Sound Benefits

Providing best audio designing capabilities, Harness Overseas Pvt. Ltd encompasses the entire spectrum of designing, supplying and installing pro audio, intelligent lighting and acoustics. Lalit Chopra, Director, Technical, Harness Overseas Pvt. Ltd enlightens us about the sound benefits for retailers.

Aparna Sharon Isa Dass (ASID): Tell us about the inception and growth of Harness Overseas?
Lalit Chopra (LC): Harness was set up in 1994 with an aim to take cinemas to people’s home. During this period we discovered how the pro audio market was being exploited by amateurs. We also realised that the pro audio industry was in the hands of DJs or equipment sellers who did not know why and what they were selling. In 1997, seeing and sensing this vacuum in the market, a group of Indian technocrats and marketing professionals joined hands with a UK based company called BPC circuits. This group was called Harness Overseas Pvt. Ltd. We also joined hands with a specialist pro audio manufacturer in UK called OHM. Ensuring proper training of our manpower and kept hand holding and upgrading us with new technologies and products for a few years till our skills were not parallel to the best in Europe . We hence became one of the first audio companies in this region offering complete engineering skill sets having proper in-house design capabilities.  

ASID: Which categories does Harness Overseas involve itself with? 
LC: We cover most of the market verticals that need serious audio designing capabilities. We have been extremely active in the market verticals such as retail chains, malls, lounges, high end homes, underwater application systems and amusement parks. 

ASID: What kind of clientele do you cater to with respect to retail? 
LC: Our clientele is from various parts of the country and in different categories. In retail stores we have Kimaya, Givo, Pro Form, Tress Lounge, Baxy Infosol, in the restaurant and lounge category we have clients like Yo China , Red Coral, Olive, Bike & Barrels, Shalome, Touch, Venom, Baci, Satoria, Italic Goa, Poison and Enigma at JW Marriott. We have also set foot at malls like North Square Mall, Cross River Mall, V 3 Extension, Square One and Manglam.

ASID: How important is an audio system set up for a retail house?
LC: Most of the retail outlets in the country have an audio system, however, lot of retail chains do not take audio seriously. Now the trend has changed as people at times go shopping to experience serious audio system. 

ASID: What are your future plans and upcoming projects in the retail sector? 
LC: As a company we plan to focus more on audio and visual integration and also to expand verticals in corporate audio and build management systems. Other core area where we want to concentrate is acoustical design in the field of noise control. Our field has very few experts and due to the hazards of huge environmental noise it has become necessary for us to set up audio visual systems for a healthy living.

ASID: How closely do you work with a store designer/ visual merchandiser during a project?
LC: Every architect understands the importance of a sound audio system and thanks to the maturing of the trade; we have a lot many architects/ visual merchandisers who work with us from the project conception stage. Working with them ensures precision in sound and strategic placement.