Cartridge World may set up R&D unit in Mumbai

KOLKATA: Australia-based Cartridge World, refillers of used printer cartridges, has decided to set up its Asian R&D hub in India. The $350-million company will use the local facility to research into the latest refilling processes and technology to suit the requirements of new-age printers and cartridges.

The R&D hub is likely to come up in Mumbai. “We want to utilise the huge pool of technical manpower in India. Hence, we have decided to set up the Asian R&D facility in India. We are reviewing the investment plan for this centre,” Cartridge World managing director (APAC, Middle East & South Africa) Mike Fuller said.

Cartridge World is one of the world’s largest retailer of cartridge refilling and recycling services and operates through a global network of 1,572 stores under the franchisee model. The company currently has global R&D centres in Australia, the US, Germany and the UK.

“OEM players like Hewlett-Packard launch a new printer and cartridge every week. We need to customise our technology accordingly to effectively refill those cartridges. The Indian R&D centre will focus on development of such specific processes for the company,” said Mr Fuller.

The company operates 13 stores across India and intends to launch 50 more by March 2008. “By 2010, we plan to have a network of 250 stores in India to corner around 7-8% market share. The Indian revenues should be in excess of Rs 350 crore,” said Cartridge World CEO (South Asia) Naveen Rakhecha.

The domestic cartridge market is currently estimated at about Rs 2,500 crore, growing at 30% annually. In India, OEMs control about 60% of the cartridge market with some 15% by the unorganised refillers.

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