Latest news with #Marwah
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Centre's losses from grey market TV sellers may swell to $2 billion: SPPL CEO
NEW DELHI: The Central government's losses from unregulated grey market television (TV) sellers may reach $2 billion (~₹17,200 crore) in the near future, according to Super Plastronics ( SPPL ). The Noida-based firm is the brand licensee of Thomson , Kodak , and Blaupunkt in India. 'Organised brands such as SPPL, brands, and OEMs have a huge challenge to deal with. The government may have to bear up to $2 billion of tax loss in the near future. The government is undertaking measures, but unorganised trade is causing significant problems,' Avneet Singh Marwah, CEO, SPPL, told ETTelecom . These grey market sellers, he said, primarily operate in the entry-level TV segment, where the top five market players have started coming under pressure. 'The government is also losing out on customs duties. The practices of unorganised traders are perfect for initiating regulatory actions by agencies such as the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED),' he added. Industry executives said such traders regularly import electronic components from countries such as China, assemble them in factories in locations such as Delhi's Lajpat Nagar, and sell unbranded televisions in rural markets, where consumer awareness about brand authenticity and related aspects remain low. Marwah said SPPL has a 6% share in the TV market, which has a volume of around 14 million units, and expects this to grow to 7% in 2026, supported by premium, large-screen models backed by display and audio innovations. Recently, Thomson launched new mini-LED TVs with a 108W speaker system comprising two integrated subwoofers, QD 4K displays, powered by Google TV, in the price range of ₹61,999 to ₹95,999. The top executive said the TV market remained stagnant in the first half of 2025, but the upcoming festival season, combined with the replacement cycle, may drive recovery in the July-December 2025 period. 'One of the key reasons (for market stagnation) is due to the purchases that happened during the COVID pandemic. I think there was a saturation in the market, and there was no disruption in technology. Now, the time has come. The replacement in the market will start from H2 2025,' he said. Counterpoint Research has projected that the Indian TV market may grow by a modest 4% in 2025, with a recovery anticipated in the second half following a sluggish start to the year. 'Due to the ongoing economic uncertainty and inventory issues across top brands, the market is likely to remain slow with a premiumisation trend as buyers begin to value performance and quality alongside affordability. The demand for premium and large-screen TVs will continue to rise, while shipments of smaller 32-inch TVs are expected to decline further,' Anshika Jain, senior research analyst, Counterpoint, told ETTelecom . The research agency said that artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled smart TVs remain in the early stages of adoption, with major players gradually offering advanced features such as adaptive picture and sound, as well as multilingual voice assistants.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Auto 4.0 needs people 4.0: ACMA President Shradha Suri Marwah
As India's auto component industry transitions into a new era of digitisation, automation, and sustainability, its most urgent challenge isn't just technological, it's human. And, reskilling is key to staying ahead in the innovation curve, according to Shardha Suri Marwah, President of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), and MD of Subros. 'Our entire industry is going through a transformation. The way we did manufacturing in the past no longer exists,' says Shradha. "Reskilling is not just important. It is central to how we move forward," she adds. Marwah, who also chairs the board at Subros Ltd, emphasises that the sector's preparedness hinges on workforce evolution. 'Some jobs will get lost and new ones will get created. That's why reskilling is required. You reskill people and use them for something else. Human capital will continue to create the most of value,' she says. The challenge is more acute for smaller firms. 'Tier 1s align quickly. But Tier 2s and Tier 3s need structured support. That's where ACMA comes in to help the industry rise together,' she explains. ACMA's Annual Report 2023–24 shows how seriously the industry is taking this task. Over 2,400 man-days of skilling and upskilling workshops were conducted across clusters, focusing on lean manufacturing, digital quality systems, and emerging environmental norms. AI, automation, and the human equation Even as Indian suppliers automate and digitise, workforce anxiety remains real. 'AI is disruptive. It's coming in fast,' says Marwah. 'But that doesn't mean we're replacing people. It means we're changing the kind of work they do.' She adds that traditional manufacturing is not disappearing. It's expanding. 'As scale increases, traditional production will still have a major role. Automation will work alongside, not instead of, human capital. The pie is growing.' India's domestic vehicle production supports this view. As per ACMA's report, the country's vehicle production and aftermarket sales grew robustly in FY24, even amid external volatility. The auto component sector saw 9.6 per cent growth, reaching ₹5.6 lakh crore, despite softened exports and rare earth shortages. Digitisation vs sustainability? Shradha is clear that while automation may support sustainability, but it doesn't define it. 