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We are digitising the entire value chain

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Pankaj Phadnis, National Head – Retail, Infra.Market, speaks about digitisation, automation and omnichannel solutions for cement distribution in India.

What is the business model of Infra.Market?
Infra.Market is a profitable one-stop construction solutions company. With a vision of creating India’s largest multi-product building materials brand, it is transforming the entire supply chain through tech innovation. Our business model is quite unique as we cater to B2B, B2C, as well as B2R models. B2B services to institutional customers whereas B2C caters to direct customers via our stores across locations. With B2R, we mark our presence in various retail stores by ensuring they have the inventory of the best of best brands along with ours. This way, our products and services are penetrated in even the remotest geographical pockets, which makes our model truly unique and innovative.

What is the management tool used to manage customers and partners of your business?
Valued at $2.5 billion, Infra.Market is growing 5x year-on-year through rapid tech-innovation. Coupled with a strong team, customer-driven growth and a robust ecosystem of partners, we are swiftly moving towards our vision of building a category defining position across categories. An end-to-end construction solutions company, Infra.Market takes the entire procurement process online, ensuring quality, organising the vendor base, and bringing transparency in pricing; an industry-first tech platform in India.
We are digitising the entire value chain, right from identifying the prospective customer to the actual delivery of concrete to the end customer. Being tech-first has given us a competitive edge in the industry as we aim to leverage automation and make the end-to-end process seamless for our clients. Our tech-led platforms enable real time reporting and dashboards providing complete visibility around the supply chain thus helping in optimising the entire experience for customers.

Who are the likely customers of Infra.Market?
Making use of the idle capacities lying with manufacturers of construction goods, Infra.Market is a one-stop shop for infrastructure contractors looking for materials near their project sites. We operate in B2B, B2C, as well as B2R universe, which makes us accessible to anyone who requires construction materials to fulfil their needs. However, most of our clients are infrastructure companies, builders, conglomerates, contractors, government institutions, and architects. We leverage technology to provide an enhanced procurement experience throughout the construction ecosystem and largely focus on our private label brands. On the customer side, we aim to address concerns around pricing transparency, unreliable quality, fragmented vendor base, and inefficient logistics. While on the manufacturer’s side, it is ensuring higher capacity utilisation, steady demand, and better customer reach.

How do you store the products and further fulfil your orders?
We are available online as well as offline to meet our customers’ evolving demands. Our product line is quite varied as we offer everything from floor to ceiling, all under one roof. With over 108 SKUs, we have different product categories including walling solutions, tiles, sanitaryware, electricals, and lighting amongst others. Our differentiated model is such that we source inventories and later dispatch the requirement. We also have our mother depots located to serve our franchise stores across locations for hassle-free and timely supply.

What is the logistical plan for Infra.Market?
Logistics plays a critical role in a business like ours where there is a pressing need to ensure the timely delivery of the order for the client. Infra.Market is proud of its robust and technology driven logistics network. We have partnered with companies that leverage technology to fulfil our logistical demands where the order must be supplied to the client from the source. For the products that are to be deployed from our mother depos, we have our own logistical network. For instance, our transit mixers are used for RMC, dumpers for aggregates and sand and small lorries for other products are installed with GPS and other sensors to ensure that it can be tracked right up to the construction site. Besides this, we have also introduced e-ticketing to go paperless in
the future.

As a new mode of cement distribution, what are the challenges your platform faces?
Our product portfolio encompasses a wide range of products encompassing more than 108 SKUs apart from cement, which accounts for 25 per cent and gets facilitated by our principal companies. However, for other products, we have associations with key logistic partners for efficient last mile delivery. With Covid-19, businesses have become more adaptive to develop multi-pronged strategies and manage increased demand that is common with third-party collaboration. We have looked at automation and omnichannel solutions to fulfil the supply as we believe expedited delivery is no longer a luxury, but an industry standard.

How do you determine which brands are working for your platform?
Being a technology-first company, we leverage data to track the historical behaviour of our clients to determine which brands are most preferred by them. We analyse the demand patterns and forecast the industry trends based on historical behaviour. Additionally, we believe in thorough communication with our customers who happen to visit our franchise stores to understand their needs and facilitate well. We also keep a constant check on order fulfilment ratio and determine the nature of orders that we are receiving versus other brands. Besides this, to deepen our connection with clients, we are also tracking them on social and electronic media.

What promotional activities do you conduct to attract more partners and customers?
Being a next-generation company, we drive our efforts constantly towards online activities. The testimony of this is the number of queries we receive via our social media presence, be it Facebook, LinkedIn, or even WhatsApp. We also engage in offline promotional activities, given the nature of the sector, one-on-one conversations make plenty of difference. Our teams work on BTL activities along with connecting to architects, engineers, retailers, etc. to conduct demand generation activities. Additionally, owing to our relentless service and quality, word of mouth has been one of our greatest assets that help us get connected with various clients. We intend to increase our presence across product verticals and look at acquisition opportunities across the construction ecosystem to expand reach.

