The Rs 220-crore Usha Shriram Ltd, plans to enter the LED lighting products segment. It proposes to import such lighting products from Europe and market them under its own brandname.

Usha Shriram's mission is to position its LED portfolio in the consumer segment and launch them at more compelling rates than the compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) range. LED lighting products are more energy efficient than CFL items.

Usha Shriram assistant vice president S. S. Sandhu said LED lighting products will be launched in 2009-10. They are studying the market and talking to LED lighting product makers across Europe to import and market them under their brandname.

Mr Sandhu noted LED products are largely used in the commercial segment. But they plan to price them in a manner to position them as an alternative to CFL.

The LED lighting product market is still at a nascent stage in India. As per industry estimates, its share is some 2-3% in the Rs 5,000 crore Indian lighting industry. Usha Shriram entered the lighting business two years ago as a future growth driver with CFL products. The company's primary revenue source is still small appliances like water purifier, juicer, mixer and water heaters.