manufacturing unit. Additionally, we have designed our manufacturing facilities to meet global quality standards and certifications, ensuring that our customers receive the highest quality products.

We also have a strong focus on research and development, and our manufacturing capabilities are supported by a dedicated R&D team that works on developing new and innovative products that meet the evolving needs of our customers.

You operate in a very competitive industry. How are you managing costs at the manufacturing level while also ensuring good quality at competitive prices?

Yes, we operate in a highly competitive industry, and managing costs at the manufacturing level is critical to our success. However, we never compromise on quality, and ensuring that our products meet global quality standards is a top priority for us.

To manage costs at the manufacturing level, we have adopted several strategies. Firstly, we have invested in state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities that are highly automated and efficient, which helps us to reduce labour costs and improve productivity.

Secondly, we have established a robust supply chain that allows us to procure raw materials at competitive prices. We have established long-term partnerships with our suppliers and work closely with them to optimize costs while maintaining quality.

Thirdly, we have implemented strict quality control processes at every stage of the manufacturing process, from raw material procurement to final product assembly. We have a dedicated quality control team that oversees the entire manufacturing process and ensures that our products meet global quality standards.

Lastly, we also focus on continuous improvement and cost optimization. We regularly review our manufacturing processes and look for opportunities to streamline operations and reduce costs without compromising on quality.

Innovation plays a key role in the appliances and gadgets industry as consumers are becoming increasingly demanding in terms of features, functions and aesthetics. How is Ambrane addressing this issue?

Innovation plays a crucial role in the appliances and gadgets industry as consumers are becoming increasingly demanding in terms of features, functions, and aesthetics. At Ambrane, we understand this and have always been committed to delivering the latest technology and innovative products that cater to the evolving needs of our customers.

To address this issue, we have a dedicated R&D team that is constantly exploring new technologies, features, and designs. We closely monitor the market and consumer trends to identify new opportunities and product gaps, and we work towards developing products that meet those needs.

We also engage with our customers to understand their needs and preferences. Customer feedback is an integral part of our innovation process, and we use this feedback to improve our existing products and develop new ones that meet their needs.

In addition, we have established partnerships with leading technology providers to access the latest technologies and stay ahead of the curve. Finally, we have a strong focus on design and aesthetics. We understand that consumers not only want products that are functional but also products that look good and are aesthetically pleasing. Our design team works closely with our R&D team to develop products that are not only functional but also look good and meet the latest design trends.

Ambrane is all set to clock ₹230 crore revenues for the ongoing FY 22-23. What is driving this growth? And what kind of numbers will you be looking at for the upcoming FY?

We are pleased to announce that our company is expected to achieve revenues of ₹230 crore for the ongoing fiscal year 2022-2023. This growth has been fuelled by several factors, including our focus on innovation, customer-centric approach, and a robust distribution network.

With the ongoing pandemic, the demand for charging solutions has increased significantly, especially for people who are travelling frequently. To meet this demand, we have expanded our product offerings in the wearables and IT categories. We are committed to providing high-quality charging solutions that are compatible with a wide range of devices.

In addition to expanding our product portfolio, we have also increased our reach to customers by physically available in strategic stores and partnering with online platforms to offer our products to a wider audience.

Our company’s focus on innovation has helped us to develop new and innovative products that meet the changing needs of our customers. We have also expanded our product portfolio to include a range of products in different categories, which has helped us to reach a wider customer base.

Our customer-centric approach has been a key factor in our success. We strive to understand our customers' needs and preferences, and we work towards developing products that meet those needs. Our commitment to quality has also helped us to build a strong reputation for our products, which has contributed to our growth.

We have established a strong distribution network that helps us to reach customers across India. We work with leading distributors and retailers, and we have a strong online presence, which has helped us to expand our reach and increase our sales.

Looking ahead, we are optimistic about the future and expect to continue our growth trajectory in the upcoming fiscal year. We plan to achieve a significant increase in revenues and expand our product portfolio further. Our company will continue to focus on innovation, a customer-centric approach, and a strong distribution network to drive our growth in the upcoming fiscal year.

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