Economy & Market

SHUBHANGI TIRODKAR of Bakul Corporation has been a dealer since 1975

Published

15 years ago

January 8, 2011

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Dealers and stockists are the vital link of cement industry. They are the people, who are in constant touch with the user industry. They can be rightly said to be the ‘pulse of the industry’. Through this column, we bring to you the voice of the dealers and stockists, featuring their suggestions, expectations and much more, for a better tomorrow for the industry.SHUBHANGI TIRODKAR of Bakul Corporation has been a dealer since 1975. Bakul Corporation is now an exclusive Ultratech Cement stockiest. The company supplies cement in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Raighad and surrounding areas. When asked about the largest selling cement. Tirodkar replied, "we are exclusive Ultratech Cement stockiest, and it is the largest selling brand, due to its ability to supply more quantity (with rail, road and sea routes) along with the brand image has ensured its position as the leading brand in Mumbai region". "PPC sells more", replied Tirodkar and added that in OPC cement, ISI code specifies only 33, 43 and 53 Grade of which 53 Grade is the largest selling grade in Mumbai. The volatility in cement prices affects business and "price depends on the demand supply and the season," said Tirodkar. "The customers are price conscious, but they are willing to pay a premium for quality and smooth supply," said Tirodkar. Fifty per cent of sales from Bakul Corporation is to institutional sales and retail sales. The company’s monthly dispatch is 2,000 bags (in stock at counter). To improve sales, Tirodkar suggested "better marketing and timely dispatches". When asked about packaging, Tirodkar said bag should come with handle to avoid loss of cement during handling and laminated bags should be used. Tirodkar said inadequate railway infrastructure in terms of rakes, unloading platforms and labour issues are the causes of logistic delays. About the government move to GST, Tirodkar said, "the GST will be very beneficial to the cement industry only if the octroi and CESS are removed and there is a uniform taxation structure".

Concrete

WCA Welcomes SiloConnect as associate corporate member

Published

3 hours ago

April 13, 2026

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The World Cement Association (WCA) has announced SiloConnect as its newest associate corporate member, expanding its network of technology providers supporting digitalisation in the cement industry. SiloConnect offers smart sensor technology that provides real-time visibility of cement inventory levels at customer silos, enabling producers to monitor stock remotely and plan deliveries more efficiently. The solution helps companies move from reactive to proactive logistics, improving delivery planning, operational efficiency and safety by reducing manual inspections. The technology is already used by major cement producers such as Holcim, Cemex and Heidelberg Materials and is deployed across more than 30 countries worldwide.

Concrete

TotalEnergies and Holcim Launch Floating Solar Plant in Belgium

Published

3 hours ago

April 13, 2026

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TotalEnergies and Holcim have commissioned a floating solar power plant in Obourg, Belgium, built on a rehabilitated former chalk quarry that has been converted into a lake. The project has a generation capacity of 31 MW and produces around 30 GWh of renewable electricity annually, which will be used to power Holcim’s nearby industrial operations. The project is currently the largest floating solar installation in Europe dedicated entirely to industrial self-consumption. To ensure minimal impact on the surrounding landscape, more than 700 metres of horizontal directional drilling were used to connect the solar installation to the electrical substation. The project reflects ongoing collaboration between the two companies to support industrial decarbonisation through renewable energy solutions and innovative infrastructure development.

Concrete

Cortec® Corporation applauded for its strong safety performance

Published

3 hours ago

April 13, 2026

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Cortec® Corporation has been recognised for its strong safety performance, receiving its sixth Governor’s Workplace Safety Award for its outstanding performance in 2025. As a Silver Achievement recipient, the company continues to maintain safety metrics well above national industry averages, an impressive accomplishment for a chemical manufacturing organisation. This achievement reflects Cortec’s proactive approach to workplace safety, focused on early hazard detection and employee involvement. The company will be formally recognised at the Minnesota Safety and Health Conference in May, highlighting how industrial companies are effectively strengthening workplace safety standards.