What is the outlook for Infra.Market?
Infra.Market has had quite a promising journey since inception. Despite Covid-19 restrictions, in the past two years the company has achieved exponential growth and currently has a pan India presence. Coupled with technology and enhanced customer experience, we have been able to build a differentiated offering in the country and are also catering to customers outside of India. Our focus will remain on being a tech-first with an aim to leverage automation and make the end-to-end process seamless for our customers. We are scaling up our digital adoption to create a resilient and robust ecosystem. With our industry-leading capabilities, resilient workforce, and a clear comprehensive strategy we aim to deliver consistent and profitable growth.

Concrete

FORNNAX Appoints Dieter Jerschl as Sales Partner for Central Europe

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FORNNAX TECHNOLOGY has appointed industry veteran Dieter Jerschl as its new sales partner in Germany to strengthen its presence across Central Europe. The partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of FORNNAX’s high-capacity, sustainable recycling solutions while building long-term regional capabilities.

FORNNAX TECHNOLOGY, one of the leading advanced recycling equipment manufacturers, has announced the appointment of a new sales partner in Germany as part of its strategic expansion into Central Europe. The company has entered into a collaborative agreement with Mr. Dieter Jerschl, a seasoned industry professional with over 20 years of experience in the shredding and recycling sector, to represent and promote FORNNAX’s solutions across key European markets.

Mr. Jerschl brings extensive expertise from his work with renowned companies such as BHS, Eldan, Vecoplan, and others. Over the course of his career, he has successfully led the deployment of both single machines and complete turnkey installations for a wide range of applications, including tyre recycling, cable recycling, municipal solid waste, e-waste, and industrial waste processing.

Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Jerschl said,
“I’ve known FORNNAX for over a decade and have followed their growth closely. What attracted me to this collaboration is their state-of-the-art & high-capacity technology, it is powerful, sustainable, and economically viable. There is great potential to introduce FORNNAX’s innovative systems to more markets across Europe, and I am excited to be part of that journey.”

The partnership will primarily focus on Central Europe, including Germany, Austria, and neighbouring countries, with the flexibility to extend the geographical scope based on project requirements and mutual agreement. The collaboration is structured to evolve over time, with performance-driven expansion and ongoing strategic discussions with FORNNAX’s management. The immediate priority is to build a strong project pipeline and enhance FORNNAX’s brand presence across the region.

FORNNAX’s portfolio of high-performance shredding and pre-processing solutions is well aligned with Europe’s growing demand for sustainable and efficient waste treatment technologies. By partnering with Mr. Jerschl—who brings deep market insight and established industry relationships—FORNNAX aims to accelerate adoption of its solutions and participate in upcoming recycling projects across the region.

As part of the partnership, Mr. Jerschl will also deliver value-added services, including equipment installation, maintenance, and spare parts support through a dedicated technical team. This local service capability is expected to ensure faster project execution, minimise downtime, and enhance overall customer experience.

Commenting on the long-term vision, Mr. Jerschl added,
“We are committed to increasing market awareness and establishing new reference projects across the region. My goal is not only to generate business but to lay the foundation for long-term growth. Ideally, we aim to establish a dedicated FORNNAX legal entity or operational site in Germany over the next five to ten years.”

For FORNNAX, this partnership aligns closely with its global strategy of expanding into key markets through strong regional representation. The company believes that local partnerships are critical for navigating complex market dynamics and delivering solutions tailored to region-specific waste management challenges.

“We see tremendous potential in the Central European market,” said Mr. Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO of FORNNAX.
“Partnering with someone as experienced and well-established as Mr. Jerschl gives us a strong foothold and allows us to better serve our customers. This marks a major milestone in our efforts to promote reliable, efficient and future-ready recycling solutions globally,” he added.

This collaboration further strengthens FORNNAX’s commitment to environmental stewardship, innovation, and sustainable waste management, supporting the transition toward a greener and more circular future.

 

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Concrete

Budget 2026–27 infra thrust and CCUS outlay to lift cement sector outlook

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Higher capex, city-led growth and CCUS funding improve demand visibility and decarbonisation prospects for cement

Mumbai

Cement manufacturers have welcomed the Union Budget 2026–27’s strong infrastructure thrust, with public capital expenditure increased to Rs 12.2 trillion, saying it reinforces infrastructure as the central engine of economic growth and strengthens medium-term prospects for the cement sector. In a statement, the Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) has welcomed the Union budget 2026-27 for reinforcing the ambitions for the nation’s growth balancing the aspirations of the people through inclusivity inspired by the vision of Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, for a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and Atmanirbharta.

The budget underscores India’s steady economic trajectory over the past 12 years, marked by fiscal discipline, sustained growth and moderate inflation, and offers strong demand visibility for infrastructure linked sectors such as cement.

