TCL appoints Chandramani Singh as director Asia Pacific

NEW DELHI: In what is probably the first instance of a Chinese company elevating its India head to an international position, consumer electronics major TCL has appointed its president for India Chandramani Singh as the director (Asia Pacific). Now, he would also be overseeing TCL’s emerging markets in the region including Australia, Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia apart from India.

The country heads of these other markets in Asia Pacific who are all expatriate Chinese managers, would report to Mr Singh with respect to all product and marketing related strategies.

In addition, Mr Singh who has been till date reporting to the managing director of TCL’s Indian operations would now directly report to TCL’s global president who in turn heads the company’s international operations oversees the Chinese multinationals international operations.

In a press statement TCL Corporation’s president, Chen Wi Dong, said, "The Asia Pacific region is of strategic importance to us. After thorough analysis, we feel that this change in the senior management will help us speed decision and focus on key strategic issues, to expand our operations in emerging markets and strengthen our presence globally."

While western multinational companies have been promoting their top executives in India with a senior regional or global role, Asian MNCs have been lagging behind. Moreover, Chinese multinationals establishing their own companies in India is a more recent phenomena. TCL which relaunched in India in 2004 had roped in Chandramani Singh from LG Electronics India two years back. TCL is generating revenues in the region of Rs 300 crore in India.