Sharda Motor Industries Ltd
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Q1-2026 Earnings Call
AI Summary
Earnings Call on Aug 11, 2025
Revenue Growth: Sharda Motors reported Q1 FY '26 consolidated revenue of INR 756.2 crores, showing a 10% year-on-year increase.
Profitability: Gross profit grew by 5% YoY to INR 189.5 crores and EBITDA rose 3% YoY to INR 98.4 crores with a margin of 13%.
Exceptional Gain: Profit before tax included an exceptional gain of INR 22.4 crores from the sale of idle land.
Export Momentum: The company added two new export customers this quarter, entering pilot supply phases, with further export growth expected.
Growth Initiatives: The company continues expanding its lightweighting vertical and innovation pipeline, now with 15 patents filed.
Capacity Utilization: Plants are operating at around 80% capacity, with expectations of seasonal ramp-up but flexible capacity management.
Macro & Outlook: Management remains cautious on near-term revenue and margin guidance due to global and domestic uncertainties, including evolving export tariffs and regulatory changes.
The Indian automotive industry showed steady growth in Q1 FY '26, with passenger vehicle, tractor, and three-wheeler production all rising year-on-year. Light commercial vehicle production was flat. Favorable monsoons, improved rural sentiment, and strong export momentum supported sector-wide performance, though management highlighted ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties.
The company delivered strong revenue and profit growth in Q1 FY '26. Revenue rose 10% YoY to INR 756.2 crores, gross profit increased 5%, and EBITDA grew by 3% to INR 98.4 crores. Profit before tax was boosted by a one-off INR 22.4 crores gain from land sale. PAT reached INR 99.9 crores, up from INR 76.8 crores last year. The company outperformed industry growth in gross profit.
The company’s top-line growth outpaced gross profit growth due to product mix effects. Higher sales contributed to revenue, but margin growth was moderate. Management emphasized that gross profit is a better indicator of growth and that absolute margin movement reflects mix and brick sales components.
Exports remain a key growth area, with two new international customers added this quarter and a healthy pipeline of requests for quotes. Initial orders are small, with ramp-up expected over the next 12 to 18 months. Management is monitoring global volatility and tariff changes but remains optimistic about longer-term export momentum, especially targeting the U.S., Europe, and now also the Middle East.
The company is prioritizing the lightweighting vertical, expanding its product range and capabilities, particularly in high-tensile steel control arms. One new customer has been added, and production has started for both electric and ICE vehicles. The innovation pipeline continues to grow, with 15 patents filed to date and ongoing investments in new technology and senior talent to support this business line.
Sharda Motors is maintaining a significant cash surplus, primarily earmarked for future investments in lightweighting, technical collaborations, joint ventures, and acquisitions, especially in powertrain-agnostic businesses. Management prefers a conservative approach to dealmaking and is also balancing shareholder returns with long-term growth opportunities.
There is uncertainty around regulatory changes such as TREM V implementation for tractors and evolving global tariffs affecting exports. Management says it is ready for upcoming changes but cannot provide firm guidance until policies and market conditions stabilize.
Plant capacity utilization is around 80%, with the ability to flex up during peak seasons. The Chakan plant has started contributing to revenue with volume ramp-up expected as linked models gain traction. New senior hires and leadership additions are aimed at executing on multiple growth levers, including exports, lightweighting, and domestic verticals.
Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to Sharda Motor Industries Limited Q1 FY '26 Conference Call hosted by Equirus Securities. [Operator Instructions] Please note that this conference is being recorded.
I now hand the conference over to Mr. Mihir Vora from Equirus Securities. Thank you, and over to you, sir.
Yes. Thank you. Hi, good afternoon, everyone. On behalf of Equirus Securities, I welcome you all to the Q1 FY '26 Post Results Conference for Sharda Motors. From the management side, we have with us Mr. Aashim Relan, CEO and Mr. GD Takkar, Group CFO.
Without further ado, I will now hand over the call to management for opening remarks.
Thank you very much, Mihir. Thanks a lot. Good afternoon, everyone. I extend a warm welcome to all the participants on today's call. I'm joined by our Group CEO, Mr. Aashim Relan and Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Ashwani Maheshwari. I trust you have had the opportunity to review our earnings results, and investor presentation, which are available on the stock exchanges as well as on the company's website.
