DURABLE AND CHEAP - KONKA

CHINESE cuisine is loved and relished by almost everyone, and Chinese gadgets have taken over the world. It costs a great deal less than other brands and therein lies the major attraction, prompting people to give those a second glance if not buy it altogether. Chinese products have dominated the world market, challenging huge brands in various sectors. And one such Chinese brand that has made its own niche in the Nepali market and homes is the electronic brand Konka.

SPREADING ROOTS AND BRANCHES Established in 1980, the Konka Group is China's first Sinoforeign joint consumer electronics enterprise, manufacturing and distributing its own brand of products. The company was reconstructed into a Sino-foreign public sharehold company in the August, 1991 and A-share and B-share were listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

Today it has five major manufacturing plants in the northwest, south, east and south-west of China and has already established production bases in India, Indonesia, Mexico and recently in Turkey . At the Las Vegas International Consumer Electronic Fair in January 2000 Konka won the award for Innovation.

DOMINANT PLAYER In Nepal, Konka products are imported by Saurabh Photo International, which is one of the umbrella companies of the Shanker Group. Starting with the TV line of products like CRTs and LCDs, they started their distribution business in 2000. All the electronic goods and appliances are brought directly from China.

"Before we came into the market, only popular international brands were available and they had the market in their palms. Then we came with our cheaper but durable prod ucts, and it was more of a shock to the purchasers," said Sanjit Raj Joshi, Manager, Sales and Marketing of Konka.

Currently they have 60 autho rised dealers in Nepal from which 40 other sub-dealers distribute Konka products all over Nepal.

"We can proudly say that when our products entered the Nepali market, it changed the stereotypical misconcep tion of the quality of Chinese products and people started to have faith in Chinese brands too," said Joshi.

RANGE OF PRODUCTS In their product line, they have TVs, mobile phones, re- frigerators, washing machines, air conditioners and even DVD players. After the range of CRTs, LCDs, plasmas and projection, they are also planning to bring in the latest LED models in the market.

"These LED sets are much expensive than the regular ones which is the main concern for us right now, but we will bring in the products soon enough," said Joshi.

The distribution of Konka refrigerator was ceased for the past few years but have recently restarted distribution by bringing in new models from capacities of 100 litres to 300 litres.

CHEAP AND BEST Konka products as compared to other brands are cheaper with warranty for each product. "We are the only Chinese brand that offers warranty on all of our products with free service and maintenance charges," said Joshi.

In LCDs, they have from 22-42 inches sets with a year of full warranty and they will also change the picture tube for free if it is found to be damaged. "If you have to buy the picture tubes it will cost you more than 50 per cent of the set price," said Joshi.

The price range for CRT sets starts from Rs 7,990-37,000 and in LCD it starts from Rs 32,500 95,000. "This price range is 20 per cent lesser than the other brands' and they rarely give any problem," claimed Joshi.

TACKLING DUPLICITY Fake products' business has not even spared Konka prod ucts in the market. "Duplicate products available in the mar ket with our brand names simi lar to ours have become the biggest business leakage for us," said Joshi. "We have appealed to policy makers but have not found a solution for the problem," said Joshi.

He advises to be sure that you are buying genuine Konka product, you should check that it has the real seal with the brand logo along with the war ranty card.

So, if you are looking for a durable but cheaper electronic good to complete your house hold necessities , you know which brand to opt for.