Brands
Lather rinse profit as Marico cleans up with Rs 1658 crore in FY25
MUMBAI: When it comes to FMCG bigwigs, Marico isn’t just oiling the wheels, it’s flying on full throttle. Marico has closed FY25 with a consolidated net profit of Rs 1,658 crore, marking a 10 per cent rise over last year’s Rs 1,502 crore. The standalone numbers weren’t far behind either, with net profit at Rs 1,541 crore, reflecting a hefty 43 per cent jump from Rs 1,078 crore in FY24.
Revenue from operations touched Rs 10,831 crore, up from Rs 9,653 crore a year earlier, while other income surged to Rs 208 crore from Rs 142 crore. That’s a total income of Rs 11,039 crore, served up with a generous side of operational efficiency.
The Board, clearly in a generous mood, has recommended a final dividend of Rs 7 per share, bringing the total payout for the year to Rs 10.5 per equity share, including the interim Rs 3.5 disbursed in January.
A major ingredient in this profitable recipe? Cost control. Despite global macro headwinds and raw material volatility, Marico kept total annual expenses at Rs 8,923 crore, managing margins smartly. Advertisement and promotion spends stood at Rs 1,128 crore, a modest increase from Rs 952 crore last year, showing the brand is still playing to win.
Its international business, now contributing about 25 per cent to overall revenue, continues to ride strong tailwinds from Asia and Africa. On the domestic front, flagship brands like Parachute and Saffola, along with digital-first acquisitions like Just Herbs and Plix, helped widen the consumer base and deepen wallet share.
The company also saw major movement on the investment and acquisition front completing the buyout of Apcos Naturals and increasing its stake in Satiya Nutraceuticals (Plix) to 51.38 per cent, transforming it into a majority-owned unit. Marico closed the year with Rs 321 crore in cash and equivalents, up from Rs 228 crore.
Meanwhile, FMCG patriarch Harsh Mariwala, who turns 75 next year, will continue as a Non-Executive Director, with the board approving his continuation under SEBI’s age-related norms. Also onboard for the long haul is Dr K.R. Chandratre, appointed Secretarial Auditor for the next five years.
With strong financials, smart acquisitions and a dividend that’s clearly keeping shareholders happy, Marico seems to have struck the perfect balance between tradition and transformation. In a market often running on fumes, this coconut oil kingpin is proving it’s still very much in its prime.
Brands
Ather Energy doubles service network to 500 centres nationwide
EV maker scales support alongside growth to keep riders on the road
MUMBAI: Ather Energy is quietly building more than just scooters. It is building the backbone to keep them running.
The electric two-wheeler maker has expanded its service network to 500 authorised centres across India, nearly doubling its footprint in a year from 277. The move mirrors its growing retail presence and signals a clear focus on one often overlooked part of EV ownership, what happens after the purchase.
From the outset, Ather has prioritised service support in every city it enters, aiming to make ownership as smooth as the ride itself. Its Gold Service Centres bring in upgraded customer lounges, modern equipment and processes designed to make servicing more transparent and reliable.
Speed, too, is part of the pitch. Through its ExpressCare initiative, riders can get periodic maintenance done in about an hour, now available across 82 centres, turning what used to be a chore into a quick pit stop.
Ather Energy chief business officer Ravneet Singh Phokela said, “Crossing 500 service centres is an important milestone as we scale across the country. Reliable after-sales support is central to the ownership experience, and our focus remains on consistent service quality and accessibility.”
The expansion comes as demand grows for models like the Ather 450 and the Rizta, which have helped the company reach a broader set of riders across metros and emerging cities alike.
Alongside servicing, Ather continues to power up infrastructure through the Ather Grid, now one of the largest fast-charging networks for two-wheelers, with over 4,300 charging points.
With plans to scale further and deepen its presence, Ather’s approach is clear. Selling the scooter may start the journey, but keeping it running smoothly is what sustains it.