'You're just playing with words there,' she says. 'Sustainability is a much larger journey. It starts from how you design the product, what materials you use, and then how you manufacture it.' For smaller players outside the direct supply chain grid, Marwah admits it's harder. 'When pipelines aren't clear and visibility is low, it's difficult to prioritise sustainability. But many RFQs now include sustainability clauses. So Tier 1s are having to handhold their Tier 2s. The entire value chain is aligning.' The ACMA report highlights that ESG-readiness, compliance mapping, and traceability are now demanded not just by global OEMs but also by domestic partners aspiring for export-grade standards. 'Sustainability, green materials, clean processes, everything is changing. And the skills needed to work with these new materials are changing too,' she says. 'Investment will follow scale, not noise' With the ongoing debate on EVs, hydrogen, ethanol and ICE, some suppliers remain uncertain where to place their bets. Marwah advises pragmatism. 'The PV market was about 4 million units. It's going to grow to 7 million. Out of that, EVs and alternate fuels will be around 1 million. That still means traditional platforms will grow from 4 to 6 million. So don't get confused. Investment decisions will follow scale, not buzz.' This clarity, she believes, will help lower-tier suppliers make informed decisions. 'Don't chase headlines. Follow the data,' she urges. The past year tested the sector's resilience, zero rare earth magnet imports since April, rerouted logistics that doubled lead times, and trade uncertainties. 'We usually don't pull the plug on investments unless there's a COVID-like disruption,' Marwah points out. 'The domestic industry is doubling. So, scale must happen. And the industry is investing in advance.' Still, she stresses that uncertainty will remain a constant. 'There are FTAs on one hand and tariffs on the other. What's in our control? Our people, our plants, our processes. That's where transformation must begin.' Rather than dictate direction, ACMA sees itself as an enabler. 'Every organisation must define its own roadmap. Our job is to provide the platform, for awareness, for training, for any skill required in this transition,' says Marwah. 'The opportunity is there. But we must keep pace. Reskill, digitise, go green, but do it together. That's how India's auto component industry will truly lead," she concludes.
The Print
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Jangpura BJP MLA wants all Delhi landmarks painted saffron—from Red Fort & Qutub Minar to Secretariat
He said saffron is a great and the best colour. 'From the Humayun's Tomb and the Red Fort to the Qutub Minar and Delhi markets, we will paint them all saffron. The boundary wall of the Vidhan Sabha and the Secretariat wall will also be painted saffron.' 'It is our government, we will do whatever colour we like. Saffron is the colour of mahapurush (great men). We will paint government buildings saffron and will also install saffron flags along with the tricolour,' Marwah told ThePrint Friday. New Delhi: BJP MLA from Jangpura Tarvinder Singh Marwah has said he would launch a campaign to paint in saffron all national monuments in Delhi including the Qutub Minar, Red Fort and Humayun Tomb, and landmark government buildings such as the Secretariat and Vidhan Sabha. The 64-year-old leader said he will bring a proposal in the Vidhan Sabha to effectuate this and make a demand from Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. 'I will raise the issue in the assembly for buildings under the Delhi government and will meet Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for the buildings of the central government.' 'Saffron is the colour of God. We want all the buildings in Delhi, including shops, to be painted saffron,' he told ThePrint, adding that in the coming time the whole city will become Ram-maya (drenched in the colour of Lord Ram). Marwah, who was with the Congress before switching to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2022, said the campaign to paint the buildings saffron is related to faith. 'This is my personal campaign. My party has no role in this,' he said. Also Read: As BJP leaders share meme of Trump in saffron kurta, VHP hopes Hindus worldwide will be safer under him Closure of meat, liquor shops Marwah has also written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting him to order the closure of all liquor and meat shops along the Kanwar Yatra route in the city. The Kanwar yatra begins from 11 July. The BJP legislator, a member of the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee, said the shutting of meat and liquor shops is necessary to uphold the sanctity of the annual pilgrimage. 'We appeal that meat and liquor shops on the designated routes of the Kanwar Yatra are temporarily shut so that its sanctity is maintained and there are no untoward incidents,' reads his letter. ThePrint has seen the copy of the letter. Marwah also wrote to the CM last month for shutting down meat and liquor shops along the Kanwar route. Meanwhile, reviewing the preparation for the Kanwar Yatra, Culture and Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra said Wednesday the Delhi government has decided to shut meat shops on the Kanwar route. 'The decision on meat shops is a decision of the Delhi government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). It has been decided that they will remain shut,' Mishra told the media. But on Thursday, the MCD said there is no provision to shut shops on Kanwar Yatra under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Saffron fever, growing heft of Ranes & BJP's plan to tackle Sena. Inside story of restive Konkan