Before going into the financials, I would like to give you a brief overview of the Indian automotive industry's performance in Q1 FY '26. The sector continued to exhibit steady performance across various segments, reflecting strong growth prospects.
In first quarter of this financial year, Indian automobile industry witnessed growth across most segments, passenger vehicle production reaching 12.44 lakh units, reflecting continued demand resilience in the segment. Light commercial vehicle production stood at 158,000 units, which is broadly in line with last year same quarter. Two-wheeler production inched up by close to 1% Y-o-Y totaling 59 lakh units, indicating a stable demand environment in both urban and rural markets, and 3-wheeler segment maintained its upward trajectory with production rising by close to 10% Y-o-Y to 2.56 lakh units, driven by increasing adoption for shared mobility and last mile transportation.
Tractor production stood out with a strong 17% Y-o-Y growth, reaching 2.94 lakh units, underpinned by favorable monsoon patterns and improved rural sentiment. Overall, the industry is expected to continue its growth in FY '26 driven by stable macroeconomic conditions, permit spending, normal monsoon, improved vehicle financing and sustained export momentum. That said, the sector remains allowed to global economic and geopolitical uncertainties.
Now I will shift focus to the operational and financial performance of the company. On a consolidated basis, we reported revenues of INR 756.2 crores in first quarter with a Y-o-Y growth. Our gross profit for the quarter came in at INR 189.5 crores, reflecting a growth of 5% over Q1 FY '25. Gross profit is the better indicator of our growth performance and the company outperformed the industry in Q1. EBITDA for quarter 1 FY '26 stood at INR 98.4 crores, showing 3% growth compared to the 1% in the same quarter last year with an EBITDA margin at 13%. Profit before tax for the quarter stood at INR 130.1 crores after accounting for exceptional gain of INR 22.4 crores on sale of one of the idle industrial land parcel situated at Haridwar, Uttarakhand and our share in profit from joint ventures and associates.
Same quarter last year, profit before tax stood at INR 102.4 crores. Our PAT was INR 99.9 crores for Q1 FY '26 as against INR 76.8 crores in quarter 1 of FY '25. Building on the momentum from previous quarters, we continued to make strong progress on both organizational and business development funds during first quarter of '16 as well. Following the successful establishment of our global business and lightweighting verticals in financial year '24 and '25, respectively.
We have further strengthened our leadership team by onboarding Mr. Ashwani Maheshwari as Deputy Managing Director of the company. We have also been progressing well on building partnerships in key focus areas of growth will share further updates in this regard as we move forward. Additionally, we have strengthened our innovation pipeline by filing a total of 15 patents to date, up from 13 previously. With this we can open the floor for Q&A.
[Operator Instructions] The first question is from the line of Preet from InCred AMC.
My first question would be on the revenue. If you could give the breakup of segment-wise revenue -- segment and industry-wise revenue breakup? And also, if you can mention how much was the export revenue for quarter 1?
Thank you for the question. This is Aashim, and good evening to everyone. So on a quarterly basis, we don't give out segment wise revenues. And last year FY '25, I think GD sir should have the breakup. So GD sir, you could just share on FY '25 just as guidance numbers.
Sure. Thank you very much. So overall, in FY '25, our emission control vertical contributed 88% of the top line, followed by suspension vertical, which contributed than supply chain management vertical 2% and rest 1% from other some miscellaneous items. This was the breakup of segment-wise contribution to the top line last year.
Okay, sir. My next question would be on the lineup. I can see there is a quarterly depreciation rate decrease apart from land, which you have shown in the exceptional item, have you sold any other assets in current quarter?
No. So in the current quarter, in terms of land parcel, that was the only sale which happened.
So if you could let us know why was there a dip in the depreciation for this quarter.
No. So in terms of depreciation, if you look at quarter -- so the depreciation amount stands at INR 13.5 crores in the quarter versus INR 12.9 crores last year. This is on account of the overall increase in CapEx and net of definitely a small marginal depreciation on the asset which has been sold.
Okay. No, actually, it was INR 16.6 crores in March quarter. That's why I was asking.
Yes. So INR 16.6 crores was on the March quarter because of the additions, which were done towards the end of the year. So this quarter's number is net of the depreciation, which has been removed on account of the disposals which have been done.
