Brands
Asian Paints announces sponsorship with Kolkata Knight Riders for VIVO IPL 2019
MUMBAI: Asian Paints has announced its association as official sponsors of Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL season 12, in addition to the continued association with the cricket franchise.
The brand shared in a press statement that the east is a priority market for it. With this association, Asian Paints will be omnipresent on-ground and on-air with high decibel activities planned for the network and consumers at large. The lead trouser sponsorship will help the brand cut through the clutter of multiple brand advertisements during the league and help garner brand saliency.
In addition to this, Asian Paints is also facilitating two meet and greets for its key stakeholders with the players of the KKR team. With the people of East India being avid sport lovers, Asian Paints will leverage this association by having activities planned for the consumers, network of dealers, AIDs and contractors. During the AMJ quarter, this sponsorship is anticipated to generate a stable and sustained reach and visibility for the brand.
Commenting on the association, Asian Paints Limited COO Amit Syngle said, “We are proud to be associated with IPL & Kolkata Knight Riders for the 12th IPL edition and are confident that this association will be a successful one. IPL continues to be a prestigious platform that has thrived over years, witnessing massive brand collaborations and visibility. KKR is considered to be one of the most coveted teams in the lucrative T20 tournament and this association is an added benefit for us to strengthen our connect with our consumers spread across the breadth of the country with a focus on the east.”
Commenting on the association Kolkata Knight Riders MD and CEO Venky Mysore said, “It’s a pleasure to have a great brand like Asian Paints associate with us. At Knight Riders we like to work with credible brands that bring a lot of value to the partnership and with Asian Paints it’s yet another step in that direction.”
Brands
Bajaj Consumer Care FY26 profit rises to Rs 193.7 crore
Revenue climbs to Rs 1,092 crore as profit grows 49 per cent YoY
MUMBAI: Hair today, growth tomorrow Bajaj Consumer Care Limited seems to have found its shine again, posting a sharp jump in profitability even as it doubled down on brand spends and expansion. The company reported a net profit of Rs 193.7 crore for FY26, marking a strong 49 per cent rise from Rs 130.1 crore in FY25. Revenue from operations also grew to Rs 1,092.2 crore, up from Rs 942.8 crore a year earlier, signalling steady demand momentum across its portfolio.
For the March quarter, profit stood at Rs 64.1 crore, compared to Rs 31.5 crore in the corresponding period last year, while revenue rose to Rs 308.3 crore from Rs 243.5 crore.
The performance came despite a notable increase in spending. Advertising and sales promotion expenses climbed to Rs 168.3 crore in FY26, up from Rs 137.8 crore in FY25, reflecting continued investment in brand building. Other expenses also rose to Rs 151.3 crore from Rs 134.2 crore, indicating a broader push towards growth.
Operating efficiency, however, held firm. Profit before tax increased to Rs 234.8 crore in FY26 from Rs 157.7 crore a year earlier, supported by disciplined cost management across materials and inventory.
On the balance sheet, the company’s total assets expanded to Rs 959.1 crore as of March 31, 2026, compared to Rs 931.9 crore a year earlier. Other equity rose to Rs 780.3 crore, reinforcing a stronger financial base.
Cash flow from operations saw a significant uptick, reaching Rs 196.9 crore in FY26, nearly three times the Rs 67.9 crore recorded in FY25, highlighting improved working capital management.
However, the year also saw aggressive capital allocation. The company spent Rs 190.2 crore on share buybacks, contributing to a net cash outflow of Rs 196.5 crore from financing activities. Cash and cash equivalents stood at Rs 6.8 crore at the end of the year, down from Rs 25.6 crore.
Even as investments in subsidiaries and assets continued, the numbers suggest a company balancing growth ambitions with shareholder returns keeping one eye on expansion and the other on efficiency.
With margins improving and revenue steadily climbing, Bajaj Consumer Care appears to be combing through the competition with renewed confidence.
