Declares a 36% dividend:
Piramal Glass Ceylon turnover tops Rs 5 b
Piramal Glass Ceylon PLC has ensured the continuance of its upward
momentum in performance by recording the highest ever profit in its
history of Rs.687 million in F2012.
A revenue growth of 23% as against last year and the profit after tax
growth of 19% from 578 million in F2011 to Rs.687 million in F2012 has
ensured the board of directors declaring a first and final dividend of
36%.
PGC's Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Sanjay Tiwari
while announcing PGC's results said, “We're proud to report that we have
bettered all the previous best ever results this year with this
exceptional performance. This year we have ensured the sustenance and
continuity of the rich harvest we started reaping from our facility at
Horana.”
Revenue achieved for the year was Rs 5120 million depicting a growth
of 23% as against Rs.4163 million of the previous year. The revenue
growth of 23% was contributed to, by both the export as well as domestic
segments. The domestic market saw a significant growth of 23% from Rs.
3159 million to Rs. 3894 million. The major portion of growth was
contributed by the liquor and food and beverage segments.
The profitability increase was positively impacted by the export
market. The export product portfolio saw a marked increase in its shift
from mass market to the high end premium market segment yielding higher
realizations. According to Tiwari, the speciality portion of the total
export basket is growing steadily as per strategy .
In addition, during the year the company has been able to set footage
and establish a market for itself in New Zealand and Australia. The
company ensured that the export sales crossed the Rs. 1 billion Mark for
the third consecutive year. This is a contribution of almost 25% of the
total turnover. Several new products were also designed and launched in
the export market which yielded high realisation to the profitability .
The focus on Manufacturing Excellence too gained momentum during the
year with the company achieving level 2 of the Manufacturing Excellence
in the 2nd Quarter of the FY 12. “This has made a significant
contribution towards streamlining of production processes, which in turn
has helped us achieve high productivity levels” said Mr Sanjay Tiwari.
The earning per share increased by 18% to Rs 0.72 per share as
against Rs 0.61 per share.
The turnover for the Q4 F 12 grew by 23% from Rs. 1,102 million in
F11 Q4 to Rs. 1,360 million . Yet amidst this significant growth of top
line, the Profit After Tax fell down to a mere 7% of sales at Rs 98
million during the quarter as against Rs 178 million and 16% of sales it
achieved during the similar period of the previous year.
The main contributory factors contributing towards this drop in
performance figures was the energy price increase and the dollar
depreciation.
The unprecedented increase in energy prices during mid February 2012
created much concern. The ever increasing LPG Gas prices , electricity
tariff and furnace oil impacted negatively in the last quarter. The
price of furnace oil increase of 80% and the electricity tariff increase
of 15% has laid a heavy burden on the cost parameter.
Tiwari said that the company never anticipated an overnight increase
of this magnitude. “In fact the relevant authorities were requested to
phase out such increases so that the burden can be absorbed by the
consumers over a period of time”.
The company has had no option but to pass off some part of the cost
increase to its customer. Yet this pricing strategy does not hold true
and sustain in the international market. This would end up with the
company losing the market it has created for itself in the international
shores with much effort. |