And then there is a small portion of tolling sale also, which gets reported in other income and corresponding depreciation on that also gets moved. And therefore, this is a combination of many factors and therefore, looking lower. But overall basis, you should look at the yearly numbers, which gives the right indication of how much will be the overall annual depreciation.
Okay, sir. Got it. And next question was, there was a 10% year-on-year jump in the revenue, but in gross margin upfront, there was only 5% jump. So your volume growth will be around 5%? Or was there any product mix difference, that's why we had dip in the gross margin?
Aashim, sir, should I take this question?
Yes, you can go ahead, take this question.
Sure. So yes, you are right. Our top line was higher by 10%, whereas our gross margin was -- gross profit was higher by 5%. This is the right way of looking at our growth is the gross profit, which is the better indicator.
And there is an impact of product mix of higher sales with brick and therefore, top line is higher, whereas gross profit margin in absolute terms are 5%. And if you compare this growth with the industry growth, then you would get the better idea of how the company is performing as top line will have many other components, including product mix plus brick sales, which is one of the components of our top line.
[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Anubhav Mukherjee from Prescient Capital.
Sir, what I understand is that the TREM V implementation date for tractors is till April 2026. So how are you viewing this opportunity? Do you think that the deadline will hold or like will there be some extension? So can you give some color on -- because what I understand is that TREM V can be a big opportunity for us. So what's your take on this?
Yes. So the former date so far has remained to be the same. However, a change seems likely from customer feedback and now we are in August, but the nature of change is very difficult to guide because there's no formal communication as well as the notified date still remains as April 1, '26. So our readiness is there, but we do anticipate some change. We don't know how and what kind of change. And we'll -- as we learn more from the government side, we keep updated on this.
So do you have some view on what the change will be -- will they extend like 25 to 50-horsepower tractors which like can reduce the opportunities like for us significantly. How do you like -- do you have a sense of the kind of change that can come in?
No. I don't think we would be the right people to be able to guide there, right, because there's no direct contact with the government because we are just making one part, and this is, of course, much larger, right? And the tractor makers are the ones who are taking the lead on this.
So our knowledge on this is not so up to date as it would be on the tractor maker side. So I think it's best to just look out for how the government goes about it and best to stick to government guidance, right? And as per now, there's no change in guidance, but we're also sensing some kind of change, hard to really estimate what it would be at this term.
Okay. And sir, on the export side, can you share if there are any new developments in terms of any new order win or product development that should be helpful.
Sure. So this quarter has been very good for us. We've added two new customers. In fact, one customer, we were in touch with for almost 3 years now. And we finally got the first business. This is a leading Japanese construction equipment company so falls, right, in our focus area, and it was one of our focus customers to acquire as well as we've added another customer who is a large heavy industry mission company.
These are first orders that we've received. So there are on the smaller side, pilot side as the first order, first relationship is generally on the smaller side. And we do expect the SOP to be between 12 to 18 months from now. And we continue to have a good RFQ pipeline. I think good work is being done on the export front, and we do expect good momentum to pick up there.
At the same time, I think all of us are aware that currently, the geopolitical tensions are very high, and there is a lot of volatility around the world. However, we are really optimistic that they should settle down, right, and stabilize further.
Great. And sir, we also had an order win from like one of the largest genset manufacturers. And my understanding is that this is U.S.-based. So does this new tariff that's coming very suddenly, does it change -- anything on that order thing?
Yes. So just one thing that that's not from the biggest genset maker, the biggest engine maker, right? So it's a very large company. And yes, it is U.S.-based. So it just happened. I think that there's been a couple of days, and I think this whole geopolitical thing that's happened in the last couple of weeks, right? It's is very hard to see the impact of it. And we are very hopeful that there should be some stabilization, right, in the overall global scenario also.
So I think it's too difficult to guide because it just happened, right, very recent. And our SOP is for the early calendar year, next year. So I think everyone is in wait and watch. And everyone is hoping that there should be some stability. And I think as things stabilize, it would be better to guide on that.
The next question is from the line of Basanth Patil N P from TCG AMC.
Sir, can you elaborate on the content per vehicle, how it moves up actually? What kind of the road map once we could sense actually by implementing BS7 or TREM V or even CV emission norm. So what kind of the realization per fit enhancement you will see actively. So if you give some color on that thought, that would be more helpful.
