Brands
JSW Steel lifts Q3 crude steel output 6 per cent
MUMBAI: JSW Steel reported consolidated crude steel production of 7.48 million tonnes in the third quarter of FY26, a 6 per cent rise year-on-year, even as a key blast furnace upgrade constrained capacity utilisation at its Indian operations.
Production slipped 5 per cent sequentially from 7.90 million tonnes in Q2 FY26, largely due to the shutdown of blast furnace 3 at the Vijayanagar plant for capacity expansion. The furnace has been offline since late September 2025 and is expected to be commissioned by the end of Q4 FY26.
Indian operations produced 7.28 million tonnes during the quarter, up 7 per cent year-on-year but lower sequentially. Excluding BF3, capacity utilisation stood at about 93 per cent; including the idled furnace, utilisation fell to 85 per cent. JSW Steel’s Ohio facility in the US contributed 0.20 million tonnes.
For the nine months ended FY26, consolidated crude steel production rose 12 per cent to 22.65 million tonnes, driven by stronger domestic output. Indian operations accounted for 21.97 million tonnes during the period, up from 19.58 million tonnes a year earlier.
JSW Steel currently operates consolidated crude steel capacity of 35.7 million tonnes per annum, including 1.5 MTPA in the US. The company plans to expand capacity to 43.4 MTPA over the next three years, with Vijayanagar remaining its largest single-location facility.
Brands
Chipotle appoints Fernando Machado as chief brand officer
Marketing veteran to lead brand, digital push and global expansion plans
CALIFORNIA:Â Chipotle Mexican Grill has appointed Fernando Machado as its chief brand officer, effective 1 June, as the company sharpens its focus on brand building and digital-led growth.
The move comes shortly after Chipotle Mexican Grill chief executive officer Scott Boatwright took charge, signalling a renewed push to strengthen the brand’s global positioning and accelerate international expansion.
Most recently, Machado served as operating partner at Garnett Station Partners, where he supported portfolio brands on marketing and growth strategies. Prior to that, he was chief marketing officer at Activision Blizzard, leading campaigns for major gaming franchises.
He has also held senior roles at Restaurant Brands International, working across brands such as Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons, and spent over a decade at Unilever in global brand development roles.
In addition to his corporate experience, Machado is associated with the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity as dean of the Brand Marketers Academy, mentoring emerging marketing leaders.
At Chipotle, he will oversee brand strategy, creative direction and digital engagement, aligning marketing efforts with the company’s evolving consumer base and technology-led ambitions.
The appointment highlights Chipotle’s intent to blend strong brand storytelling with digital innovation as it looks to scale its presence in an increasingly competitive global market.
