Xylem Inc. bets big on India

American water solutions company Xylem Inc. has zeroed in on India as its fastest growing market in the next three years even as it readies the country to be an export hub by localising production. Xylem is considering adding another factory in the country that will localise its water treatment capabilities. Patrick K. Decker, CEO, Xylem, said: “Currently, the China-India combine represent less than 10 per cent of our total revenue... but in terms of growth rate, in the course of next three to five years, India is expected to be our fastest growing market.” Decker also said that even though its strategy of acquiring companies in the clean water and wastewater side is 90 per cent complete, it may look at larger scale mergers and acquisitions in the industrial water management side. But before considering acquisitions, Xylem would look at scaling its projects and bidding pipeline that has already been growing at a high double-digit rate. Through its engagement with local as well as global NGOs, it wants to position itself also in a socially relevant manner by penetrating related areas like sanitation and supplying treated water to people in villages. Apart from setting 25 water towers a year in India's remote villages, the company now wants to play a part in tackling floods that have wrecked the southern state of Kerala.