India’s TOP 500 Companies 2021

INDIA’S TOP 500 COMPANIES 2021 163 Experts’ View What solutions/products does the company provide to create value for clients? In a highly competitive field like cement, we have been able to create a brand leadership. Our Nagarjuna Cement commands a premium in coastal and north Andhra Pradesh. That we have been able to retain this position in the face of much larger players operating in the market is a matter of immense satisfaction. Our Bison Panels and their variants are one of its kind products with multiple applications. It is heartening that Bison Boards are used in multiple applications like kitchens, partitions, false ceilings, panel houses and decking. The NCLdoor which we introduced recently are emerging as the bywords for quality, elegance and durability. Ultimately, quality is the mantra that creates value for the client. I think we have succeeded in being identified with high quality. What are the factors that give NCL industries an edge over its competitors? As a mentioned earlier, our commitment to quality is a major factor. The other important factor is our ability to assess the situation and respond quickly to convert challenges into opportunities. One important indicator of this is the manner in which we marshalled our resources during the lock-down period during peak of COVID19. Meticulous homework and planning enabled us to plan our production, logistics and supplies. Timely co-ordination and maintenance of supplies to institutional customers helped them to minimize disruption in implementation of their projects. In a nutshell I can say our agility and nimbleness is what gives us the edge. How has the pandemic affected your company? What steps did you take to tide over the crisis? The pandemic did affect us in the Boards and Doors Division, since the retail markets were closed or sluggish. However, as I mentioned, we have been able to convert the challenge into an opportunity, particularly in the Cement Division. After the initial shock of sudden announcement of lockdown wore off, we made a quick assessment of the situation. We coordinated with the Government Agencies to take measures for maintaining production and dispatches, while adhering to safety and social distancing norms. The Government also appreciated our pro-active initiatives, by giving us necessary permissions to operate, without compromising on health precautions. The meticulous planning and co-ordination helped. We could keep our production and sales activities going, and post financial results, which in fact surpassed our past best. What are some of the key ESG initiatives by your company? A significant portion of our energy requirement will be from green power – from the solar power facilities set up in different plant sites, and also the power generated from the Waste Heat Recovery Plant at Simhapuri. These are expected to account for 30% of our power requirements. On the social front, we have been focusing our CSR activities on the education, health and hygiene. NCL School and Junior College and Ramachandra Raju Memorial Health Center in Simhapuri provide free or subsidized education and medical treatment to the residents of the surrounding tribal villages. We have recently launched a campaign to encourage construction of toilets at every house in the village with the company’s assistance. Overall, I feel we have succeeded in improving the quality of life of the people in the vicinity of our plant sites. In terms of Governance, transparency and fairness in all our dealings have been our guiding principles. We try to follow the motto of “When in doubt, disclose” propagated by Infosys Founder Mr. Narayana Murthy. What is the company’s growth strategy over the next 3-5 years? It is two-pronged strategy. Wherever possible, expand the cement capacities by mergers and acquisitions. We are conscious that setting up green field projects is not an easy proposition with the existing regulations on mining licenses. While cement is expected to be the mainstay in the foreseeable future, keep adding quality building materials to the product range of the company and group. Dun & Bradstreet