Micromax becomes 12th largest handset brand

 BANGALORE, INDIA: Micromax Informatics Limited, the third largest mobile brand in India, on Monday said that it has achieved the status as world’s 12th largest handset manufacturer with 1 per cent market share globally, the company said quoting Global Handset Vendor Market share report from Strategy Analytics for Q2 201A company release said Micromax topped the micro vendor rankings, shipping an impressive 4.0 million handsets worldwide in Q2 2011. As per the report, Micromax commands an 8 pc share in its home market India, making the brand ranked third behind Nokia and Samsung in terms of volumes. Micromax grew 48 pc annually, leveraging its growing brand awareness, distribution reach, faster time-to-market and a diverse product portfolio.

With the elevation in its status, the company has claimed to have also become larger than all Japanese brands, including such famous names as Sharp and NEC. Micromax is ahead of Lenovo (2.6M) and closing the gap on Sony Ericsson (7.6M).

Rahul Sharma Executive Director Micromax Informatics Ltd., said “This trend re-emphasizes the emergence of Micromax as a global mobility device brand and puts us as a competitive player on the global radar of telecommunication industry. The mobile handset market is a dynamic sector which changes with the ever changing needs of the consumers. Our commitment to bring innovative products which are relevant for our evolved customers has put us in a strong position to lead the markets we operate in.”

The report tracks the world's 30 largest handset vendors on a quarterly basis. Also, with the entry of 25 new micro vendors this quarter, the global legitimate handset shipments increased 12 pc annually to reach a record second quarter total of 358 million units in Q2 2011.

According to the company it has a portfolio of more than 60 models today, ranging from feature rich, dual-SIM phones to QWERTY, touch-enabled smart-feature phones and 3G Android smartphones designed for younger consumers in suburban and urban markets.  Micromax, the domestic mobile handset major, on Monday got the green signal to set up a facility in Himachal Pradesh to manufacture solar energy cells, a government official said here.

“A Rs. 630 crore proposal of Micromax Energy Ltd to manufacture solar energy cells was approved by the state-level Single Window Clearance and Monitoring Authority,” Industries Commissioner J.S. Rana told IANS.

He said pharmaceutical major Cipla Ltd was also allowed to set up another unit in the state. “It's planning to invest Rs..270 crore to manufacture pharmaceutical and herbal medicines.”

Micromax and Cipla would provide employment to 615 and 800 people respectively.

Rana said Sun Juices, a subsidiary of a US company, also got approval to set up a unit with an outlay of Rs..51.75 crore for processing fruit and milk.

s-vbs