"The surging demand in both industrial and automotive segments and lead price inflation enabled us to achieve Rs 1,000 crore in revenues,'' according to ARBL chairman Ramachandra N Galla. However, the surging price of crude oil, volatile commodity prices and rising inflation in India might affect the company's growth rate in future, he added.
For the full year ended 2007-08, net profit was up 100.58 per cent to Rs 94.36 crore as compared with Rs 47.04 crore in 2006-07. Revenues grew 83.12 per cent to Rs 1,108.93 crore from Rs 605.57 crore in 2006-07.
According to ARBL financial controller K Suresh, the surge in lead prices accounted for 50 per cent of the revenue growth this year. The interest outgo was minimised through treasury management to ensure a good bottom line.
The industrial valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) battery segment recorded a 37 per cent sales growth. It enjoyed a 26 per cent market share in the automotive original equipment manufacturing segment and the volumes increased 27 per cent year-on-year. The company would increase the manufacturing capacity of 4-wheeler batteries to 5.4 million by the second quarter of the financial year 2009 from the current 4.9 million units per annum.
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The combined capacity of two-wheeler batteries and small valve regulated lead acid batteries, which is 1 million units per annum now, would be enhanced to 3.2 million units. ARBL expanded its reach to Asia Pacific, Africa and West Asia recently, said ARBL managing director Jayadev Galla
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