Blue Star unveils new range of air conditioners

According to the Blue Star, the AC manufacturer is experiencing demand from the first-time buyers, especially in the Tier 2, 3 and 4 markets, as well as the replacement market as the market for room ACs is witnessing significant demand owing to burgeoning middle-class consumers with higher disposable incomes and the category becoming more of a necessity than a luxury.

To cater to the growing demand, Blue Star has uncovered a slew of products, leveraging its manufacturing, research and development and innovation capabilities to roll out new ACs.

Blue Star has launched three categories in the inverter split AC segment -- flagship, premium and affordable ranges -- in 2-star, 3-star, and 5-star variants, which are available in various cooling capacities from 0.8 TR to 2.2 TR at prices starting from Rs 29,990.

The new range of ACs launched are embedded with various features, including AI Pro, turbo cool, convertible 6-in-1, Nano BluProtect Technology and Hydrophilic 'Blue Fin' coating, for both IDUs and ODUs.

The newly launched flagship range comprises super energy-efficient ACs, heavy-duty ACs, smart wi-fi ACs, hot and cold ACs and ACs with anti-virus technology.

With the newly launched products, the company is providing a lifetime warranty on the inverter compressor, a five-year warranty on the PCBs, and easy financing options.

Speaking on the occasion, Blue Star Limited's Managing Director B Thiagarajan said the company is currently holding a market share of 13.75 percent in the Room Air Conditioning segment and the AC maker has a target to make in 15 percent by FY26.

Thiagarajan said that Blue Star has set up a 'state-of-the-art' manufacturing unit in Sri City in Andhra Pradesh, which commenced commercial production in January last year.

"Blue Star's two plants in Himachal Pradesh, which are equipped with the latest automation techniques and tools for assembly lines and material handling, are dedicated to manufacturing room ACs," he added.

The MD said, "Our company now has a production capacity of 1.2 million room ACs, which will gradually scale up to 1.8 million ACs in due course."

Blue Star's MD added that Indian cricketer Virat Kohli will continue to be the 80-year-old company's brand ambassador.

He said that the company will be releasing new TVCs featuring Virat Kohli in March as it plans to invest over Rs 40 crore in the advertising during the summer season.

Talking on future aspects, B Thiagarajan said, "The market of room ACs is at its inflection point and is poised to grow exponentially over the next few years, and the industry estimates reckon that the market will more than double by 2030."

"Blue Star continues to make significant investment in research and development, manufacturing as well as supply chain to enhance competencies and capabilities to leverage the growing demand effectively," he said.

"We anticipate the forthcoming summer season to be strong and expect the demand for room air conditioners to be robust," Thiagarajan added.

During the launch programme in Kolkata, he said that Blue Star has no plans to set up any manufacturing unit in West Bengal in the next three years.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha/Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)