The New York Stock Exchange-listed Fedders Corporation of the US is planning to establish India as a sourcing base for markets such as the US, Middle East among others.

Fedders Corporation group vice-president Daryl Erbs said: "We plan to make India a sourcing base for other parts of the world where Fedders has a presence and for additional new markets."

Erbs was in city to announce the launch of Fedders air-conditioners.

Apart from air-conditioners, Fedders markets air cleaners, dehumidifiers, humidifiers and thermal technology products.

The Indian arm also plans to launch some of these products in the domestic market at a later stage.

The air-conditioning major has re-entered the Indian market and has set up a wholly owned subsidiary in the country. It earlier had an alliance with the Delhi-based Punj group. The company now has a manufacturing joint venture with Voltas.

Erbs said, "With the Indian air-conditioner market expanding at a rate of over 20 per cent a year and market penetration estimated to be under two per cent, it offers Fedders opportunities for growth."

The venture with Voltas has its facility located at Dadra, which has a production capacity of three lakh units and an assembly plant in Himachal Pradesh.

Globally, Fedders has over 10 manufacturing facilities, also with majority of its manufacturing taking place in Asia. It has set up five plants in China.

Being a new entrant in the market, the focus is to establish the Fedders brand in the country, says Fedders International Airconditioning's managing director for India, middle east and Africa, Arvind Mayar.

Advertisement agency Enterprise Nexus is handling the media campaign for the company. Fedders has launched a 1.25 tonne A-C as its entry product optimum for the market.

The company, however, did not divulge the price range for its products.