Leaders Speak

Sibabrata Das, Co-Founder, Atomberg

India sees summer temperatures for most of the year. So, fans are a must in any home, business, or industrial setting. However, the fan industry is known for being a low-tech industry, and very little new technology has been adopted or developed over the past four or five decades.

The only changes that we have observed in the past 20 years or so have been in the decorative embellishments or colour tones of this low-interest commodity. But that is no longer the case now. After being seen as a low-tech product, fan motors are now gaining respect, thanks to the introduction of modern BLDC motor technology. All for the good of the nation, the planet, and the customers.

Let me elaborate further by mentioning that more than 7 crore fans are sold each year, adding to an industry valued at more than 10,000 crores and growing at a rate of more than 8-10% yearly. About 65% of these 7 crore fans are ceiling fans, which are energy-guzzlers that require 76 or 85 watts of power for a typical 1200 mm fan sweep. Now that the alternative BLDC (Brush Less Direct Current) motor technology is growing in other applications, energy wastage can be considered a crime.

Furthermore, we’ve noticed that customer preferences are ever-evolving. Over the last ten years, customers have become more aspirational and conscious of energy wastage, pollution, and the distinctive design of home appliances.

Following our graduation from IIT Bombay, we founded Atomberg as an engineering firm to address a variety of consumer issues. The fan industry’s aforementioned results sufficiently inspired us to concentrate on using technology to resolve the many issues of our customers.

Over the past ten years or so, the industry has evolved, the supplier ecosystem has expanded, government policies have changed, and public awareness of BLDC technology and its advantages has increased. These developments have been made possible by the innovative spirit of startup companies like ours & Versadrive along with the drive and participation of the larger incumbents.

With BLDC tech-driven fans, a customer can lower his electricity bill by about 50%, resulting in significant savings! Moreover, it will aid in lowering CO2 emissions, benefitting the ecology as a whole. The BLDC motor not only increases the fan’s energy efficiency but also provides possibilities for improved style and aesthetics. Features like the intelligent & sleek design and the remote control options have become favourites among consumers.

With all these advantages, customers are starting to shift from current fans to BLDC fans. The industry’s compound annual growth rate is currently projected to soar, and 20% of the market has already shifted to fans with BLDC motors.

What’s the future of the Fan Industry?

“Bright” is how the industry gazers describe it, and we think the BLDC share will continue to increase, benefiting not only the consumers with better products but also serving the country and planet Earth.