Anchor launches home automation system — Ties up with British General  ( September '10,2004, HBL)

HOW many times have you reminded your kids to switch off lights and fans? At the work place, how often you see the plea, switch off lights and fans when not in use? No more such worry.

"Home automation makes life simple," says Mr Sashi Nair, President, Anchor Electronics & Electricals Pvt Ltd.

All it takes is a small control panel, about six inches by eight, and every electrical and electronic gadget of any make can be controlled from the comfort of your couch.

Not just to switch on or off, but also to create `scenarios' dim lighting or ideal lighting for reading or writing or party lighting with the music system blaring.

Even the window curtains and projection screens can be motorised to be raised or lowered.

The Woods light control and home-automated system launched here today can do all this and more, says Mr Nair. Anchor hopes to target the commercial segment - business houses and office complexes - first.

But residences are not being left behind, the cost depends on the level of control.

"A minimum of Rs 50,000 or as we have done in one house - Rs 18 lakh," he said. The product is from Anchor Woods, a joint venture between Anchor, Gujarat, and British General, UK. Simultaneously, it is also launching the Woods range of switches that are designed to be an `integral part of the interior décor' rather than just boxy units behind the door, he said.

The range includes monobloc switches, wiring accessories, electronic sensors and anti-intrusion alarms.

The joint venture, in which Anchor holds 76 per cent and British General the balance, envisages an initial outlay of Rs 15 crore.

The scope of the venture is much larger since British General is considering shifting its entire production to India.

"This is not just outsourcing to a cheap manufacturer. The product sold in the UK will be Anchor Wood," according to Mr Nair.

Anchor is among the largest manufacturers of electrical switches and wiring accessories with more than four decades behind it.

With Rs 600 crore turnover, it has a presence in manufacturing and marketing electrical appliances and healthcare products also. British General has been in the business for about seven decades.