STIHL is ‘Globally, the number one selling brand of chainsaws’ and STIHL India is fully owned subsidiary of STIHL Germany Ag & Co KG. STIHL India's Managing Director, Mr Parind Prabhudesai, gave an exclusive interview to Krishi Jagran. Talking about a Global Leader in Chainsaws, STIHL, which is more than a 90-year, old brand, Mr. Parind Prabhudesai spoke about the new product categories offered by STIHL including ‘Farmer Range of products’, which will offer first level of mechanization and will target Indian farmers.
By the launch of “STIHL - Farmer Range of Products” for Indian Farmers, STIHL India will help the farming sector by providing “German Quality and Innovation” into an affordable range that will transform the life of an average Indian farmer. Interestingly, STIHL India is known in for ‘quality of equipment’ and ‘service with its products’ available at exclusive dealers throughout the country.
Q1. STIHL is a global leader in chainsaws. What are the other product categories you are offering in India?
Ans. Chainsaws, no doubt, is our strongest product category. However we have significant presence in the market with wide range of brush cutters, mist blowers, cleaners, hedge trimmers and other handheld power tools. This range allows us to serve sectors like – Forestry, Agriculture, Horticulture, Urban Maintenance, Landscaping and Gardening.
Q2. STIHL offers a big product portfolio. What is your focus product category in 2019?
Ans. Chainsaws are our strength. Thus, forestry continues to play a big part in product mix. We also have our patrons in landscaping & gardening across the nation. In mid of 2018, we launched our new “Farmer Range of products’, offering first level of mechanization. Now with the launch of new affordable farmer range of products, STIHL India brings in “German Quality and Innovation” to transform the life of an average Indian farmer. The farmer range is specifically focused on small and marginal farmers, who look for first level of mechanization for their regular farming needs. The newly launched farmer range consists of Brush cutter, Power-Weeder, Water Pump & Earth Auger. We want to bring smiles on the face of every farmer and emphasize “KRISHI UPKARAN, LAYE PARIVARTAN”. Soon we will add more farmer products, thus widening our offering to this segment.
Q3. Power tillers are well entrenched in INDIA markets (rural), do you still think there is a scope for a product like Power Weeder BC 230?
Ans. Power tiller has higher hp & hence it is used for primary tillage. There has been a gap in the markets where the users didn’t have any reliable, serviceable or professional equipment for secondary tillage which combines the need for weeding. This market gap is now plugged by BC 230, which is turning very fast into a customers’ favorite. We have had very good response & expect it to keep climbing the popularity & satisfaction charts. BC 230 is a 2.1 hp solution to field preparation, being used in soil turning, aerating, inter-cultivating & mulching. It is basically a secondary tillage device which converts leftover clumps into soft soil.
Q4. STIHL is known for premium quality products. How do you ensure you deliver this value to the end customer?
Ans. STIHL is always represented in the market through servicing dealers, we have a pan-India presence of servicing dealers which help us reach out to our customers and provide sales and service support on our behalf. STIHL philosophy is that of Advice-Instruct-Service. We strive to give our customer the best advice which will help in the requirement getting duly closed with proper instruction on how to use the equipment. Lastly, we offer 1-year warranty on all gasoline equipment and this builds a big goodwill between STIHL and its patrons. STIHL has recently opened its 4th regional technical center, warehouse and office, which helps decentralize the servicing setup and provides faster and higher quality of after sales support.
Q5. Having completed 12 years in India, what are the future plans of STIHL for Indian operations?
Ans. India has been continuously gaining prominence in STIHL group. Yes, India is a rich, vibrant and diverse economy in terms of culture, markets, people and challenges. To cater to the ever growing demand for STIHL products, STIHL has decided to invest in new facility at Chakan in Pune. It will represent STIHL’s German persona & will exhibit a ‘state of the art’ technical center along with many other firsts in STIHL’s long list of achievements.
By
Tooba Maher
Sr. Journalist, Krishi Jagran
M: 99998 43592
Email: tooba@krishijagran.com