Economic Times
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Economic Times
National plan for key materials needed to secure EV future: Auto parts makers
Indian auto parts manufacturers are urging the government to develop a national strategy for critical materials, particularly rare earth magnets, essential for electric vehicle production. This call to action comes in response to China's export restrictions, which have disrupted global supply chains. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads New Delhi: Auto parts makers are urging the Centre for a national strategy on critical materials to secure the future of automobile manufacturing in the country including electric vehicles . This follows China restricting exports of rare earths, disrupting global supply chains at industries reliant on rare earth magnets like Suri Marwah, president, Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) said while auto parts makers are continuing to invest in value addition, technology upgradation, and localisation to align with evolving customer needs and global supply chain dynamics, the shortage of rare earth magnets is proving to be a challenge."The limited availability of rare earth magnets is a concern, underscoring the need for national strategy on critical materials to secure EV's future and mobility manufacturing in India," said Marwah, also MD of auto parts maker Subros She said India has adequate raw materials for making rare earth magnets and can attain self-sufficiency if processing centres are set up. "The industry is agile and has also started working on alternate solutions," she geopolitical and supply chain challenges globally, Marwah said the Indian auto parts industry clocked a 10% increase in revenues at $80.2 billion in FY25. The industry, in fact, grew at 14% compounded annually between FY20 and FY25, nearly doubling in size in five years. "FY25 was yet another milestone year where the industry's growth was underpinned by strong domestic demand, rising exports and increasing value addition," said Marwah, adding that as India transitions towards new-age mobility, the industry is making the necessary strides in investments, technology and localisation to serve both domestic and global markets exports rose by 8% to $22.9 billion last fiscal, imports went up at a slower 7.3% to $22.4 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $453 million. The trade surplus improved from $300 million in Mehta, director general, ACMA said, "This increase in trade surplus indicates India's growing manufacturing competitiveness in the global market and localisation initiatives."
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
National plan for key materials needed to secure EV future: Auto parts makers
EV calculator How much will I save if I choose an electric vehicle? SELECT vehicle type Calculate Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel New Delhi: Auto parts makers are urging the Centre for a national strategy on critical materials to secure the future of automobile manufacturing in the country including electric vehicles . This follows China restricting exports of rare earths, disrupting global supply chains at industries reliant on rare earth magnets like Suri Marwah, president, Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) said while auto parts makers are continuing to invest in value addition, technology upgradation, and localisation to align with evolving customer needs and global supply chain dynamics, the shortage of rare earth magnets is proving to be a challenge."The limited availability of rare earth magnets is a concern, underscoring the need for national strategy on critical materials to secure EV's future and mobility manufacturing in India," said Marwah, also MD of auto parts maker Subros She said India has adequate raw materials for making rare earth magnets and can attain self-sufficiency if processing centres are set up. "The industry is agile and has also started working on alternate solutions," she geopolitical and supply chain challenges globally, Marwah said the Indian auto parts industry clocked a 10% increase in revenues at $80.2 billion in FY25. The industry, in fact, grew at 14% compounded annually between FY20 and FY25, nearly doubling in size in five years. "FY25 was yet another milestone year where the industry's growth was underpinned by strong domestic demand, rising exports and increasing value addition," said Marwah, adding that as India transitions towards new-age mobility, the industry is making the necessary strides in investments, technology and localisation to serve both domestic and global markets exports rose by 8% to $22.9 billion last fiscal, imports went up at a slower 7.3% to $22.4 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $453 million. The trade surplus improved from $300 million in Mehta, director general, ACMA said, "This increase in trade surplus indicates India's growing manufacturing competitiveness in the global market and localisation initiatives."
