Jupiter Aqua Lines (JAL), manufacturer of complete bathroom solutions, which recently ventured into the sanitaryware space, is gearing up to expand its retail presence. In an exclusive conversation with Sourcing Hardware, the company’s managing director Vivek Kapoor (zeusmetals@gmail.com) shared the company’s retail expansion plans.
“In the last few months, since we introduced a wide range of sanitaryware, we have been able to make our retail presence in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala besides Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab. As we continue to grow we will focus on strengthening our base in these markets,” informed Kapoor. He added that the company has zeroed upon four states and is keen on increasing its retail footprint.
“As far as the states of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana are concerned we have chalked out our retail expansion plans and we will be focusing on these markets,” Kapoor shared. Detailing the plans, Kapoor said that the company at present has over 1,200 dealers across the country and it would like them to be partners for sanitaryware too. “We are keen to promote our existing bathroom fittings dealers as our channel partners for the sanitaryware range.” However, JAL is on the lookout for new dealers for the sanitaryware range, and is targeting those who are young and dynamic with sound financial baseand goodwill.
Besides encouraging existing dealers and signing up new dealers for the sanitaryware segment, JAL will also build up its chain of exclusive outlets, the JAL Shoppe. “We will come up with 20-25 JAL Shoppes this year, and these will display our sanitaryware range along with other product categories– faucets, flushing systems, bath accessories, etc,” remarked Kapoor.
Talking about the new segment, he said, “We are offering one piece closet and two piece closet with siphonic flush and also with tornado flush.” He explained that the flush mechanism is such that it saves water. Apart from these, other products are wall hung closet, table top wash basin, counter cabinet wash basin, urinals, Orissa pan, etc. “The range of sanitaryware products that we offer comes with 10 year warranty on glazing. They are easy to install, eco-friendly and have germ-free glazing.” Kapoor informed that the warranty on ceramic ware products for residential purposes is 10 years and for commercial purposesit is five years. Similarly the warranty for internal fittings and seat covers for residential is one year while that for commercial is six months.“Aesthetics apart, in all our product offerings we strive to save water.”
On the pricing front, Kapoor shared that the products are competitively priced. “The MRP for our one piece closet is in the range of Rs 10,990 to Rs 20,000 while that for wall hung closet is between Rs 4,718 to Rs 17,000,” he said.
With JAL expanding its product portfolio, its brand prominence too is on the rise. For brand promotion and marketing, the company has been using all media vehicles – TVC, social media, print, digital, etc – and has been actively participating in trade events in India as well as abroad. “We continue to engage with various media vehicles; however we believe that it’s the quality of our product, coupled with designs and the after-sales service that we offer that differentiates us from the rest,” remarked Kapoor. ')}
