Fuji Electric India’s CEO on Powering Growth through Japanese Excellence

In an exclusive interview with TimesTech, Mr. ShivaJi Waghmare, CEO of Fuji Electric India, delves into the company’s unwavering commitment to Japanese technology and quality, its focus on continuous R&D, and the impact of strategic acquisitions. He also discusses the extensive customer service network and the ambitious “Fuji Electric 2.0 plan for India,” shedding light on the company’s vision to become a leading global player in the power electronics industry.

Read the full interview here:

TimesTech: How does Fuji Electric India’s commitment to Japanese technology and quality drive growth in key sectors?

Mr. ShivaJi: Fuji Electric India is a 100% subsidiary of Fuji Electric Group which has the unshaken trust of customers and in the industry for more than 100 years. Fuji Electric has been operating in India since 1985 and the reason we are growing by leaps and bounds is because we are committed to Japanese technology and quality and we go all out to meet up expectations. Our reliable, innovative and trustworthy solutions powered by Japanese technology has positioned us as a leading energy, instrumentation and automation company. We make the most of the Japanese technological advancements, enabling the development of state-of-the-art solutions tailored to the needs of the specific sectors.

TimesTech: Could you discuss Fuji Electric India’s focus on continuous R&D and how it contributes to product and process improvements?

Mr. ShivaJi: Our innovative and cutting-edge Energy and Automation solutions are the result of our strong R&D, along with technology transfer from Japan. Our R & D centres are informed about market information and also, about the customers’ expectations and this plays a role in the product design and outcome. Our R & D centres located in Chennai and Pune are continuously engaged in developing products that address customer challenges specific to Indian conditions. While the centre at Pune is involved in the development of Online UPS, solar inverters, active harmonic filters, and Servo Voltage stabilizers, the automation division’s R & D centre in Chennai is involved in developing embedded firmware for AC drives for the Indian environment and applications. Experts from Japan are stationed in India for joint product development and to train Indian engineers.

TimesTech: What impact has the acquisition of Consul Neowatt power solutions had on Fuji Electric India’s position in the Indian market and its product offerings?

Mr. ShivaJi: Fuji Electric India was gained more foothold in India through the acquisition of Consul Neowatt power solutions. That step was central to Fuji Electric’s growth plan in India, as Consul Neowatt was the largest Indian UPS company at that point in time.  Through the acquisition, Fuji Electric India now has a nationwide presence with over 1,000 employees servicing customers across all industry verticals.

TimesTech: How does Fuji Electric India’s extensive network of sales offices and a round-the-clock call centre enhance customer service?

Mr. ShivaJi: Excellent customer service is the backbone of any business. We pay as much attention to customer service as we do to other departments.  We have more than 400 service engineers servicing from more than 80 service locations. There are more than 18 sales offices across India. This is undoubtedly one of our biggest strengths. We prioritise customer support and service throughout the entire lifecycle of our solutions. Our on-time and efficient after sales support, including technical assistance, maintenance and spare parts availability has won us appreciations from stakeholders. Customers bank on Fuji Electric India, not just for our high-quality products but also for excellent service.

TimesTech: What are the key strategies and goals outlined in the “Fuji Electric 2.0 plan for India”?

Mr. ShivaJi: In short, it is expansion. In March 2023, we inaugurated a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chennai at a cost of Rs 150 crore to meet the ever-increasing demand not just in India, but across the globe. We are working rigorously to become a Rs 1500 crore company by end of 2024. We plan to invest further in India and also strengthen our manufacturing capabilities to serve our Indian and global customers. 

TimesTech: As the CEO, what initiatives are you implementing to propel Fuji Electric India toward becoming a top global player in the power electronics business?

Mr. ShivaJi: We have a powered team in place which is working to realise our dream targets. We are charting our growth journey of over 25 per cent in India by increasing investments, expanding facilities, empowering manpower and reaching out to more customers. We are open to collaborations with companies that share our vision for the sector.