Prolite Autoglo The Guiding Light

The importance of Emergency Lighting Systems is not realised till an emergency arises or a mishap strikes. It’s a crucial resource in rescue operations and in safeguarding people’s lives. The National Building Code makes it mandatory to install Emergency Lighting System in high-rise and all commercial buildings. In India, till recently it was considered an unnecessary investment but given the increasing awareness, companies and individuals have started incorporating it in their premises. Mr. Harsha Joshi, C.E.O. of Prolite Autoglo Limited, gives more information about the future of Emergency Lighting Systems in India, his plans and vision.

Mr. Harsha Joshi,
C.E.O Prolite Autoglo Limited

How has India’s emergency lighting system evolved during the last one decade?

Emergency lighting system has always been an integral part of residential, commercial and industrial lives. It’s followed all across the world and has played crucial role in safeguarding human lives and property, to the centre stage and resulted in changing people’s outlook towards safety norms. In India, there have been changes in the perception towards emrgency lighting system. As more and more multinational companies are opening their shop in India and a good number of international brands coming in, the emergency lighting system has made inroad into the Indian market. Even domestic market is realising the importance of emergency lighting system.

What potential do emergency lighting system have in India?

In India, the potential is huge, especially when India’s economy is growing and new industrial and commercial buildings are being set up in large numbers. According to National Building Code, installation of Emergency Lighting System is mandatory. There is already a law about it and the government needs to make sure it’s implemented in letter and spirit.

How has Indian market been responding to innovations in the emergency lighting system?

Innovations are always welcomed if it serves the required purpose. Emergency Lighting System is crucial because it’s a matter of people’s lives and need to be reinvented to serve definite purpose. We are the market leader in the segment and have made sure that our clients get the latest technology. We come out with new models every two years. We create market for our products as we know our clients interests best.

When compared globally, where does India stand in terms of adopting new technologies in lighting system?

We are at par with the rest of the world. Our products meet all the international norms and follow the approved safety standards. The only exception to this is Europe, which is, if spoken qualitatively, two years ahead of India. European companies invest in R & D appropriately to remain ahead of the race. They are always more innovative. They thought of Centralised Emergency Lighting System much ahead of the rest of the world.

Do you think Indian companies invest adequately in R & D to upgrade their products?

We give special emphasis to R & D because Emergency Lighting System is all about technology. In order to excel one has to continuously look for better products. We invest approximately 6-7% of our budget into R & D. We believe in coming out with new innovative products rather than copying the existing products. If you thing copying a technology helps then look at China which has been doing this for the last few decades. It can make products in volume but not qualify products. To come out with a new product, it has to be thought out much in advance and knowledge has to be acquired to do the same.

What measures have you been taking to comply with international standards in terms of quality?

We have adopted latest technology to test our products and we stick to international standards when it comes to quality. The testing of our products are the best. We have been following the NBC norms which are qualitatively higher than any international standard. It’s better than the standards of the UAE. The government needs to make sure that the law is followed in its true spirit.

Today’s product- orented clients want to customise their products as per their needs. What facilities do you provide to meet their requirements?

We give a fairly good amount of leverage to customers to come out with their needs, but not at the cost of safety norms. A customer can demand a change in the design but only as long as it doesn’t effect the main features of our products. In fact we tell our customers that we are the best in the field and we know what’s good for you.

You are also in the field of consultancy services, which type of services do you provide?

We provide designing, lay out and installation of Emergency Lighting System. Our customers give us the drawing of their office and we come out with the planning and implementation of emergency lighting system.

Who are your role models in business?

I would say, Tata’s are my role models. They have not only turned their business into successful models but have inspired a whole generation of entrepreneurs. They have ethical work culture with equal concern for people and environment. The Group has feelings, a human heart and they are into a lot of charity work.