Economy & Market

Capitalising on brand value

Published

13 years ago

February 29, 2012

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In a market driven by customer loyalty and quality consciousness, it is pertinent for a product to establish its unique brand identity. Most of the products in the consumer durable and the FMCG segments have their own brand identity. India has the second largest cement industry in the world, which caters to a burgeoning housing and infrastructure sector. Hence, it has become imperative for cement players to have their own innovative branding and marketing stra-tegies in order to differentiate their products. The skill here lies not just in capturing a market and selling a commodity, but creating a distinct brand space for the commodity.The cover story in this issue focuses on the importance of branding and marketing in the cement industry. Strategies evolved by cement companies for positioning their product as a unique brand include in-film branding and celebrity endorsements. Also, unique taglines have also become the USPs of certain cement brands. For example, Ambuja Cement’s brand is built around the concept of "strength", Binani Cement’s brand is based on "durability" whereas Ultratech has positioned its brand as the "Engineers Choice".A concrete road offers several advantages as compared to a road with a bituminous surface. The advantages of a concrete road are many, including longer maintenance free duration and savings in fuel. Concrete surfaces are also not impacted due to water and the bad effects of oil and lubricant spillage. New techniques and technologically advanced equipments have ensured that concrete roads are easy to build. In the present issue, we include a special report on concretization of roads which spells out the advantages of concrete roads.It is also a matter of pleasure and pride for us that the Indian Cement Review has been conferred with the 4th Vishwakarma Award 2012 for the best newsmagazine in the construction sector. The awards are presented by the Construction Industry Development Council, which is a part of the Planning Commission.In the issue, we also feature an interview with Karl-heinz Kaul, Global CEO, Siemens Industry Automation Control Equipment. The Spotlight section in this issue focuses on the engineering firm Ercom Engineers.Please send in your feedback/letters to editorial@indiancementreview.com

Concrete

15th Cement EXPO: A Step Forward in Cement Innovation

Published

2 weeks ago

January 17, 2025

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Mumbai

Following the immense success of the 14th Cement EXPO, held on December 14-15, 2023, at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, the next edition of this premier event is set to take place in March 2025. The 15th Cement EXPO will be hosted at Yashobhoomi, Delhi, on 12th and 13th November 2025.

Meanwhile, the Cement Expo Forum 2025 is scheduled for 5th and 6th March 2025 at Taj Krishna in Hyderabad. This exciting 3-in-1 event, organised by FIRST Construction Council (FCC) and Indian Cement Review (ICR), will bring together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to discuss the future of the cement sector.

Building on the Success of the 14th Cement EXPO

The 14th Cement EXPO was widely praised for its strong participation, attracting over 1,500 senior managers and decision-makers from across the cement industry. The event was inaugurated by Dr. Vibha Dhawan, Director General of TERI, and Ali Emir Adiguzel, Founder and Director of the World Cement Association, alongside Pratap Padode, Founder of FIRST Construction Council (FCC). The two-tiered exhibition space featured cutting-edge products and innovations from top companies within the cement industry’s supply chain.

The event also garnered significant support from key government bodies, including the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government e-Marketplace (GeM), and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India (GoI).

Recognition and Excellence in the Cement Industry

The 7th Indian Cement Review Awards celebrated excellence by presenting awards to 11 companies in various categories, recognising their contributions to growth and innovation within the industry. Notably, Parth Jindal, Managing Director of JSW Cement, was honoured with the prestigious Indian Cement Review – Person of the Year Award 2023. Meanwhile, Vinita Singhania, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of JK Lakshmi Cement Ltd, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding leadership and contributions to the sector.

A Vision for Sustainability

With the theme of “Driving Sustainability Through Technology,” the 9th Indian Cement Review Conference hosted thought-provoking discussions and presentations, highlighting the industry’s commitment to adopting innovative, sustainable practices. The conference served as a platform for dialogue on the latest technological advancements aimed at transforming the cement sector, addressing key challenges, and fostering growth.

What to Expect from Cement EXPO 2025

The 15th Cement EXPO, along with the 10th Indian Cement Review Conference and the 8th Indian Cement Review Awards, is set to be even bigger and more impactful than the 2023 edition. With an expanded exhibition space, greater participation, and more in-depth discussions, the 2025 event will continue to drive the industry forward. This 3-in-1 event promises to be a pivotal moment in the ongoing transformation of the cement sector.

As the industry evolves, the 15th Cement EXPO 2025 will serve as a crucial platform for showcasing innovations, discussing emerging trends, and forging new partnerships to shape the future of cement and construction.

For more details:

Cement Expo Forum 2025: https://cementexpo.in/forum

15^th Cement Expo 2025: https://cementexpo.in/

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Concrete

Construction sector growth slows to 8-10% for FY2025: ICRA

Published

2 weeks ago

January 15, 2025

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The revenue growth for construction companies in FY2025 is projected at 8-10 per cent, down from the earlier estimate of 12-15 per cent, according to ICRA. This marks the slowest growth in three years, driven by factors such as the Model Code of Conduct in Q1, prolonged monsoons, and milestone-based billing in Q2, particularly affecting road-focused players.
ICRA’s analysis of 19 companies with a combined turnover of Rs.1.28 trillion in FY2024 shows modest revenue growth of 1.5 per cent YoY in H1 FY2025. While execution is expected to improve in H2, FY2025 growth remains below the historical CAGR of ~15 per cent (FY2018-FY2024).
Order inflows in urban transport, water and sewage projects are healthy, but road-focused entities face challenges due to muted inflows and high competition. Operating margins are projected to remain range-bound at 10.5-11 per cent, with debt levels rising to manage working capital needs, though debt coverage metrics remain stable.

Concrete

SANY India expands Pune factory to boost production capacity

Published

2 weeks ago

January 15, 2025

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SANY India inaugurated a cutting-edge factory expansion at its 90-acre Pune facility, elevating its production capacity to over 14,000 units annually, alongside a robust fabrication capacity of 100,000 metric tonnes.

The advanced facility reinforces SANY’s commitment to ‘Make in India’ by enhancing localised manufacturing and supporting global exports. Chairman Xiang Wenbo highlighted the strategic importance of India as a global hub, while Vice Chairman Deepak Garg emphasised the expansion’s role in driving innovation and infrastructure development. This investment enhances efficiency, reduces timelines, and strengthens SANY’s leadership in the construction equipment sector.