Economy & Market

Kesoram strives to uplift the standard of living of underprivileged villagers

Published

3 years ago

October 14, 2021

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N Veda Kumar, Factory Manager, Kesoram Cement

Kesoram Cements is a division of Kesoram Industries, which a six- decade- old company owned by the Birla Group. Kesoram Cement was established in 1968 with one kiln and some balancing equipment to produce ten lakh tonnes of cement per year. The company has now grown to manufacture 15 lakh tonnes of cement per year. Kesoram has established a splendid relationship with the community in and around the factory. In the entire 35 years of its operations, the company has not seen any strikes or lock-outs. The company has an excellent track record in terms of generating employment opportunities for the local population, in furthering rural development and in protecting the natural environment. N Veda Kumar, Factory Manager, Kesoram Cement, explains how the company successfully aligned its growth with community benefits and helped everyone work towards a common goal of prosperity. Excerpts from the interview.

You have been very closely involved with villagers around the factory. Please tell us about your network.

Kesoram Cement has established the Kesoram Grama Vikasa Kendra (KGVK) Trust for organising corporate social responsibility programmes in the vicinity of the factory. At present, 12 villages are adopted by us, which are spread over in nine Gram Panchyats, three Mandal Praja Parishads and two Revenue divisions. Kesoram Cement has appointed a fulltime Rural Development Officer (RDO) to look after Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. The activities are planned and implemented keeping the needs of villagers in mind.

How involved is your staff in these endeavours?

KGVK operates as a co-ordinating agency through its RDO and a team of members who serve as a link between the government departments, institutions like Gram Panchayats, co-operative organisations, Lions` club, NABARD, etc. A veterinary doctor and a media co-ordinator is also a part of the KGVK team looking after CSR activities.

The medical officer regularly conducts medical camps in the adopted villages. The veterinary doctor conducts animal health camps in all the 12 adopted villages every month. Media co-ordinator, a member of CSR committee, takes part in each and every activity helping people to be aware of all the opportunities generated by socially conscious Kesoram Cement, and helps building up the company’s image. The positive work has enhanced the company’s trustworthiness not only in society but also in the market.

Tell us some more about your CSR activities.

One part of our focus has been on helping unemployed youth to become independent and become capable of self-employment. Towards this end, we have taken up initiatives to impart training in motor driving, computer education, refrigerator and AC repair, etc, to youngsters.

We train Std 10 dropouts to secure a driving licence with the help of the RTO. Many of them are employed in public and private organizations, and are now able to earn their bread and butter. Tailoring centres have helped poor and needy housewives to gain financial stability. The women are able to earn at least Rs 200 every day by doing tailoring work. Similarly, girls who have undergone computer education are now working as computer operators in schools and private sectors.

We have installed RO water plants that have helped prevent water- borne diseases. Some 60 per cent of diseases spread through unsafe water. Earlier women had to go several kilometres away from home to fetch potable water, now they get it at their doorstep. Besides this, we have built concrete roads, temples, masjid, and churches in the villages. Refrigerator and AC training is another key programme geared towards helping the unemployed youth to improve their standard of life. Certificates are issued by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. We have taken initiatives to help farmers meet experts and gather know-how on scientific methods of farming.

What are your priorities while framing a CSR plan?

Kesoram strives to uplift the standard of living of underprivileged villagers who are below the poverty line, by creating avenues of self-employment and other facilities. KGVK is doing its best to boost rural development. Efforts are also on to help the rural masses enhance their social and economic status. The company has created a healthy atmosphere among villagers by educating them and by directing them towards a better living.

Concrete

15th Cement EXPO: A Step Forward in Cement Innovation

Published

3 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

3 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

3 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.