Sure. Thank you for the question. So I'll just go one by one. First wheel is beginning from BS7. Right now, BS7, the norms, the way they're drafted would be an indicator. So we can look at what's happening in Europe as a reference point. And in Europe, there is a content increase. And it really varies depending on the engine strategy. And giving the number on BS7, will not be apt for now.
I think it will be better to wait for the guidelines as well as the strategy before we give a content reference point. However, it would increase, right? How much it would increase by, I think, let things materialize and then we'll talk more on that. On the CV side, CV side, we have two products now. We've begun or we are beginning with temperature-controlled pipes and that's an adjacency, and that's our first focus area.
We feel that by getting into these products, which we've successfully now done, we will be able to not only sell this adjacency to the construction equipment industry, but there's also a use of this in the commercial wise as well as the big export market. For this, the number ranges a lot because as we've seen different construction vehicles have different piping and so on. So a reference point as a fixed number is not there.
Now coming to TREM V, what we had guided before is anywhere between 5,000 to 15,000 depending on the engine size and depending on, again, the OEM strategy. And lastly, for our current lightweighting content, which is mainly control lamp, it's between 2,000 to 8,000.
Okay. Sir, and one more thing. Because of this rare earth metal what actually, which is noise around the corner, so will this impact on our procurement for catalytic converters, so that will lead to any disturbance to OEMs?
Yes. So nothing that we have seen so far. And also the procurement of catalyst, right, is done directed by the OEMs only, right? So we are not much involved in it, and we haven't heard of anything. I'm not sure if the same metals are used in these catalysts, but not heard anything, so it seems unlikely.
Okay. Sir, just one last question. So if you allow me, sir, what is your thought on disbursing your cash? Actually, you are sitting on a huge amount of cash, actually, almost INR 800-odd-plus crores hunting for acquisitions quite a long time actually. As an investor, what we should look into, what kind of -- still it is unclear or how one should take away?
Yes, sure. So our cash surplus, our first preference is to utilize it for augmenting our light-weighting verticals. We see a very huge opportunity there. And we also see a very good opportunity in M&A for powertrain agnostic, right? And when I say M&A, I must emphasize that I mean technical agreements, joint ventures and acquisitions, not just acquisitions alone, right? And that's definitely the first preference, and we would be focused on that. In terms of acquisitions, there's no fixed time line. We just want to be very careful with the deals valuations.
And would want to be conservative here because for the long term, I think it is better, that we get the right thing. We do have many talks and interactions ongoing, and we will keep updated as something materializes. Till then, we have already expanded also the dividend policy, right?
And we would keep focused on having a balance between return to shareholders as well as investing in future areas, and that would continue. And this surplus also, we are seeing that at the right time would become a strength where we could maximize many opportunities when the private markets adjust a little bit. So this may turn out to be a very big strength also in the future.
[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Kartik from Suyash Advisors.
Just wanted to clarify a couple of things. One is on the export orders that you have won, the engine maker that you spoke about, would any of it be covered under USMCA? What would be the -- maybe just for the record just to clarify, please.
Sure. So you're deferring to the export business that the large export business that we've won, 7 million. So I think there are so many changes that are happening, right? So it's very hard to even keep up with the changes, right, especially because this is not active. This is still 6 months out, right?
So when we also now reach out to the customer, they say that we have many other things going on and clarification and so on. would be better, either once there is more clarity and stability right? Or it is closer to SOP, right? Like especially the way that this year has gone globally every time these tariffs are changing rules are changing, that all of us are aware. So it will be difficult to guide on specific things regarding this, right? It keeps changing all the time.
Yes. No, the only reason I ask is, in case you want to estimate -- would this be on an FOB basis, bill of lading basis, how exactly should one think about? That's the only thing. I'm trying to understand the mechanic rather than the final implication. I understand that if it's 50%, there will be some hit everywhere.
Yes, yes. So I think that the customer is very adaptable, right? It has production facilities everywhere in Europe, U.S., Mexico, everywhere, right? And everyone will adapt to the optimal closer to that, right? And what the optimal will be, we also don't know. And we got the indication that they are also going to add based on how the rules pan out. and it will be better to look at it closer to time, given the dynamic nature of the geopolitical tariffs, rules, regulations that we are all seeing in the...
