ETMarkets Management Talk | Solar focus is a lucrative opportunity for wires and cables industry: Rajesh Jain, CFO, RR Kabel

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

The multi-billion dollar opportunity in India’s push for solar energy is also a lucrative opportunity for the wires and cables industry. “The long-term outlook is promising, given the increasing adoption of solar energy in residential and commercial sectors. We anticipate sustained growth as demand for specialized wiring solutions rises,” says Rajesh Jain, CFO, RR Kabel.

In this interview with ET Markets, Jain also talks about the Q3 numbers and company outlook. Edited excerpts

Your revenue in Q3 went up 10.4% YoY but PAT fell 0.7% YoY as EBITDA margin fell below the 7% mark. What dragged margins and what is the outlook for FY25?

While we achieved a commendable 10.4% year-over-year increase in revenue, the company experienced a slight decline in Profit After Tax (PAT) and a dip in our EBITDA margin below the 7% mark. The main factor impacting our margins in Q3 FY24 was the volatility in raw material prices, which exerted pressure on our gross margins. Despite proactive measures to mitigate this challenge, including strategic procurement practices and operational efficiencies, we faced a temporary setback in maintaining margins at the desired level. However, our 9M margins have significantly improved, rising from 5.4% in 9M FY23 to 7.2% in 9M FY24, reflecting our commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and optimizing cost structures over the long term. Looking ahead to FY25, we remain optimistic about our prospects. Our robust sales growth, surpassing industry standards, underscores the strength of our