Air-conditioning firm Blue Star has collaborated with Eureka Forbes, a major player in offering water purification products, to launch a range of water coolers with in-built Aquaguard water purifiers.
Presently, most water coolers have external water purification systems. This method is reported to be having some limitations. The new range of water coolers from the stable of the two reputed firms are targeted at educational institutions, hostels, canteens, factories, hospitals and commercial establishments, among others.
“With growing awareness, standalone storage water coolers will increasingly get replaced with in-built purification systems,” B. Thiagarajan, Executive Director and President, AC & R Products Business, Blue Star, said here on Monday.
The new range comprises four models — three models with UV purification and one with RO purification technology. While UV-based system is aimed at markets with low TDS (total dissolved salts), RO-based purification is meant for high-TDS markets.
The products are offered in the storage capacity between 80 litres and 120 litres and be priced in the range of Rs.66,000 to Rs.88,000. These products will be marketed by both companies through their existing sales network.
A. V. Suresh, President, International Operations and CEO-Forbes Professional, Eureka Forbes, said that the tie-up was part of company’s product diversification strategy to meet consumer demands.
The market for storage water coolers with in-built purification in the country is still in early stage with an estimated size of 11,000 units (about Rs. 90 crore) this fiscal. It is expected to grow to 30,000 units with a total market value of Rs.300 crore by 2018.