Perfect. Got it. So adapt is the key word here. Yes. Sir, the other thing that I wanted to understand slightly better from you is that we are seeing a lot of senior hires now. The Deputy Managing Director is one more interesting one. So some thoughts on how exactly are you visualizing the future going ahead with all these leadership level additions?
Yes. So our goal is to now execute on all growth levers. We have so many growth leaders ahead of us. We have the lightweighting vertical. We have M&A, we have exports as well as domestic emission adjacency. So there's so many growth levers and the idea is to strengthen the senior management as well as processes to execute on all of them. And the senior hires are all focused on exactly executing on these growth levers because we are very excited on the opportunity. Now we need more hands on deck really to get this done, and that's the thought process behind it.
I mean is the mandate new customer additions also? Would there be something possible on that side because there are certain gaps on your customer metrics, if I may put it like that.
Absolutely. All growth levers, right? And the way I said it, that this is how we look at it. We have to expand on light weighting, we have to execute on M&A. We have to build the exports. We have to get into domestic emission adjacencies. And all of that, if you see that good momentum is there, and we will keep building on that for different senior people have joined for different [ things ].
The next question is from the line of Sanket Kelaskar from Ashika Stock Service.
My first question is on our non-PV segment. So we expect our non-PV to contribute 80% on our revenue share. So I wanted to understand like...
Sorry, I think -- did he get cut off? Can you just repeat?
So the current participant have got disconnected. [Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Manpreet Arora from Aurora Wealth Advisors.
So Aashim, on the gross profit side, we have grown 5% this quarter, and we have outperformed the industry in some way. So what is driving this outperformance? Is it because we are part of the models that are selling more? Or are some of the other verticals that we are trying to scale up are doing better? Or are we gaining market share? What is exactly driving this outperformance, if you can help there?
Sure. So I think in 1 quarter, and especially because outperformance is like literally 2%, 3% for this quarter. So diagnosing specific reason that this is why there's 2%, it won't be right for me. However, in general, if I was to look at the rest of the year and then 5 years, I can guide on a few points that the rest of the year now on new suspension plant has started. So as it ramps up, and the lightweighting programs that we had announced last quarter.
As they come in, there would be, of course, some benefit from that. As well as our first temperature controlled pipes, which are going into CV, the SOP is expected in Q3. So that's going to be something on top of what we are already doing. And hopefully, if the export business starts then that could be something on top of that. The rest minor outperformance here and there can always be that some models are doing better or some slight gains on PVs, LCDs and so on, but not worth getting into the details of that.
Now for the next 5 years, where we see outperformance is definitely scaling up this lightweighting vertical and that we are hopeful in market share, which already we've been gaining market share in control arms as well as customers. and adding content into what we can do in lightweighting by our internal R&D as well as joint ventures, technical agreements then of course, the M&A for localization exports growth, domestic emission adjacencies growth and all of this is something that would come on top of the underlying growth.
Yes. The reason I was asking was because primarily on the passenger vehicle side, we are hearing about slowdowns in inventory at the -- in the channel. And therefore, we've seen muted numbers reported by passenger vehicle OEMs. But still we have done a growth. So I was trying to understand some more from that aspect.
Understood. Understood. No, no, understood. And I think looking at it on a quarter-by-quarter basis is not the most accurate for components, especially like us because there's such a long value chain also. And our key markets right now are PV and LCV, right? And LCV, I think is like what roughly flat or slightly down year-on-year as a market. and would have like, I think, 1%, 2% or 3% growth, right? So yes, so a little bit of outperformance is there. But best to look at the long-term annual as well as going forward to get better.
Sure. My next question is on the lightweighting vertical. And so our current focus is on the suspension arms side, is that current on the lightweighting side.
Yes. So our current business is on control arms, where we've added one customer. Now we've also started the SOP, which is going into one of the leading EVs as well as that same product will be used in ICE. So it's a classic powertrain agnostic product, what we've been going for. At the same time, we see a very large opportunity in lightweighting and to add various more products and content within the car. And that's where most of our time is going to build on the lightweighting vertical.
And lightweighting as a theme is just becoming stronger and stronger due to the requirements in weight reduction, whether it's EVs, whether it's ICE, whether it's hybrid, for range cost, for safety, for mileage, everything put together. And the technology has sharply evolved across the world, but especially in China and Korea. And there is a lot that needs to change right now for the Indian market also. So we are very excited about that, and that's where a lot of time and work is going in so that we can offer even more content.
