MAM
EasyFix forays into Mumbai and Bangalore markets
MUMBAI: EasyFix, a one-call repair and maintenance provider, has expanded its operations with its launch in new markets, namely, Mumbai and Bangalore. The offices will be in Sakinaka and BTM Layout, respectively, to attain maximum penetration.
After showcasing a successful run in the Delhi NCR market, EasyFix is now looking at expansion. With plans to establish itself pan India in the near future setting up base in Mumbai and Bangalore is only the beginning.
The initial investment made by EasyFix in each city is Rs 10 lakh, which is being invested in infrastructure, marketing and acquiring a new team.
EasyFix co-founder and CEO Shaifali Agarwal said, “Our strategy is to have the best people on board and create best service experience for the end consumer. I am looking at building a very strong team with like-minded people. People, who have the passion to do something in life and are smart enough to do or get done, any kind of job. We are glad to have proven our mettle Delhi NCR and thus, now, we have decided to replicate the same model PAN India. We will maintain the same quality standards and ensure our services are warmly accepted in all markets with same customer satisfaction score as in Delhi.”
EasyFix has finished their first round of hiring in their Mumbai and Bangalore offices. The intent behind the hiring mix is to strengthen the backend. The mix primarily comprises customer solutions team, operations manager, services quality desk and servicemen network development team.
Once EasyFix establishes a foothold in Mumbai and Bangalore, it will slowly penetrate the top 10 metros. Each unit is set to become self-sustaining within a short span of three months.
The company also plans to enhance investments on new product development and research and design initiatives in order to develop modern and sophisticated products.
Talking about the business and growth, Thiagarajan said that Blue Star is eyeing to triple the share of inverter ACs in its room air conditioner sales by 2015 as the company is underpinning its hopes on increasing preference for energy efficiency products among the buyers and falling prices of inverter ACs.
Thiagarajan also said that the room AC business was a strong focus area for the company and it would be the primary growth driver of its revenues in the coming years. “We have been encouraged by the growth in market share in this business despite the strong presence of global brands. So we have decided to invest in R&D, manufacturing and marketing to boost room AC business,” he added.
Thiagarajan further said that countries like Japan and China are moving towards inverter ACs to help save power consumption. The company plans to sell 3.4 lakh units of ACs by 2015-16 of which seven per cent would be inverter.
Last year the room air-conditioners industry grew by 10 per cent in volume terms and in value terms it was 19 per cent.
Thiagarajan also said that the company is likely to finalize a manufacturing location by July or September next fiscal as it is looking to expand its manufacturing base. “We have a capacity to manufacture four lakh AC units at present,” he concluded.
Brands
Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
