RAJESH AGGARWAL, Rajesh Constro Trading Co Pvt Ltd, has been a dealer for the past 17 years and deals in Bharathi Cement (53 Grade, 43 Grade, PPC), Jaypee Cement (53 grade, 43 Grade, PPC), JK Super PPC, JK 43 Grade OPC, Coromandel (Loose cement, 43 Grade, 53 Grade, PPC), Birla Orient (PPC), Ultratech Cement (53 Grade, 43 Grade,PPC, Birla RMC and Birla Cement Fly-Ash Bricks.
"Volatility in price does not affect us", said Aggarwal and opined that the manufacturer should increase the incentive on non-trade sales. Due to heavy competition we have to pass on part of the incentive to the clients. In case of trade sales, the manufacturer should pass the sales promoters commission on the selling price of cement so that dealers can benefit from the price rise. "The excise duty should be on unit basis and not on MRP basis as it puts pressure on retailer’s margin", replied Aggarwal, when asked about his expectation from the coming budget. The company’s monthly sales is about is 3,000-4,000 mt. To improve sales, Aggarwal that there should be increase on incentives on trade sales & commission on non-trade sales. The incentives and commission has remained the same for the last 15 years. It should be increased considerably since the dealer expenses have increased manifold over the years. Sales can be improved by timely delivery. Since, the manufacturer delivers the cement on delivery basis, increase in diesel/petrol prices does not affect our profits, pointed out Aggarwal and added in Pune, OPC sales are more and 43 grade cement is preferred by the clients. Considering the labour issues Aggarwal said, "present-packing is good enough for bulk consumption, but looking at the labour problem, 25 kg packaging would be preferable for retail outlets". Rajesh Aggarwal is the president of Cement Dealers Association, Pune.