Schneider Electric Infrastructure (SCHNEIDER) CMD 2024 Day2 summary

Strategic priorities and growth in India

• India is the third largest market, with 38,000+ employees and 31 manufacturing sites supporting local and global operations.

• The dual-brand strategy (Schneider Electric and Lauritz Knudsen) enables deep market penetration from metros to rural and tier 2-4 cities, ensuring full geographic and segment coverage.

• Major investments in R&D, with over 6,000 engineers and product innovation tailored for India, such as BlokSeT Lean and the world's first 33kV solar vacuum circuit breaker.

• Transactional business forms 65% of sales, supported by a vast distribution network, three strong brands, and a partner network of 6,000+ distributors and 1 million+ electricians.

• India is positioned as a talent and innovation hub, exporting to 30+ countries and contributing to global R&D and supply chain.

Brand integration and market positioning

• The L&T Switchgear acquisition and transition to Lauritz Knudsen preserved brand trust and market reach, especially in agriculture and MSMEs, while maintaining profitability and growth.

• The two-brand approach allows for differentiated business models: Schneider targets global and digital customers, LK focuses on transactional, rural, and public sector clients.

• High-profile marketing campaigns, including partnerships with cricket and Bollywood, are driving brand awareness and customer engagement for Lauritz Knudsen.

• Luminous is expanding into solar and energy storage, aligning with government programs for 10 million solar homes and leveraging first-mover advantage in lithium-ion inverters.

• Customer testimonials highlight the continuity of trust and support through the brand transition, reinforcing the value of partnership and innovation.

Technology, sustainability, and supply chain transformation

• India is a center for digital transformation, with local R&D adapting global platforms for Indian standards and exporting innovations globally.

• The company is involved in marquee national projects (e.g., Chandrayaan, G20 venues, smart cities), providing end-to-end solutions in energy, infrastructure, and industry.

• Smart factory initiatives and supply chain regionalization have led to 52% energy savings, 61% CO2 reduction, and 91% defect reduction at the Hyderabad Lighthouse factory.

• The supply chain strategy emphasizes resilience, dual sourcing, and regionalization, aiming for 90% region-for-region sourcing and manufacturing.

• Sustainability is embedded across operations, with 86% renewable energy in the supply chain and a commitment to halve supplier emissions by 2025.