Toshiba strengthens foothold in India with high-quality storage solutions and strategic partnerships

“After-sales service is of prime importance to us. Unlike others, Toshiba replaces faulty hard drives with brand-new ones instead of repairing them as long as they are under warranty, ensuring data integrity. Returned drives are sent back to the factory and never re- enter the market”

Toshiba, a renowned Japanese technology company, has built a reputation for delivering high-quality storage solutions that combine innovation, reliability, and the latest specifications. Over the years, it has expanded its presence in India, catering to enterprise, surveillance, and consumer segments while establishing strong partnerships across key verticals. VARINDIA spoke with Polad P Garda, Country Manager (Storage Devices), Toshiba India Pvt. Ltd., to understand the company’s strategy, R&D focus, and roadmap for the Indian market. Excerpts:

 
What is the USP of Toshiba and what makes it stand out in the market?

Toshiba is a Japanese company, and quality along with service is at the core of everything we do. We ensure that every product delivered is of the highest quality, offering best-in-market specifications and the latest available technology.

How has Toshiba established its brand positioning in India?

I’ve been with Toshiba for nearly 14 years, and during this time, our business has expanded significantly. We started with laptop drives and now offer a complete portfolio including enterprise, surveillance, mass storage, and external drives in India. The surveillance and enterprise segments, in particular, are witnessing exponential growth, giving us a strong foothold in the market.

Which verticals has Toshiba successfully penetrated, and in which areas have you built preferred partnerships?

Thanks to supportive government policies, ongoing investments, and India’s positive economic outlook, we see strong traction in several sectors. The government segment, driven by GeM, has been significant, alongside CCTV, smart cities, courts, and large enterprise projects. We’ve also built a strong presence in verticals like smart cities, surveillance, highways, networking, and education, where Toshiba enjoys preferred partnerships and consistent growth.

How is Toshiba’s distribution network structured in India?

Currently, we have one national distributor—Rashi. Through them, we bill around 900–1,000 unique dealers every quarter, covering more than 400–500 cities across India.
 
How does Toshiba ensure superior service and support for its customers?

After-sales service is of prime importance to us. Unlike others, Toshiba replaces faulty hard drives with brand-new ones instead of repairing them as long as they are under warranty, ensuring data integrity. Returned drives are sent back to the factory and never re- enter the market.

Can you elaborate on Toshiba’s R&D capabilities and the roadmap for the coming year?

True to the Japanese way of working, R&D is central to Toshiba. We may sometimes be the last to market, but that ensures every product meets the highest standards before launch. Looking ahead, with AI gaining prominence, we are developing AI-optimized drives and focusing on expanding capacity, with 24TB, 26TB, 28TB, and even 30TB drives expected soon.

How is Toshiba strengthening its engagement with data centers?

Toshiba works with data centers through strategic partnerships with system integrators (SIs), enabling deeper penetration into key verticals and ensuring a more effective, collaborative approach than pursuing them individually.

Finally, what message would you like to share with Indian enterprises about storage opportunities?

Hard drives are making a strong comeback. People now realize that SSDs and hard drives will co-exist. Hard drives remain essential for long-term storage. With demand rising and supply expected to be tight, it’s the right time for businesses to capitalize on this opportunity.