Usha Martin Limited
Q1 FY26
Call date · August 13, 2025

1 · Management Commentary

Key Positives

  • Consolidated revenues at Rs. 887 crore, up 7.4% YoY, with 10.4% volume growth.
  • Wire segment revenue grew 32.3% YoY; wire rope division up 7.9% YoY.
  • Early benefits from “One Usha Martin” transformation initiative; foundational phase largely complete.
  • Ranchi plant CAPEX 70% commissioned and stabilized; direct shipments to Europe gaining traction.
  • Strong order visibility in the US market despite tariff headwinds; sizable tender won.
  • Oceanfibre synthetic sling solution gaining rapid market acceptance and repeat orders.
  • Net debt-free at both standalone and consolidated levels; operating cash flow at 95% of EBITDA.
  • Employee costs and inventory levels reduced; strong cash conversion.

Key Negatives

  • LRPC segment revenue declined 3.4% YoY due to ongoing headwinds.
  • Operating EBITDA declined to Rs. 145 crore (from Rs. 154 crore YoY); margin pressures persist.
  • Net profit slightly down at Rs. 101 crore (vs. Rs. 104 crore YoY).
  • Variable expenses increased, mainly due to higher freight costs for Europe orders.
  • LRPC segment expected to remain under pressure; not a significant growth driver going forward.

Forward Guidance

  • Ranchi plant CAPEX: 70% commissioned; full completion by October 2025; total CAPEX for FY26 at Rs. 150 crore (maintenance CAPEX Rs. 25–30 crore).
  • Rs. 60 crore investment plan underway in Thailand.
  • Focus on expanding high-value segments (elevator, crane ropes, synthetic slings).
  • Further cost savings expected as shared services back office expands in India.
  • Margin improvement expected from H2 FY26; targeting 18% EBITDA margin for FY26, 19–20% in FY27.
  • Working capital days targeted to reduce by at least 10 days over coming quarters.
  • Exploring further capacity expansion at Ranchi and Hoshiarpur plants as demand grows.
  • Continued focus on disciplined capital allocation and operational efficiency.

2 · Q&A Highlights

Q 1 (US Tariffs & US Market): How is the company managing the 50% US tariff and what is the impact on business and margins?
A (Management):
• Most tariff increases are passed on to distributors/end customers; market share retained and, in some cases, gained.
• Warehouse in Houston aids realization and order visibility; sizable tender won for FY26.
• Flexibility to shift 10–15% of US volumes to UK plant if needed, but currently more competitive to supply from India/Thailand.
• Confident of sustaining margins and volumes if current tariff regime continues.

Q 2 (Europe Business & Geopolitics): What is the outlook for the European business amid geopolitical tensions?
A (Management):
• Positive outlook; direct supplies from India to Europe under BSUK brand going well with repeat orders.
• Demand strong across wind, renewable, oil & offshore, crane, and elevator segments; expecting decent growth in FY26.

Q 3 (Cost Structure & Expense Trends): Can further reductions in manpower costs be expected, and what explains the increase in other expenses?
A (Management):
• Employee expenses reduced to Rs. 113 crore in Q1 FY26 (from Rs. 118 crore avg. in FY25); further reductions expected.
• Other expenses rose mainly due to variable costs (notably Rs. 6 crore higher freight for Europe, recovered from customers); fixed expenses declined.

Q 4 (Synthetic Sling/Oceanfibre Traction): What is the progress and outlook for the synthetic sling (Oceanfibre) business?
A (Management):
• Strong early traction with repeat orders in Latin America and Europe; supplying to offshore wind market.
• Expected to become a meaningful, independent vertical in 18–24 months.

Q 5 (Domestic Market & Competition): How is the competitive landscape evolving in India, especially in high-value wires and mining tenders?
A (Management):
• Usha Martin holds 65–70% domestic wire rope market share; strong dealer network and technical support.
• Focus on high-value-added wires; not present in low-margin commercial segment.
• Product upgrades and R&D collaboration help maintain/grow share.

Q 6 (LRPC Segment & Margins): What is the outlook for the LRPC segment and overall margin improvement?
A (Management):
• LRPC segment to remain under pressure; focus shifting to higher-margin plasticated LRPC.
• Expecting EBITDA margin to rise from 16.3% to 18% for FY26, with further improvement in FY27.

Q 7 (CAPEX & Capacity Expansion): What are the current and future CAPEX plans and capacity additions?
A (Management):
• Ranchi expansion adds 40,000 MT (20,000 MT rope); 70% installed, full by October 2025.
• Rs. 60 crore CAPEX in Thailand; future expansions possible at Ranchi/Hoshiarpur as demand grows.

Q 8 (KPIs & Transformation Benefits): What operational KPIs are being targeted and what cost savings have been realized?
A (Management):
• Key KPIs: employee cost and other expense reduction, working capital days (down to 196), inventory days (175), cash conversion (95% of EBITDA, targeting >100%).
• Full benefits of transformation to reflect from Q2/Q3 FY26.

3 · Other Key Numbers

  • Consolidated net revenue: Rs. 887 crore (Q1 FY26), Rs. 826 crore (Q1 FY25)
  • Operating EBITDA: Rs. 145 crore (Q1 FY26), Rs. 154 crore (Q1 FY25)
  • EBITDA margin: 16.3% (Q1 FY26)
  • EBITDA per ton: Rs. 28,502 per ton (Q1 FY26)
  • Net profit: Rs. 101 crore (Q1 FY26), Rs. 104 crore (Q1 FY25)
  • Net cash position: Rs. 14 crore (June 30, 2025), vs. net debt of Rs. 63 crore (March 2025)
  • Operating cash flow before tax: Rs. 137 crore (Q1 FY26), Rs. 102 crore (Q1 FY25)
  • Employee cost: Rs. 113 crore (Q1 FY26), Rs. 118 crore (FY25 quarterly avg.), Rs. 125 crore (Q1 FY25)
  • Other expenses: Rs. 166 crore (Q1 FY26), Rs. 163 crore (FY25 quarterly avg.)
  • Working capital days: 196 days (Q1 FY26), 209 days (Sep 2024 peak)
  • Inventory days: 175 days (Q1 FY26)
  • Maintenance CAPEX: Rs. 25–30 crore (FY26)
  • Total CAPEX: Rs. 150 crore (FY26)
  • Thailand CAPEX: Rs. 60 crore (under implementation)
  • Ranchi expansion: 40,000 MT (total), 20,000 MT (rope), 70% installed as of Q1 FY26
  • Wire segment revenue growth: 32.3% YoY
  • Wire rope segment: 72% of total revenue, 7.9% YoY growth
  • LRPC segment: 3.4% YoY decline
  • Wire rope EBITDA per ton: Rs. 55,000–60,000
  • Wire segment EBITDA per ton: Rs. 12,000–15,000
  • LRPC EBITDA per ton: Rs. 2,000–3,000
  • No one-off expenses in Q1 FY26
  • Oceanfibre synthetic sling: order secured for offshore wind market; expected to become a sizable vertical in 18–24 months

All figures as stated in the call. Where management did not disclose a number, it is omitted.

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