TCL shuffles management

NEW DELHI: Chinese electronics major TCL has rejigged its top management structure in India. The Chinese electronics major has elevated its head of sales and marketing Chandramani Singh as the new president and CEO of Indian operations. The existing head of operations Richie Liu Hongqi, a Chinese expat becomes chairman of TCL India.

The Indian operations will now report directly to headquarters in Hong Kong instead of going through the emerging markets division. The reorganisation follows the recent India visit of the global chairman of TCL.

Mr Singh had quit as the head of consumer electronics business of LG Electronics India last year to join TCL as the head of sales. He was given the additional responsibility of marketing early this year when another senior executive AG Krishna resigned. The company is now in the process of appointing a new head of marketing.

In addition TCL has restructured its India business under three wings— Home Appliance, Consumer Electronics and ACs. Earlier there were just two divisions— CTVs and ACs.

Each of the divisions will have separate product heads, a structure which is similar to some other multiproduct consumer durable companies in India. For instance in home appliances, there will be separate heads for microwaves, small home appliances and washing machines.

In the case of consumer electronics, there would be three heads for high end flat panel displays, audio and CTVs. The AC business would also have three heads for split ACs, window ACs and for commercial airconditioners.

TCL, which is aiming to end 2006 calendar year with sales of Rs 500 crore against Rs 300 crore last year, is also exploring introduction of other consumer durable products in India soon.