mukand Management discussions


Steel is one of the most important and widely used materials in the world. It is used in construction, transportation, manufacturing, and many other industries. The steel sector is not only vital to the global economy but also plays a critical role in the economic growth of any country. The industrys impact on the economy goes beyond its direct contributions to GDP. The production and consumption of steel have a significant multiplier effect on other sectors of the economy like infrastructure, transportation, automobiles etc. Steel is also an essential material for the energy sector, as it is used in the production of wind turbines and oil rigs. Furthermore, the steel industry is a key player in international trade.

India is the second-largest producer of steel in the world, after China. The demand for steel in India has been robust in the last one year, driven by the governments infrastructure projects and the support extended to the manufacturing sector. The stainless steel market in India has also witnessed growth in the last one year. The demand for stainless steel has been driven by the construction, automotive, and consumer goods industries. The growing awareness of the benefits of using stainless steel, such as durability and corrosion resistance, has also contributed to the growth of the market. However, the industry has also faced some challenges such as the shortage of raw materials, ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global supply chain etc. But despite these roadblocks, the steel manufacturing sector has been striving hard to ensure its growth and India is one of the few countries where maximum new capacity both by way of greenfield and brownfield initiatives is in the pipeline.

The Global Economy

The global economy has been on a rollercoaster ride in recent times, driven by the effect of COVID-19 pandemic and a range of other factors. As we look ahead to the global economy in the year 2023-24, there are several factors that are likely to shape economic growth and business conditions. The January 2023 World Economic Outlook Update projects that global growth will rise to 3.1 percent in 2024. Global inflation has been more persistent than previously assumed, and high core inflation suggests that inflation may remain above pre-pandemic averages in many countries for an extended period. To rein in high inflation bolster credibility, major central banks have tightened their policy. Aggressive monetary policy tightening to contain high inflation, deteriorating financial conditions, declining confidence, and widespread energy shortages have contributed to a downgrade global growth.

The Indian Economy

Indias steel production reached a record high of 121.06 million tonnes in the financial year 2022-23, up 10.4% from the previous year. The sector also benefited from the governments focus on infrastructure development, increased demand from the automobile and construction sectors. Though we saw a strong growth curve in the domestic market but on the export front, Indian manufacturers did see a decline. India, the worlds second-biggest producer of crude steel, shipped around 6.7 million tonnes of finished steel in 2022-23, which was a decline of around 50.2% from the year 2021-22 and the lowest since the period of 2018-19. Meanwhile, Indias imports touched a four-year high at 6 million tonnes in 2022-23, a growth of 29% from the year 2021-22 and the highest since 2019-20.

The volatility in the market was mainly the effect of several causes which contributed in their own ways like the Russia-Ukraine war which resulted in the global slowdown in demand and second was the export tax imposed by the government in the month of November 2022 that capped export opportunities for Indian steelmakers. In addition, a lack of appetite from Southeast Asian counties also affected steel exports. Overall, Indias crude steel production reached a record high in the year 2022-23. Surprisingly, India was the only country among worlds top 10 steel-producing countries that saw a positive growth in crude steel output in 2022.

Regarding the economic development of the nation, IMF has projected the GDP growth of India at 5.9% compared to the projection of 6.5% by the Reserve Bank of India. Amidst the given circumstances and the economic scenario around the country, we are hopeful that India has a high chance of becoming the epicentre of the growth of steel in the world. Growing strength to strength in the last 9 years, our country is on course to achieve two great landmarks i.e. production of 125 Million tonnes of steel and achieving 11%-12% growth in steel consumption in the time ahead.

Companys performance

The Financial Year 2022- 23 has been an outstanding year in the history of your Company in many ways. The Company registered the highest dispatch in the year ended on 31st March 2023. The total revenue of the Company for the Financial Year 2022- 23 stood at Rs. 5,597 crore as against Rs. 4,607 crore in the previous year, placing your Company among the top league of Rs. 5,000+ crore turnover companies in the private sector of India. The Profit After Tax for the year under report stood at Rs. 185.48 crore as against Rs. 91.62 crore in the previous year. The net debt equity ratio of the Company as on March 31, 2023 stood at 1.49. FY 23 marked an increase of 10% in the total steel production of your Company as against the previous year. The Steel Division revenue increased by 21%. Revenue from the Industrial Machinery division stood at Rs. 138 crore as against Rs. 106 crore of the previous year. In the last year, our industrial machinery division has secured the contract to design and manufacture a crane for DGNP, Vizag. The crane has distinction of being Indias heaviest by weight and largest by span, indigenously designed and manufactured EOT Crane. This is a significant milestone for our company, and we are proud to have been selected for such a prestigious project.

