In a country where fire safety often plays second fiddle to aesthetics and convenience in building design, Prolite Autoglo Ltd. has stood its ground for over four decades, championing the cause of emergency lighting and exit signage. Founded in 1984 by visionary Harsha Joshi, the company has been at the forefront of promoting life-saving solutions when seconds matter most. From pioneering indigenous manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ vision to earning the distinction of being the first BIS and ISO 9001:2015 certified player in its niche, Prolite has redefined what it means to be safe, prepared, and future-ready. In this exclusive interaction, the leadership of Prolite sheds light on its unwavering commitment to innovation, customer-centricity, and its growing global footprint.
Q1. Prolite has been a pioneer in exit and emergency lighting since 1984. What was the driving vision behind starting this venture, and how has it evolved over four decades?
It all began with my father Harsha Joshi’s vision. Prolite Autoglo Ltd. was to script history with Dad’s realization that while construction activity was rampant in Mumbai, as it was elsewhere also, there was no attempt to even consider vital aspects of fire safety and safe exit on the part of our city bosses. Earlier, there were no mandatory norms or rules either about exit safety specifically, yet high rises sprung up like mushrooms. Dad saw the future, in the sense that at that time emergency lights were just meant to restore vision in power failures but not tuned to provide escape route visibility as such. Dad made an aggressive entry with exit safety products. He swam against the tide and the company’s motto ‘We don’t take it lightly’ was a battle cry on behalf of those unfortunates who lost life, limb and property due to fire and blackout mishaps with no escape tools available in crucial moments. Unfortunately, the trend even today, is not very much better, although awareness has certainly grown over the years. Dad was particular about quality control, maintenance and upgradation when it came to our company products. Today, 41 years later, he has been proved spot on and Prolite’s reputation as Bharat’s numero uno exit safety company has been well earned.
Q2. Being the first ISO 9001:2015 certified company in your niche, how does Prolite ensure uncompromising quality and innovation across R&D, manufacturing, and maintenance?
Prolite Autoglo Ltd. specializes primarily in manufacturing emergency lights and Photoluminescent signages that are mandatory in all kinds of enclosed spaces viz. residential and commercial buildings, offices, godowns, factories, high rises, malls and markets. Even airports, railway, bus stations and similar places of public utility require way finding signs, exit lights and other products with 40 years of history behind it, finds pride of place as India’s first BIS Certified Make in India Company. Innovation has also been our strong point. We have also done everything indigenously in the spirit of PM’s ‘Make in India’ vision. Till date, we do not import parts or other things that go into our products but manufacture in house.
Every time you browse news in electronic media or read news in the newspaper, you cannot help notice that some or the other fire accident is happening all the time. Since all fires are not recorded and revealed in the press or media we can safely assume that what we see or read, is the tip of the iceberg. Because the incidents are unconnected, we just gloss over the news unless of course some people die and it creates sensation. More people die in fires than in cyclones, earthquakes, floods, and other natural catastrophes combined but least attention is given to fire risks in our own backyard.
Q3. Prolite has been lauded as the Most Innovative Product Company at the Fire India show. Could you highlight some recent innovations or breakthrough technologies your team has introduced?
Prolite not just manufactures products but also has its in-house consultancy and engineering team working 24×7 to provide end-to-end services. Prolite is also adept in adapting to changing safety standards with time and has worked hard to always be in step with the latest global safety product in its range. Our innovative acumen is what has kept the company ahead at all levels, at all times in a highly challenging and demanding global market. This covers right from surveying the client’s premises and ascertaining the type, size and location of each individual product to installing them correctly and thereafter, providing maintenance and repair services too. Flame-proof lights, infinity light, elegante and conversion module are some pathbreaking innovative products we have manufactured.
Knowledge is wealth no doubt, but knowledge can also save lives. There are millions of unreported cases of house fires, factory fires, blowouts or blasts that have claimed lives because the people on the spot didn’t know the basics of spot response in the crucial seconds. Prolite Autoglo Ltd. has a mission and vision of saving lives which it has demonstrated throughout its existence and today, not just the country but the world is acknowledging and embracing its good work. Today, the NBC mandates the inclusion of exit safety paraphernalia in any type of enclosed structure, small or big, but city planners like architects and builders/developers have neglected to do so sometimes, even in the premises where they dwell or even visit, thereby putting everyone’s lives and belongings at risk. In my opinion, if a CEO or MD or corporate head decides to visit an exhibition related directly or even indirectly, to safety and security they would be well advised to not just take their family along but also the cook, the sweeper, the gardener and the work maid or anyone else who wants to come.
Q5. With a strong presence in over 30 countries, how has the global market responded to Indian-made safety products, and what sets Prolite apart in the international arena?
Prolite not just manufactures products but also has its in-house consultancy and engineering team working 24×7 to provide end-to-end services. Prolite is also adept in adapting to changing safety standards with time and has worked hard to always be in step with the latest global safety product in its range. Dad was particular about quality control, maintenance and upgradation when it came to our company products. That policy keeps us in step with the world always.
We have also done everything indigenously in the spirit of PM’s ‘Make in India’ vision. Till date, we do not import parts or other things that go into our products but manufacture in house. With 40 years of history behind us, we find pride of place as India’s first BIS Certified Make in India Company.
Q6. Smart technology is transforming safety infrastructure. How has Prolite integrated smart features into its product range, such as addressable or remotely monitored systems?
Smart technology, for us, means making things more compact, easy to handle ad updated to newer standards. Our conversion module is one example where it remains invisible and yet converts an existing light into an emergency light when the situation demands. Our Elegane sign is sleek and compact, taking up less space and yet remaining visible from all angles. Our R&D department is constantly on toes in this regard.
Q7. Your in-house manufacturing and testing capabilities are quite impressive. How important is vertical integration in maintaining agility and customer satisfaction in your industry?
Customer satisfaction is the reason where we are today. Prolite is adept in adapting to changing safety standards with time and has worked hard to always be in step with the latest global safety product in its range. Our biggest challenge is from pretenders and inferior cheaper products that are in the market. Awareness on genuine safety product quality and durability is little among the common people and that is a big stumbling block in our segment.
Q8. With increasing urbanization and infrastructure growth in India, what new opportunities and challenges do you foresee for safety lighting solutions?
Changing times have changed the faces of danger too. PROLITE has adapted and ensured we are in step with the latest standards. Our company has won several awards and accolades as best innovative company too. Our team of experts is ever ready to ensure proper maintenance and preservation of our products. Today, we are also winning safety standard awards and permissions from relevant authorities making our products compliant with the latest requirements.
Q9. Prolite has a well-established pan-India service network and 24/7 sales support. How crucial is after-sales service in this industry, especially during emergencies?
We score here, because after sales service has been our strong point. Our clients remain clients for life, so to speak and whenever the need arises, our engineers are on the spot. In emergencies, there is little escape time so products need to remain functional 24×7. Fortunately, our quality consciousness makes frequent visits rare and we have never shied away from this aspect while most others sell and forget.
Q10. Looking ahead, what’s your roadmap for the future of Prolite – in terms of sustainability, digital transformation, and contribution to ‘Make in India’ and safe infrastructure?
Our company is among a rare breed of manufacturers and service providers that deal not so much in products, but on informing and educating people from all classes and levels of society on how each one of them need to install emergency lights and suitable ranges of signages to be safe and secure in their surroundings – whatever be their class, type or nature.