Brands
Amritcem’s Dhalai Champion campaign lifts the bar
MUMBAI: Amritcem Cement has launched its ambitious Dhalai Champion campaign, spotlighting the brand’s unmatched strength and reliability for all types of construction work. Anchored on the theme From Foundation to Roof, the initiative celebrates both the performance of the cement and the spirit of champions from every walk of life.
The 360 degree campaign combines hyperlocal storytelling, regional influencer engagement, high-decibel ATL presence, strong digital amplification, and focused BTL activities. The brand film, fully AI-generated, follows inspiring individuals overcoming challenges with determination, echoing Amritcem’s promise of resilience, consistency, and long-lasting excellence.
Amrit Cement managing director Pradeep Bagla said, “Meghalaya is a key market for us. With the Dhalai Champion campaign, we reinforce our commitment to quality and to the people who build with trust every day. This campaign celebrates endurance and performance, values shared by Amritcem and the people of Meghalaya.”
Amrit Cement head of marketing Indranil Lahiri added, “Our goal is to make Amritcem the preferred choice for every dhalai work. By blending local insights, emotional storytelling, and influencer partnerships, we aim to connect meaningfully with home builders and construction professionals across the state. This campaign will help generate the brand pull needed in the region.”
Since 2008, Amritcem has been a leading cement manufacturer in North-East India, recognised for superior quality, innovative solutions, and strong community focus. Its product range includes Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC), all packaged in moisture-proof AD Star packs to ensure freshness and reliability.
Through the Dhalai Champion campaign, Amritcem is not just building structures, it’s strengthening trust, value, and the dreams of communities across the North-East.
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.
