In this conversation, Imran Kagalwala shares how India’s rapidly evolving manufacturing ecosystem and tech-savvy consumer base are shaping innovation in mobile accessories and wearables. Speaking with journalist Vaishali Umredkar, he highlights UNIX’s growth trajectory, in-house manufacturing strengths, and the opportunities and challenges of scaling competitively in India’s dynamic electronics market.
How has India’s manufacturing ecosystem evolved in recent years, and what advantages does it offer to companies like UNIX?
India’s manufacturing ecosystem has significantly matured over the past few years, especially with the push towards ‘Make in India’ and the introduction of the PLI schemes. The infrastructure, access to skilled labor, and government support have improved dramatically. For a homegrown brand like UNIX, this evolution has enabled us to scale up quickly, maintain cost efficiencies, and ensure faster go-to-market cycles—all while keeping quality at the forefront.
How are Indian consumers’ preferences shifting when it comes to mobile accessories like charging solutions and smart wearables?
Indian consumers are becoming increasingly tech-savvy and brand-conscious. There’s a rising demand for fast-charging solutions, multi-functional power banks, and stylish yet durable accessories. Smart wearables, especially neckbands and TWS, are gaining popularity as people embrace fitness and digital lifestyles. At UNIX, we constantly innovate our offerings based on real-time consumer feedback and trends.
With the increasing adoption of smart devices, how is UNIX responding to the growing demand for innovation and compatibility?
We’re deeply focused on product innovation—be it in terms of design, charging speed, or universal compatibility. For instance, our UX-1519 Power Bank and Z4 BLOOM TWS were designed keeping in mind the evolving user needs for portability, performance, and aesthetic appeal. Our R&D and design teams work closely with the market to ensure each product not only meets but exceeds user expectations.
Could you share insights into UNIX’s YoY growth trajectory over the past 2–3 years?
UNIX has consistently recorded double-digit YoY growth over the past few years. This steady rise is a reflection of our strong product-market fit, expanding retail presence, and growing consumer trust in our brand. With increasing penetration across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, combined with innovation-led offerings, we’ve been able to scale sustainably while staying competitive.
Your manufacturing facility is impressive in both scale and efficiency. How have your in-house capabilities contributed to cost competitiveness and product quality?
Having in-house capabilities gives us tight control over every aspect of production—from design to final packaging. This helps us reduce dependencies, optimize costs, and ensure strict quality checks at every stage. Our facility, with a daily capacity of 35,000 data cables and 25,000 chargers, allows us to meet market demand without compromising on standards.
What are some of the biggest advantages—and challenges—you face while manufacturing at scale within India?
The biggest advantage is agility. Being based in India allows us to respond swiftly to market dynamics and customer demands. We also benefit from local talent and a growing ecosystem of component suppliers. On the flip side, logistics and raw material dependencies—especially for certain electronic components—can pose challenges. However, we’re actively working on building deeper local sourcing partnerships to reduce such risks.