PL Ltd announced an equal equity partnership with SANYO Electric Company last month, formally cementing its 12-year-old association with the Japanese company. Under the agreement, BPL will transfer its existing colour television business undertaking, constituting the BPL brand for colour television (CTV) business, manufacturing, sales, service, marketing and distribution infrastructure, to this joint venture (JV). "The mandate for the joint venture company," says Ajit Nambiar, chairman and managing director, BPL Ltd, "is to regain leadership in colour television business within three years."

The reason why BPL is keen on the JV becomes apparent when one looks at its performance in the CTV market. ... more