MAM
RAK Ceramics now embraced by Ayodhya Project – A continuing legacy
Mumbai: RAK Ceramics has a long-standing history of partnering with prestigious projects across India, including the Kashi Vishwanath temple complex, the UP PWD project, airports of Lucknow, Chennai, Bangalore, and Delhi, prominent IITs like Kanpur, Tirupati, and Patna, medical colleges like AIIMS, and important projects like BHU, ISRO, and NTPC to name a few. However, the Ram Mandir project is considered the grandest of them all. This project strengthens the relationship between Indian consumers and RAK Ceramics, highlighting the company’s commitment to excellence and consistent quality. RAK Ceramics has a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Samalkot, Andhra Pradesh, with 30,000 square meters of vitrified tiles and 3000 pieces of sanitary ware production daily. The company also has two joint venture plants at Morbi, Gujarat, which have played a pivotal role in India’s story.
Speaking about this, RAK Ceramics India Pvt Ltd CEO Anil K Beejawat said, “While our products are used in tens of thousands of projects globally every year, this prestigious association is one of a kind. To be associated with a project embedded in the cultural, religious, and social life of the people of Bharat is a matter of great pride for RAK Ceramics.”
As a part of the project, high-quality products are used in various key areas of the Ram Temple Complex, including the pilgrim’s facility centre, fire post, pilgrims toilet, main receiving substation, staff locker male/female, waiting hall, and UPS room, etc. These are high-footfall areas that will serve millions of visitors each year. The project demanded nothing less than the best quality of products, and that’s where RAK Ceramics prevailed.
Furthermore, Beejawat said, “The Ram Mandir at the Ram Janmabhoomi at Ayodhya is much more than a modern architectural marvel. It is the epitome of faith of all Indians the world over. It’s symbolic of the real identity of Bharat and the re-emergence of one of the oldest civilizations on this planet. We have participated in numerous globally renowned projects such as Wembley Stadium, Atlantis – The Palm, Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Grand Hyatt Washington, and iconic airports like Heathrow and Dubai. With this opportunity to be a part of the Ram Temple Complex, we have added another unmatched accomplishment to our repertoire. We are keenly looking forward to the grand opening of the temple on 22 January.”
RAK Ceramics is one of the largest ceramic brands in the world, with the capacity to produce 118 million square meters of tiles, 5.7 million pieces of sanitaryware, 26 million pieces of porcelain tableware, and 2.6 million faucets yearly at their state-of-the-art plants across the United Arab Emirates, India, Bangladesh & Europe. The company is gearing up for more exciting projects and other important associations in the near future.
Brands
Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
