Top Challengers - The Indian Hume Pipe Co Ltd

Established in 1926, The Indian Hume Pipe Co Ltd (IHP) has a network of over 20 factories and more than 100 projects under execution in India. It has earned a reputation for excellence through stringent quality control, timely execution and continuous R&D. Rajas R Doshi, Chairman & Managing Director, IHP, attributes its improved operating margins for FY14 to diversification of territories to reduce dependence on only a few states and expanding the market reach of pipe products to new territories. ¨We were able to utilise capacities more efficiently and add extra capacity,¨ he adds. ¨Besides, we focused our resources on projects where there was sufficient funding and keenness from the customer to complete them.¨ He reveals that IHP kept its cost of borrowing as low as possible through financial discipline. IHP has increased its balance orderbook to Rs 2,598 crore, a growth of 66 per cent from the previous year. With the new government giving priority to infrastructure projects such as drinking water and irrigation, funding is expected to be secure. ¨Owing to our CARE rating of A+, we have the ability to raise additional loans to meet working capital needs to execute the additional order inflow,¨ Doshi concludes. Particulars Net sales PBDIT Net profit FY14 (Rs. crore) 819.00 67.25 24.06 Growth % over FY13 17.71 25.54 5.30 Orderbook for 2013-14: Rs. 2,598 crore