Philips conducted in-depth research to understand the on-the-ground requirements in India and worked closely with healthcare partners to gain better insight into their ‘Made in India' needs. This research indicated that several factors, including low operating costs, energy-efficiency, easy serviceability and support for high patient volumes, are critical to increasing healthcare access in India and thereby improving patient outcomes. The Pune facility will deliver this type of ‘Designed for India' product, enabling healthcare providers in the country to provide care to those communities who have not had access to high-quality healthcare in the past.

"India and other growth geographies have unique needs," said Mr Krishna Kumar, president, Philips Healthcare India. "We must meet the criteria that healthcare professionals demand in these growing markets, such as durability, dealing with interrupted power supplies, limited radiology technician time per patient, fast and easy-to-read diagnostic output, and affordability. Our ‘Designed and Made' in India products tick all these boxes."

In 2008, Philips initiated the expansion of its industrial and commercial footprint in India with the acquisition of Alpha X-ray Technologies and Meditronics, leading manufacturers of cardiovascular X-ray solutions and general X-ray systems, respectively. This enabled Philips to expand its portfolio and deliver lower cost products that meet the growing needs of customers in India and other global markets.