Out of the oven, into the refrigerator

Satish NS, President, Haier India defrosts many just-out-and-about trends as he opens the doors for a peek into why and how this consumer appliance major is using AI, IoT, chatbots and wearable tech. It’s about adding relevance as well as distinction for the new digital age. Let’s see this double door model of technology.

- Pratima H

▾ What areas of technology has Haier invested in in the last 2-3 years?

Customer satisfaction lies in the ethos of Haier’s growth trajectory, hence technological advancements and product development go hand in hand. Being the global leader in home appliances and consumer electronics, Haier has showcased future-ready smart homes, AI, IoT-enabled laundry solutions, and new-age technologies such as voice command. Let me cite some of the recent product developments, backed by innovation and customer-centricity. Like: At Haier, we launched the Haier 979 Front Loading Washing Machines with intelligent features such as AI Dynamic Balance System, Anti-Bacterial Technology, PuriSteam, Bionic Magic Filter, and Smart Sense Technology. Also, Haier has recently launched its Kinouchi 5-Star Heavy Duty Pro series of air conditioners in India. Frost Self-Clean Technology, the Smart Convertible Feature, and other intelligent features are included in these air conditioners.

▾ What big changes or challenges did you confront during the pandemic? Many enterprises which pushed the pedal on digital transformation in 2020 and 2021 have not been able to keep them going or scale in 2022. What’s your perspective?

During the pandemic the consumer demand fluctuated resulting in a 10-15 per cent drop in annual sales for consumer durables industry owing to washed-out summer seasons. However, air conditioners and refrigerators saw a surge in sales. Last fiscal year, the industry exceeded the pre-pandemic value mark, and this fiscal year, it will exceed the pre-pandemic volume mark by three per cent. Now the consumer durables industry is expected to grow by double digits, increasing revenue by 15-18 per cent to Rs 1 lakh crore this fiscal.