JK Cement, Ultratech, Shree Cement bag awards as fastest cement companies at the 5th Indian Cement Review Awards 2021. Mahendra Singhi, MD and CEO, Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd, is Indian Cement Review Person of the Year 2021.

The 5th Indian Cement Review Awards 2021 followed the 7th Indian Cement Review Conference 2021, at the 12th Cement Expo, in New Delhi. The pre-Award VIP networking session gave the attendees an opportunity to interact with each other and discuss the latest developments and challenges faced by the cement sector. The Awards ceremony started with lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Pratap Padode, Founder and President, FIRST Construction Council, and esteemed members of the jury.
Shri Anil Agarwal, Additional Secretary to the Government of India at Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, was the guest of honour at the Awards ceremony. The members of the jury along with the guest of honour unveiled the 35th Annual Issue of the Indian Cement Review amidst the audience’s applause.

On receiving the award for Person of the Year, an emotional Mahendra Singhi, MD and CEO, Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd, after thanking the jury of the Indian Cement Review and the FIRST Construction Council, the Guest of Honour, Shri Anil Agrawal, and his mentor Puneet Dalmia, asserted, “The Indian cement industry is poised to go from grey to green in the time to come. It is ready to support not only itself but other sectors too. It is time to think afresh, to reshape and repurpose our business. The Indian cement sector is known as the most energy-efficient and sustainable one in the world. Now it is time to move towards a net-zero economy. I am sure that we would be the flag bearers in this effort across the globe.”
In his speech, Shri Agarwal applauded the efforts put in by the cement industry and urged the forerunners in the sector to embrace innovation. Highlighting the strides that entrepreneurial India is taking, he informed, “We have 80 start-ups, which were valued at over $250 billion as against the market value of all CII companies at $800 billion, and FICCI companies at $400 billion. They have spurred their valuation due to the power of innovation, which is what will similarly revalue cement companies, if they make the moves to further innovation in their industry.”

Tanveer Padode, Head- Digital, ASAPP Info Global Group, made a presentation about the company’s transition from print to digital avatars. A McGill graduate, he has worked with Washington-based Smart Cities Council, and currently heads the digital transitions at ASAPP.
Representatives of the winning companies received the Awards amidst cheering from their counterparts. Pratap Padode presented each jury member with a token of appreciation and thanked them for their support.
The evening concluded with cocktails and dinner, and a heartfelt appreciation from the industry stakeholders on the efforts put in by the FIRST Construction Council in recognising and applauding the progress of the Indian cement industry.

The winners!
Fastest Growing Cement Company (Large Category over Rs 5,000 crore)

• JK Cement
• UltraTech Cements
• Shree Cement

Fastest Growing Cement Company (Medium Category between Rs 2,000 crore and Rs 5,000 crore)

• JK Lakshmi Cement
• Birla Corporation
• Heidelberg Cement India Limited
• Orient Cement

Largest & Most Profitable Cement Company in India

• UltraTech

Fastest Growing Cement Company (Small Category less than Rs 2,000 crore)

• NCL Industries
• Sagar Cements
• Anjani Portland

Innovation of the Year

• Martin Engineering

Ashwini Khunte, Assistant Manager – Conveyor Products, received the award for Innovation of the Year for Martin Engineering. A worldwide trustworthy and leading brand, Martin Engineering is presenting first-of-its-kind IoT technology solution to bulk material handling industry.

Lifetime Achievement
Suresh Deolalkar, Consultant

Indian Cement Review Awards celebrated the contribution of Suresh Deolalkar, Director, Deolalkar Consultants, with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Person of the Year
Mahendra Singhi, MD and CEO, Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd

Mahendra Singhi, MD and CEO, Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd, has been associated with the growth and development of the cement sector in India for the last 41 years. Since 2013, he is the Managing Director and CEO of Dalmia Cement (Bharat). He is also serving as President of the Cement Manufacturing Association (CMA).