Your company shall continue to focus on increasing efficiency, improving quality, and increasing its output in the year ahead. In the last year, your company had executed an Agreement for Sale of the surplus land at Kalwe and Dighe, in Thane district subject to certain terms and conditions. During the year under report, sales consideration of Rs 796.46 crore has been received by Company towards transfer of 45.94 acres land to the buyer. A major portion of sales consideration amount is utilized for reducing debt.

Performance of Our Steel Division

Steel division of your company has had a commendable performance in the first three quarters of the year 2022-23 but witnessed a slight decline in performance towards the last quarter, mainly because of the disturbance created across some of the largest economies in the world. However, the company would like to state that despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and the supply chain disruptions due to the war, the division has continued to meet customer demand for high-quality stainless steel and alloy steel products. Our sales figures have shown a steady increase, and we have been able to maintain our market share in the face of intense competition. In the last year, your company witnessed an increase in 21% in the production of Stainless Steel and 6% in the production of Alloy Steel, compared to the previous year.

One of the key factors contributing to the success of our steel division has been our focus on innovation and efficiency. We have invested in cutting-edge technology and modernized our production processes to ensure that our products are of the highest quality and are produced with minimal waste. This has enabled us to reduce our operating costs, which has in turn allowed us to offer our customers competitive pricing.

Our production processes have become more streamlined, and we have implemented efficient supply chain management practices to ensure timely delivery of our products. As a result, we have been able to meet the growing demand for steel in the market and strengthen our position as one of the leading steel manufacturers in India. The increase in our steel production has not only allowed us to cater to our existing customers but also to explore new business opportunities and expand our market reach. We are proud of this accomplishment and remain committed to sustaining this growth trajectory in the future.

Looking ahead, we are confident that our steel division will continue to perform well in the coming year. We will continue to prioritize innovation and efficiency, and we will explore new markets and expand our product offerings to drive growth. We remain committed to providing our customers with the highest quality steel products and exceptional service, and we are confident that our strong performance will continue to position us as a leader in the industry.

Performance of Our Industrial Machinery Division

Your company is pleased to report that the industrial machinery building division has been performing exceptionally well over the past year. The division has been able to capitalize on the infrastructure growth that is taking place across the country, and this has been a significant driver of its success. Additionally, the division has been proactively exploring new industries where our products can be used, which has enabled us to tap into previously untapped markets. We have been able to leverage our expertise and technological capabilities to offer innovative solutions to our clients in these industries, and this has been a key factor in our success. We are confident that the division will continue to perform well, and we are committed to investing in its growth and development to ensure that it remains at the forefront of the industry.

Our People are our strengths

As a steel manufacturing company, we understand the importance of having a skilled and motivated workforce to achieve our business objectives. Over the past year, we have significantly increased our focus on employee training and skill enhancement programs to better equip our employees with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed. We have invested in various training initiatives, including leadership development programs, technical skills training, and safety training, among others. These programs have been designed to enhance our employees capabilities, boost their confidence, and promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement. We firmly believe that our employees are our most valuable asset, and we are committed to investing in their growth and development to achieve our long-term business goals.

Our CSR Activity update

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an important aspect of modern-day business practices and at Mukand we are committed to giving back to society. Our Corporate Social Responsibility programmes are mainly focused at education improvement and providing a healthy and happy learning environment to the school kids. We believe that access to quality education is a fundamental right of every child, and we are committed to doing our part in improving the education standard of students in our community. Our mathematics classes are just one of the many initiatives that we have undertaken as a part of our CSR activities, and we are proud to have made a positive impact in the lives of these young students. The mathematics classes have been designed to provide personalized attention to each student, with a focus on developing their problem-solving skills and strengthening their foundational understanding of the subject. The classes have been well-received by the students and their parents. These classes are aimed at helping students cover for the loss of education they experienced during the COVID pandemic. As part of our ethos of promoting sports at the school level, your company organized its Third Annual Road Race for the School Students at Shahpur. The event saw the participation of more than 850 students from 43 schools in and around Shahpur. The Road Race was followed by felicitation of the winners and cultural performances by the students. The programme also saw wonderful dance performances by the school kids combining traditional dance forms with contemporary ones and offered a visual treat to the audience. Your company aims to promote physical fitness and sportsmanship among the children. Overall, our Annual Road Race is an important event that serves multiple purposes. It not only promotes physical fitness and sportsmanship among children but also provides a platform for cultural exchange and creativity. We are proud to be associated with this initiative and are committed to continuing our efforts in creating opportunities for children to grow and develop.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Niraj Bajaj

Chairman & Managing Director

DIN : 00028261

Mumbai, May 16, 2023