Bold bets

GRASIM INDUSTRIES has astoriedlegacy ofbusiness transfor-mation overtheyears. Grasim's bold bets to create additional capacity and re-imagine business models have led to another year ofvery strong performance.

Grasim's revenue from operations for FY 2018-19, in- creased to Rs 72,970.6 crore which was 31 per cent higher than that ofthe previousyear(Rs 55,893.5 crore in FY 2017-18). The consolidated EBITDA increased to Rs 12,819.9 crore 
for FY 2018-19 which was 18 per cent higher than that ofthe pre- vious year (Rs 10,883.37 crore in FY 2017-18). On a standalone basis, revenue from operations for FY 2018-19 increased to Rs 20,550.4 crore which was 30 per cent higher than that of the previous year (Rs 15,785.8 crore in FY 2017-18). The standalone EBITDAinereasedtoRs4,639.1 crore for FY 2018-19 which was 31 per cent higher than ofthe previous year (Rs 3,541.5 crore in FY 2017-18). fie company gave outa dividend of Rs 7 per equity share ofRs 2 each ofthe company (dividend@350 per cent ofthe face value), forthe financial year ended 31 March 2019. 

"The year 2018-19 has been one ofstrategicdecisions and partnerships; with manytransformational business transac- tions: Vodafone-Idea merger, purchase of Binani Cement, acquisition ofAleris in Metals and Söktas, in Textiles. Con-sequently, we are globallythethird-largest cement company (outside of01ina), andamongthe top 3 telecomplayers in the world," said Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Grasim Industries. Speaking specifically about Grasim, Birla said Grasim's leadership position in the viscose and chemicals segments would get further strengthened by the expansion plans un- der implementation. "Simultaneously,continued focus on enhancing share ofvalue added products across businesses would lead to better quality ofearnings. I believe, going forward, Grasim will continue its unrelenting pursuit of enhancing shareholder value, and growth in earnings and revenues," he added. The Viscose business reported another year ofexceptional performance as reflected in operational and financial num- bers contributed by Viscose Staple Fibre (VSF) as well as Viscose Filament Yarn (V FY). 

The Companys fashion brand LIVAis seen a lotofsuccess, LIVAwhich was predominantly awomen'sapparel brand, has been extended to thehome tex- tile segment also. 'Ihe launch ofLivaeco' as an eco-enhanced variant of'Liva', is a step towards giving further boost to the companys sustainability credentials, while retaining the fashion quotient ofthe brand. Viscose net revenue grew by 23 per cent YoY to Rs 10,325 crore in FY19. EBITDAroseto Rs 2,052 croreup22 percentYoY. 

With Linen Club, Grasim has revolutionised the Indian textile market by popularising linen in India across a wide customer base

The textiles business, established in 1949 as a textile unit, Jayshree Textiles is a pro-ducer ofpremium textiles (lin- en fabric, linen yarn and wor-Sted yarn) in the linen and wool business in India. Through the brand Linen Club, Grasim has significantly revolutionised the Indian textile market by popu- larising linen in India across a wide customer base. The linen business has a created a strong foothold in the Indian market; it enjoys 37 per cent market share in the linen yarn segment and 45 per cent market share in the linen fabric segment. During the year, the com-pany also acquired 100 per cent stake in Soktas India, as part ofits strategy to strengthen its leadership in the linen fabric market in India. Textile net revenue grew by 41 per cent Yd to Rs 1,501 crore in FY19.EBITDArosetoRs139 crore up 125 per cent YoY. 
— Siddharth Sh