Brands
Hindustan Media Ventures reports 32 per cent higher PAT in FY-2014
BENGALURU: Hindi newspaper ‘Hindustan’, Hindi socio cultural magazine ‘Kadambini’ and children’s Hindi magazine ‘Nandan’ publishers Hindustan Media Ventures Limited (HMVL – not to be confused with HT Media Limited of Hindustan Times, Mint and Fever FM fame) reported a 31.58 per cent growth in PAT at Rs111.21 crore (15.24 per cent of Income from Operations or Op Inc) in FY-2014, as compared to the Rs 84.52 crore (13.28 per cent of Op Inc) in FY-2013.
Note: Rs 100 lakh = Rs100,00,000 = Rs 1 crore = Rs 10 million
HMVL chairperson Shobhana Bhartia said, “We are glad to close the year with a strong growth in revenue and profitability. While our pricing initiatives have contributed to top-line growth, our sustained cost control measures have ensured an increase in profitability despite rising input costs.”
“This year’s performance also reaffirms Hindustan’s dominance in Bihar and Jharkhand and its stature as the fastest growing daily in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. With a strong brand, growing readership, and healthy balance sheet, we are confident that we will continue to deliver value to our shareholders,” added Bhartia.
Let us look at the other main numbers reported by HMVL for Q4-2014 and FY-2014
HMVL PAT in Q4-2014 at Rs 27.21 crore (14.80 per cent of Op Inc) was (-5.21) per cent lower than the immediate trailing quarter Q3-2014 PAT of Rs 28.79 crore (15.26 per cent of Op Inc, but 19.87 per cent more than the year ago quarter Q4-2013 PAT of Rs 22.70 crore (14.61 per cent of Op Inc).
HMVL reported slightly lower Op Inc in Q4-2014 at Rs183.18 crore (-2.53 per cent lower) than the Rs188.65 crore in Q3-2014, but 18.32 per cent higher than the Rs155.41 crore in Q3-2013.
For FY-2014, HMVL Op Inc at Rs 729.72 crore was 14.69 per cent higher than the Rs 636.27 crore in FY-2013.
HMVL Total Expense in Q4-2014 at Rs155.58 crore was (-1.09) per cent lower than the Rs157.30 crore in Q3-2014 and 18.52 per cent more than the Rs131.27 crore in Q4-2013. In FY-2014, Total Expense at Rs 600.04 crore was 10.02 per cent more than the Rs 545.41 crore in FY-2013.
Raw materials constitute almost half of HMVL’s Total Expense. The company spent Rs 80.76 crore (51.91 per cent of Total Expense) in Q4-2014 which was 0.16 per cent more q-o-q than the Rs 80.63 crore (51.26 per cent of Total Expense) in Q3-2013 and 27.52 per cent more y-o-y than the Rs 63.33 crore (48.24 per cent of Total Expense) in Q4-2013. In FY-2013, the company spent Rs 300.44 crore towards raw materials (50.07 per cent of Total expense) which was 13.47 per cent more than the Rs 264.78 crore (48.55 per cent of Total Expense).
The company says that EBITDA increased by 29 per cent to Rs 181.8 crore from Rs 141 crore primarily due to growth in advertising and circulation revenues.
It says that growth was partially offset by increase in consumption of raw materials due to increase in newsprint price and consumption.
It saw an 8 per cent increase in employee costs to Rs 86.6 crore from Rs 80.4 crore; a 7 per cent increase in other expenditure to Rs 191.4 crore from Rs 178.7 crore due to increase in advertising and sales promotions expense.
Brands
Raj Cooling Systems launches Agreyas appliances brand
Emraan Hashmi named brand ambassador for consumer appliance push.
MUMBAI: A company known for cooling solutions is now heating up its ambitions in the home appliances market. Raj Cooling Systems Pvt. Ltd. has launched a new consumer appliances brand, Agreyas, marking its entry into India’s rapidly expanding home appliances sector valued at more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore. The move represents a strategic diversification for the company, which has traditionally focused on cooling solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Through Agreyas, the firm plans to tap into growing consumer demand for energy efficient and technology driven household appliances.
To build brand visibility, Agreyas has appointed Emraan Hashmi as its brand ambassador. The campaign has been developed under the banner of Zoommantra Productions, with actor and filmmaker Rohit Roy contributing to the creative direction.
The brand’s initial portfolio will include mid premium air conditioners, washing machines, geysers and other white goods designed to cater to modern Indian households seeking efficient and reliable appliances.
Raj Cooling Systems, founder and chairman Kalpesh Ramoliya said the launch aligns with the company’s broader expansion plans.
“The launch of Agreyas is in line with our vision to build a strong presence in India’s consumer electronics and home appliances market. The brand has been developed as a standalone identity to meet the evolving needs of Indian consumers,” he said.
Hashmi said the collaboration comes at a time when Indian buyers are increasingly looking for innovative and functional home solutions.
“I’m looking forward to working with Agreyas at a time when consumers are seeking more innovative and efficient home products. The brand reflects changing consumer behaviour around functionality, innovation and ease of use,” he said.
Raj Cooling Systems plans to invest around 10 million dollars in developing the brand, with an additional 5 million dollars earmarked over the next three to five years for product development and distribution expansion.
Agreyas will follow a multi channel distribution approach, selling through online platforms, retail outlets and dealer networks aimed at both urban and semi urban markets across India.
With the launch, the company is positioning Agreyas as a standalone consumer facing brand while continuing to leverage its existing manufacturing, engineering and research capabilities built through its core cooling solutions business.
