Balmer Lawrie plans to expand distribution network

Diversified public sector enterprise Balmer Lawrie is planning to expand its distribution network and double its market share over the next five years, a senior official of the company said here today.
"We are putting a lot of pressure on expansion. We are focusing on the automotive retail business, which will drive growth and profitability. The expansion will be done by leveraging and rapidly expanding the distribution network in focused markets and effective brand building," Balmer Lawrie Chairman and Managing Director Viren Sinha told reporters.
He was speaking during the launch of the new TechTonic Packs for Diesel Engine Oils and 4T Oils for automotive sector.

"Currently, we have a market share of two per cent. And with the market growing at 3-4 per cent, we will be able to double our market share in the next five years," he said adding that the company is also looking to aggressively market its Balmerol brand of lubricants.
He said that the company, which has been a market leader in speciality greases and lubricants, has renewed the land licence for the city-based plant from the Calcutta Port Trust last year and was currently looking to upgrade it.
Stating that the company's manufacturing business had witnessed a tough time in 2014-15 and operations were expected to improve this fiscal, the chairman said the company has plans to invest around Rs 265 crore on its lubricants and warehouse businesses in the next few years.

Sinha also stated that the company has plans to spend Rs 100 crore for revamping its speciality lubricants business and Rs 165 crore in building multi-product warehouses.
The investment in the lubricants business will be mainly done for its Kolkata plant, he added.
He also said that the company was also focussing on expanding its retail distribution network for speciality lubricants and improvement in brand visibility and supply chain.