As India’s consumer electronics accessories market continues to grow, driven by rising smartphone adoption and evolving digital lifestyles, the demand for reliable, high-quality, and affordable mobile accessories has never been greater. Among the brands that have successfully carved a niche in this competitive space is UNIX India. From its humble beginnings as a trading business to becoming a leading manufacturing-driven enterprise with a nationwide presence, the company has remained committed to delivering dependable products for everyday consumers. In this exclusive interaction with Machine Edge Global, Imran Kagalwala, Co-Founder of UNIX India, shares the company’s journey, its commitment to quality and “Make in India,” investments in manufacturing and R&D, the challenge of counterfeit products, and the innovations shaping the future of the brand.
UNIX India has built a strong presence in the mobile accessories market. What was the original vision behind starting the company, and how has that vision evolved over the years?
The vision behind UNIX India was straightforward, to build mobile accessories that Indian consumers could rely on in their everyday lives. At the time, we clearly noticed a gap in the market when it came to durability, consistency, and trust, especially in the affordable segment.
We began as a small trading setup, but as we worked closely with the market, it became clear that delivering real quality at scale would require deeper control over the product journey. That is what led us to move into manufacturing.
Over time, the vision evolved from being a trading-led business to becoming a manufacturing-led organisation with a strong focus on quality. Today, UNIX India has over 700 employees, a PAN-India presence, and a robust distribution network across retail and e-commerce. While the scale has changed significantly, the core intent remains the same, to build dependable products that fit seamlessly into the daily lives of Indian consumers.
Your focus on affordable yet high-quality products has helped UNIX India connect with everyday consumers. How do you strike the right balance between cost and quality?
It all begins at the design stage for us. We start by understanding what the customer actually needs in daily use and avoid unnecessary features that add cost without real value. At the same time, we are very clear that affordability cannot compromise reliability. Every product goes through rigorous testing and validation to ensure consistent performance.
In a price-sensitive market like India, trust is built only when customers feel that the product will last and perform as expected. That is the balance we focus on maintaining.
Products like chargers, cables, earphones, and power banks have become everyday essentials. How do you ensure these products remain both accessible and reliable for customers?
These products are part of daily life now, so performance is non-negotiable for us. We ensure this through strong quality control at every stage, from design and manufacturing to final testing. Each product is expected to deliver the same experience every time it is used.
At the same time, accessibility is equally important. We offer a wide range across different price points and ensure availability across retail and online channels so that customers can choose based on their needs without compromising on standards.
“Make in India” has become a strong movement across industries. How important is local manufacturing to UNIX India’s growth strategy?
Local manufacturing is a key pillar of our growth strategy. “Make in India” has strengthened our belief in building capabilities within the country. Manufacturing locally allows us to better understand consumer needs, maintain quality control, and respond faster to market requirements.
It also helps us contribute to job creation and build a stronger domestic supply ecosystem. For us, it is not just a policy direction, it is a long-term commitment.
Could you share more about your efforts in developing in-house manufacturing capabilities and strengthening R&D within the company?
We are focused on building more within the organisation and reducing dependency on external systems. This shift allows us to stay closer to the entire product journey—from concept to execution, and ensures that every stage is aligned with how the product is actually meant to perform in real-world use.
At the same time, our R&D focus is on continuous improvement rather than one-time development. The idea is to keep evolving products through faster iteration cycles, smarter engineering inputs, and a deeper understanding of how users interact with them in everyday scenarios.
Counterfeit and low-quality accessories remain a concern in the market. How can brands and consumers work together to address this issue?
Counterfeit products remain a serious challenge because they impact both safety and trust in the category. Brands need to make authenticity easier to verify through better packaging, traceability systems, and consistent product quality. Creating awareness is equally important so consumers can identify genuine products.
At the same time, consumers should be cautious about pricing that seems unrealistic and always buy from trusted sources. This issue can only be addressed when both sides, brands and consumers – act with awareness and responsibility.
Looking ahead, what new product categories or technological innovations can consumers expect from UNIX India in the near future?
Going forward, we will continue expanding into categories that align with evolving consumer technology needs. We are closely tracking advancements in charging technology, smart connectivity, and new device ecosystems. However, our approach is not to follow trends blindly.
We focus on building practical, reliable products that solve real everyday problems. Any new category we enter will follow that same principle; usefulness, reliability, and value for consumers.