Amara Raja net up 72% at Rs 26 cr

"The surging demand in both industrial and automotive segments and lead price inflation enabled us to achieve Rs 1,000 crore in revenues,'' according to ARBL chairman Ramachandra N Galla. However, the surging price of crude oil, volatile commodity prices and rising inflation in India might affect the company's growth rate in future, he added.

For the full year ended 2007-08, net profit was up 100.58 per cent to Rs 94.36 crore as compared with Rs 47.04 crore in 2006-07. Revenues grew 83.12 per cent to Rs 1,108.93 crore from Rs 605.57 crore in 2006-07.

According to ARBL financial controller K Suresh, the surge in lead prices accounted for 50 per cent of the revenue growth this year. The interest outgo was minimised through treasury management to ensure a good bottom line.

The industrial valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) battery segment recorded a 37 per cent sales growth. It enjoyed a 26 per cent market share in the automotive original equipment manufacturing segment and the volumes increased 27 per cent year-on-year. The company would increase the manufacturing capacity of 4-wheeler batteries to 5.4 million by the second quarter of the financial year 2009 from the current 4.9 million units per annum.

The combined capacity of two-wheeler batteries and small valve regulated lead acid batteries, which  is 1 million units per annum now, would be enhanced to 3.2 million units. ARBL expanded its reach to Asia Pacific, Africa and West Asia recently, said ARBL managing director Jayadev Galla

The company issued a bonus share for every two shares held, according to a release.