Yes. So just to understand this a bit more, Aashim. So let's say, on the control arm side, what exactly are we offering or doing on the lightweighting side? Is it just a new material like specialized steel that we use that makes it lighter? Is that the skill that we bring in? Or are there other complexities to this whole lightweighting thing that we bring in as an expertise?
Yes. So our current internal capabilities lies in high tensile strength steel and the stamping welding of that. Second is on quality controls for safety products, whether this is a safety product, very similar to how we have quality control in some of our other products as well as we have internal R&D capabilities.
Now we are augmenting this with new processes and newer technologies. And I will share more of that as we are successful in winning some business in those areas, which would enable much more lightweighting, not just in control arms and other areas as well, and that would be a value add.
[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of from Sanket Kelaskar from Ashika Stock Service.
I might have lost connection before. So my question may feel a bit repetitive to you. So it was on the non-PV segment. So we have a guidance that our non-PV side may contribute 80% in our revenue mix. So I wanted to understand what is the time line when we will achieve this? And second is what are the initiatives we are taking?
Sure. I think the spirit of the 80% guidance is to derisk from potential EV penetration into PV, right? So that was the thought process of that. And we've already made substantial progress, about 40% now comes within emissions from CV plus 5% is from a mix of off-highway tractors and exports and roughly 9%, 10% is coming in from lightweighting now.
So the initiatives that we are taking, if you see almost everything that we are doing, for the future is centered around this only. So if we go on to lightweighting, lightweighting could come from PV as well, but it is powertrain agnostic. If you're going to exports and you look at our export focus areas, it's on the off-highway side as well as on the commercial vehicle and the genset side.
So as that starts coming in, it is, of course, going to outpace the base that we have right now. and that is also going to add further to it as well as the adjacencies now that we've gotten into our applicable launch CV and off highway that is the pipes that we've started, those will also be applicable in commercial vehicles and so on.
In terms of the time line on when this would be 80%, I think the goal is not to have a fixed time line, but to grow in areas which have less EV risk, right? And there's a continued effort to do so.
Sure, sir. Sir, my second question is on our various JVs. So one of them prominent ones being ABS pressure. So I want to understand like when do we expect these JVs to contribute significantly on PAT level? And what is the contribution from ABS pressure as well?
Yes. So I think it remains to be from a profit standpoint fairly small, right? It would be like 1% or 2%, maybe it's like around 1.5% of our consolidated profit. And our goal was to stabilize it. The mechanics of the JV such that we, of course, are not in management control. So from a consolidated PAT basis only come into a PAT and the revenues don't come into our P&L.
And here, there is a new program that has been awarded to the JV. And this is, in fact, a localization program for an international OEM, right, and utilizing India as a base for engine, and that should come in somewhere towards the Q4 of 2026. And our focus is to look at various options on how we could get better contributions from this JV. And this is the only large active JV that we have.
Okay, sir. Sir, on the export side, which countries are we looking for as an export potential on emission besides U.S. and Europe? I mean, which are we actively looking it as an active opportunity.
Currently, the core focus is on U.S. and Europe. And given how things are panning out, the Middle East has started sharing a lot of inquiries, that's something that we were not proactively going for, but just how the geopolitical situation is changing. The Middle East market has started sharing a lot of queries as well. But apart from that, it remains to be U.S.
Okay. That's great, sir. Sir, lastly, on TREM V, I'm assuming if everything goes as planned, I mean, with respect to time line as well as with respect to nature. So how much market share are we aiming for in the tractor segment if TREM V resumes?
Yes. So we'll always be aiming, as I've said, from market leadership there, right? However, we are also looking out for the government to guide on TREM V. So would it be better to look forward to the guidance on that.
The next question is from the line of Satya from International Clothing House.
I just want to understand what kind of growth are we expecting going ahead? We are doing approximately INR 2,800 crores last year we did. Do we expect crossing INR 3,500 crores this year?
Sorry, can you just repeat your question, please?
I was asking like we did a revenue of approximately INR 2,800 crores last year. Like how much growth can we expect? Can we expect crossing INR 3,200 crores?
