How has the national or even international supply chain and manpower been affected by repeated lockdowns?
The severe restrictions on commercial activities to manage the spread of Covid-19 has severely affected national and international supply chains from all perspectives- raw material, manpower and product delivery. India depends on foreign countries for importing many TV components, especially panels. With the lockdown, as the supply chain is affected, availability of raw materials reduces and hence the price of raw materials is increasing. This is not sustainable for India unless we invest in manufacturing of raw materials internally. There is reverse migration from cities to villages, reducing available labour and manpower to operate factories. While the demand for TVs is recovering from last year’s slump, customer delivery is affected during lockdowns as TVs do not fall under essential commodities.
What solutions have been adopted by Kodak TV to cope with this situation?
We are following strict sanitization and safety protocols in our factories, so that our workers continue to be safe, and the products reaching the customer adhere to WHO safety standards.
How has Kodak TV been affected due to lockdown?
Last year, in 2020-21, the entire industry saw a recession. March 2021 was a relatively better month vis a vis previous months, which reassured some growth but with the lockdowns since April 2021, we have seen a slowdown again.
How do you see Atmanirbhar Bharat providing the required stimulus (fiscal and otherwise) for the manufacturing industry?
One of the major push / boost with Atmanirbhar Bharat would be production of open cell panels within India. The Production linked incentives (PLIs) on incremental sales of electronics is also a good incentive.
Projection of third wave has been made, what future preparations is Kodak TV taking to deal with this?
We have enough TVs to meet demand of customers, as they see TVs as a complete work-from-home and learn-from-home experience. They are demanding the best features at affordable prices, and Kodak meets their requirements. We will continue to operate, following all government protocols. Our only request is that TVs should be included in necessary items so that their supply to customers continues.