The Budget’s strong infrastructure push, with public capital expenditure rising from Rs 11.2 trillion in fiscal year 2025–26 to Rs 12.2 trillion in fiscal year 2026–27, recognises infrastructure as the primary anchor for economic growth creating positive prospects for the Indian cement industry and improving long term visibility for the cement sector. The emphasis on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities with populations above 5 lakh and the creation of City Economic Regions (CERs) with an allocation of Rs 50 billion per CER over five years, should accelerate construction activity across housing, transport and urban services, supporting broad based cement consumption.

Logistics and connectivity measures announced in the budget are particularly significant for the cement industry. The announcement of new dedicated freight corridors, the operationalisation of 20 additional National Waterways over the next five years, the launch of the Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme to raise the modal share of waterways and coastal shipping from 6 per cent to 12 per cent by 2047, and the development of ship repair ecosystems should enhance multimodal freight efficiency, reduce logistics costs and improve the sector’s carbon footprint. The announcement of seven high speed rail corridors as growth corridors can be expected to further stimulate regional development and construction demand.

Commenting on the budget, Parth Jindal, President, Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA), said, “As India advances towards a Viksit Bharat, the three kartavya articulated in the Union Budget provide a clear context for the Nation’s growth and aspirations, combining economic momentum with capacity building and inclusive progress. The Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) appreciates the Union Budget 2026-27 for the continued emphasis on manufacturing competitiveness, urban development and infrastructure modernisation, supported by over 350 reforms spanning GST simplification, labour codes, quality control rationalisation and coordinated deregulation with States. These reforms, alongside the Budget’s focus on Youth Power and domestic manufacturing capacity under Atmanirbharta, stand to strengthen the investment environment for capital intensive sectors such as Cement. The Union Budget 2026-27 reflects the Government’s focus on infrastructure led development emerging as a structural pillar of India’s growth strategy.”

He added, “The Rs 200 billion CCUS outlay for various sectors, including Cement, fundamentally alters the decarbonisation landscape for India’s emissions intensive industries. CCUS is a significant enabler for large scale decarbonisation of industries such as Cement and this intervention directly addresses the technology and cost requirements of the Cement sector in context. The Cement Industry, fully aligned with the Government of India’s Net Zero commitment by 2070, views this support as critical to enabling the adoption and scale up of CCUS technologies while continuing to meet the Country’s long term infrastructure needs.”

Dr Raghavpat Singhania, Vice President, CMA, said, “The government’s sustained infrastructure push supports employment, regional development and stronger local supply chains. Cement manufacturing clusters act as economic anchors across regions, generating livelihoods in construction, logistics and allied sectors. The budget’s focus on inclusive growth, execution and system level enablers creates a supportive environment for responsible and efficient expansion offering opportunities for economic growth and lending momentum to the cement sector. The increase in public capex to Rs 12.2 trillion, the focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and the creation of City Economic Regions stand to strengthen the growth of the cement sector. We welcome the budget’s emphasis on tourism, cultural and social infrastructure, which should broaden construction activity across regions. Investments in tourism facilities, heritage and Buddhist circuits, regional connectivity in Purvodaya and North Eastern States, and the strengthening of emergency and trauma care infrastructure in district hospitals reinforce the cement sector’s role in enabling inclusive growth.”

CMA also noted the Government’s continued commitment to fiscal discipline, with the fiscal deficit estimated at 4.3 per cent of GDP in FY27, reinforcing macroeconomic stability and investor confidence.

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Concrete

Steel: Shielded or Strengthened?

CW explores the impact of pro-steel policies on construction and infrastructure and identifies gaps that need to be addressed.

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Going forward, domestic steel mills are targeting capacity expansion
of nearly 40 per cent through till FY31, adding 80-85 mt, translating
into an investment pipeline of $ 45-50 billion. So, Jhunjhunwala points
out that continuing the safeguard duty will be vital to prevent a surge
in imports and protect domestic prices from external shocks. While in
FY26, the industry operating profit per tonne is expected to hold at
around $ 108, similar to last year, the industry’s earnings must
meaningfully improve from hereon to sustain large-scale investments.
Else, domestic mills could experience a significant spike in industry
leverage levels over the medium term, increasing their vulnerability to
external macroeconomic shocks.(~$ 60/tonne) over the past one month,
compressing the import parity discount to ~$ 23-25/tonne from previous
highs of ~$ 70-90/tonne, adds Jhunjhunwala. With this, he says, “the
industry can expect high resistance to further steel price increases.”

Domestic HRC prices have increased by ~Rs 5,000/tonne
“Aggressive
capacity additions (~15 mt commissioned in FY25, with 5 mt more by
FY26) have created a supply overhang, temporarily outpacing demand
growth of ~11-12 mt,” he says…

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