Sure. We don't guide particularly in the short term, right? And for an annual basis and at the same time, especially, given the global scenario as well as the domestic scenario, it would be very difficult to guide on anything as a firm number given the dynamic nature of the industry as well as largely of what is happening on the geopolitics. And in general, as a philosophy, we don't give firm guidance on annual numbers.
And even on the margin front as well, like the margin improvement that we expect to come in?
No guidance numbers. We would continue to be on the range that we have, but no general guidance like that.
And one more thing, we started with the Chakan plant in July or June, I guess. So when can we expect the contribution from that contributing into the revenue?
Already, it started. Of course, the SOP starts with low volumes and there's a gradual ramp-up. And as the models that it is catering to, as they perform, the revenues would be linked to that. So giving a specific number in the first year would not probably be correct. But yes, it started and there would be a ramp-up and revenues would go as the models because it is linked to 2, 3 models, it would go in line with that.
And any idea on the capacity utilization that you're working on, on the overall level for the plants?
Yes. We generally work around 80% of capacity utilization. Maybe GD Sir would have the latest number, GD sir, over to you.
Yes. Thank you. So overall, capacity where we are operating at is roughly 80%, you're right.
Are we expecting it to ramp up further because the festive season is coming up and everything is there in the quarter 2 and quarter 3? Do we expect this to maybe go from 80 to 85?
I think that's generally an average number, right? And it's seasonal, like how the auto industry goes, right? Definitely the festive season have larger volumes and as the industry goes. And we don't look at capacity per se so closely, right, because our capacity gets augmented fairly easily.
Next question is from the line of Mihir Vora from Equirus Securities.
So Aashim, sir, my question was basically, say, hypothetically, tariffs remain high from U.S. So U.S. currently would be importing a lot from China as well. So is it possible for U.S. in terms of do they have that capacity to manufacture the or systems in U.S. itself or they are dependent on other countries? So how to look about that?
Yes. So I don't think that so much capacity would be available in the U.S. because all our focused products they don't make in America as of now, right? And these are not even products that would be for a second priority when I look at it from the Make in America or Make in U.S. strike, that is where. However, this is so dynamic right now, how these changes and how it moves forward, we have to see currently, of course, with the very high tariffs, which are where it looks like that there is some kind of, let's say, this advantage.
However, that can change very good also, right, as we've seen. So best to wait and look at it once things stabilize, right? And then adapt and remain flexible and center the strategy around that, right? So internally also when we discuss this, we have to adapt with how the geopolitical situation settles. And I think this opportunity would remain open. They have to source most of it from China, India, whichever other country that they go for.
And sir, basically, when we are talking about starting the exports from quarter 4 onwards for the emission components to the North American player. So are we hearing that there is any kind of delay or it is status quo right now?
Right now, the customers guided us just to wait for stabilization, right, because this is all so recent, right, that there is no firm guidance. And once things stabilize, I think that will be better to wait and watch on that.
All right. And the second question is on this domestic suspension business where major of the orders which we have won is for the suspension control arms part. But apart from that, what other products are we in terms of, say, in an advanced stage with OEMs where we believe that product will also be added, say, in a 1 or 2 year kind of a time frame?
Yes. So these products have a shorter lead time from RFQ to production. And then, of course, emissions, emissions begins many years before and as it has a huge test cycle.
Our first focus is on augmenting our technology because while we are playing in the lightweighting space, we want to play in areas which are technology centered and not just any traditional stamping kind of businesses. So we are working right now on the technology front, right? And once that is done, I think the opportunity size that would open up is going to be fairly large.
All right. So like currently, it would be only control arms, which would be the priority?
Yes. Currently, the priority is to gain market share on control arms. Already, we've gained market share, and we are very hopeful that we'll continue on that journey. And parallelly to focus on the technology that is required to change the products on the Indian market right now from a lightweighting perspective.
Ladies and gentlemen, we'll take this as the last question for today. I now hand the conference over to the management for closing comments.
Thank you very much. Thanks a lot. We appreciate the participation of all the participants in our earnings call today. We trust that we have addressed all your queries. Should you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to our Investor Relations advisers, E&Y. Thank you very much, and you have a pleasant evening. Thanks a lot.
Thank you. On behalf of Equirus Securities, that concludes this conference. Thank you for joining us, and you may now disconnect your lines.