With 8.51 lakh CTVs sold in 1998-99, an increase of 31.5 per cent over last fiscal's sales, the company said it had retained its numero uno position in the market. The year also saw BPL launching several premium products including CTVs, washing machines, jumbo refrigerators, cooking ranges and audio systems. It also launched a host of futuristic digital products including multimedia PC-TV, Internet set-up box, digital home theatre systems, DVD players and plasma display.

Despite the labour trouble at its manufacturing units, BPL has managed to keep up its business-as-usual front with total sales revenues growing to Rs 2,047.08 crore (Rs1,843.85 crore). Interest was lower at Rs 40.42 crore (Rs 42.39 crore) while depreciation was up at Rs 21.18 crore (Rs 15.34 crore) over '97-98. Reserves excluding revaluation reserve grew to Rs 433.69 crore (342.01 crore).

For the quarter ended March 31, '99, the company's sales grew around 22 per cent over the corresponding quarter last year to Rs 533 crore with a net profit of Rs 32.3 crore (Rs 19.54 crore).

The company saw its exports grow 32.5 per cent to Rs 118.01 crore. It has now set its sights on exports to the tune of Rs 150 crore. CTV exports grew 11 per cent. Exports of alkaline batteries grew 73.87 per cent to 57.90 million units against 33.3 million in the previous year.

Apart from exporting computer monitors to the USA, the company added products like speakers, colour picture tubes and TV components to its export basket, BPL said in a statement.