Napino Auto bullish on growth, looks to invest in new technologies to drive profit

Napino Auto & Electronics is looking at investing in new technologies and companies with innovative products to get an edge over peers, given the fast-increasing requirements of electronics content in vehicle development. It has recently entered a joint venture with Italian firm, Domino S.r.l for high current and low current switches. With a majority stake in the joint venture, Napino Auto is targeting about Rs 100 crore sales in two years after setting up the plant over next seven to eight months.

It also plans to use Domino’s expertise to introduce quick shifter clutches for two-wheelers. Of course Domino's entire product range is on Napino’s radar, depending on its acceptance in the Indian market.

In fact, Napino Auto is also in talks with another Taiwanese firm to develop a blind spot detection feature for two-wheelers. Though the company refused to divulge details of this joint venture, it is expected to aid its growth through the inorganic route.

Napino is also in the process of supporting few start-ups with equity investment to manufacture technologically advanced products in the Indian market to help establish it as a leading brand in the upcoming EV market and other diversified markets in electrical, electronics and mechatronics space. It believes the growth of EVs will result in significant changes in the Indian automotive industry. Vecmocon Tech, a start-up in battery charging station, both swappable and wall-mounted ones is one of its key focus firms. It has also invested equity in EVI Technologies, another start-up dealing with battery charging stations.

Overall Napino expects these investments to drive its FY2021 sales close to Rs 1400 crores and help maintain profit margin around 9-10 percent for this financial year. The theme for the company’s display this year is ‘Safe, Convenient and Connected Vehicle’ and its range of exhibits is aligned with this. The 150-square-metre stall at Hall No. 11, Stall No. 43 displays a regulator rectifier, capacitor discharge ignitor, electronics control unit (both four- and two-wheelers) clusters, telematics unit, mechatronics switches, handlebar switch assembly, modular switches, solid state automotive lighting, PCB modules of LED, ISG with controller, advance transmission system.