MAM
Dalmia Cement launches digital engagement programme with dealers during lockdown
MUMBAI: Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd has launched a digital engagement programme, ‘Dalmia Cares’ for its dealers and channel partners across the country. The programme offers cement dealers multiple ways to engage in social responsibility, wellness and family activities using digital and in home/ near home activities.
Dalmia Cement COO Ujjwal Batria said, “We have prided ourselves on being the first to market with various digital tools over the years. These tools help dealers make day to day business interactions easy, quick and cost-efficient. With the lockdown in force to overcome Covid19, we have launched several activities to keep morale up, help local communities and increase life satisfaction during this difficult time.”
Dalmia Cement executive director marketing Pramesh Arya said, “Many of our dealers are community and business leaders, and have already undertaken a number of social activities in their local areas. With Dalmia Cares, we wanted to create a larger social movement, helping give shape to a more focused effort to help communities and families.”
The Dalmia Cares programme includes daily task-based activities, including showcasing hidden talents, fitness activities at home, culinary challenges, puzzles, feeding local communities, helping stray animals among others. Dealers completing these tasks earn reward points, which they can redeem against a range of exciting prizes, including gadgets and household appliances. Dealers were also encouraged to donate to the PM-CARES fund and other charitable organisations of their choice. These funds raised by Dalmia Cement dealers are in addition to the Rs 25 crore and Rs 1.6 crore donated by Dalmia Bharat Group, and its employees respectively.
Dalmia Cement is one of the largest producers of speciality cement products in India, offering individual and institutional customers a wide variety of products across the country. The brand also offers products under the Dalmia DSP and Konark brands in key markets.
The programme has received hundreds of entries from the states Dalmia Cement operates in, with dealers delighting families and local communities with their contributions. The company will extend the programme as long as the effects of the lockdown remain in force around the country.
Brands
Sapphire Foods FY26 revenue rises to Rs 3,125 crore, posts loss
Q4 revenue at Rs 792 crore, FY26 loss at Rs 32 crore amid cost pressures.
MUMBAI: If growth is on the menu, profitability seems to have taken a brief detour. Sapphire Foods India reported a steady rise in topline for FY26, even as rising costs weighed on profitability. Revenue from operations grew to Rs 3,125 crore for the year ended March 31, 2026, up from Rs 2,882 crore in FY25. However, the company swung to a loss, reporting a net loss of Rs 32 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 17 crore in the previous year. Total income for the year stood at Rs 3,153 crore, while total expenses climbed to Rs 3,167 crore, reflecting pressure across key cost heads.
In the March quarter, revenue came in at Rs 792 crore, compared to Rs 711 crore in the same period last year. The company reported a quarterly net loss of Rs 13 crore, against a profit of Rs 2 crore a year earlier.
Cost pressures remained visible across operations. Material costs rose to Rs 995 crore for FY26, while employee expenses increased to Rs 428 crore. Other expenses, the largest component, stood at Rs 1,229 crore, underscoring the impact of store operations and expansion-related spends.
Depreciation and amortisation expenses also climbed to Rs 392 crore for the year, reflecting continued investments in store infrastructure and growth.
At the operating level, the company reported a loss before tax of Rs 37 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 23 crore in FY25. Exceptional items added Rs 24 crore to the cost burden during the year.
On the balance sheet, total assets rose to Rs 3,256 crore as of March 31, 2026, up from Rs 3,041 crore a year earlier, indicating ongoing expansion. Net worth stood at Rs 1,389 crore.
Despite profitability pressures, operating cash flow remained resilient at Rs 507 crore, highlighting underlying business strength and demand stability.
The numbers paint a familiar picture in the quick-service restaurant space, growth continues to be served hot, but margins are still finding their footing.
