ITD Cementation India Ltd
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ITD Cementation India Ltd
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Earnings Call Transcript

Earnings Call Transcript
2024-Q4

from 0
Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, good day and welcome to ITD Cementation Q4 FY '24 Earnings Conference Call hosted by ICICI Securities. [Operator Instructions] Please note that this conference is being conference.

I now hand the conference over to Mr. Mohit Kumar from ICICI Securities. Thank you, and over to you, sir.

M
Mohit Kumar
analyst

Good afternoon. On behalf of ICICI Securities, I welcome you all to the Q4 FY '24 Earnings Call of ITD Cementation India Limited. Today, we are pleased to host the management of ITD, which is represented by Mr. Jayanta Basu, Managing Director; and Mr. Prasad Patwardhan, CFO of the company. Without much delay, I'll hand over the call to management for their opening remarks, which will be followed by Q&A. Thank you, and over to you, sir.

P
Prasad Patwardhan
executive

Thank you. Good morning -- good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for joining us in this Q4 FY '24 result con call. Before I begin, let me mention that there could be certain statements from the management today during the call. It would be forward-looking that would be subject to certain risks and uncertainties, so we'd like to bring this your attention before we move ahead.

We have declared our result yesterday and I'm sure that everyone has got the chance to look at the numbers. We have had a very satisfying performance during the quarter and a very stellar performance has been reported for the year ending FY '24.

For the quarter ending March '24, our total operating income was INR 2,258 crores as against INR 1,631 crores in Q4 of the previous year, representing a growth of about 38%. EBITDA of INR 242 crores as against INR 147 crores, a growth of 64%. PAT of INR 90 crores as against INR 38 crores a year back, which represents a growth of about 138%.

For the full year, we reported a top line of INR 7,700 crores, which represents a growth of 52% on a year-on-year basis. Our EBITDA has also grown by about 75% during the year. And PAT margin has grown by 120% from INR 125 crores to INR 274 crores. Our balance sheet continues to be extremely healthy and the net debt-to-equity ratio is under 0.2x. During the year, we have secured new orders of about INR 6,900 crores. And our order book as of March '24 is a little under INR 20,000 crores. This is as far as our financial performance is concerned, I'll now hand over to Mr. Basu for his initial comments, and then we'll take your questions.

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Thank you, Prasad. And good afternoon to all for joining this con call. And I'm very happy to share the numbers what we have just heard from Prasad. The substantial growth in top line and bottom line as well during this last year. And we have grown from INR 5,000 crores to close to INR 8,000 crores in top line. And in PAT level also, it is almost 3.6% of the revenue, which is, I think, the best PAT we have in recent past.

I'm sure that this momentum will continue further because we have several jobs opportunity. Some of them, we have already tendered. Some of tender work is going on. And some, we are yet to receive the tenders that we have identified, and those are mostly in the segments that are doing good, like Marine, Underground Metro, Bridge, so the kind of jobs where we normally perform better. Going forward, our focus is to have some more jobs from the overseas market because as we find that there are new developments happening in Middle East, West Africa, a lot of investment from Indian government, but they are also investing money. So there are a lot of new projects are coming that we would like to participate. So our endeavor [indiscernible] there to get some new work from the overseas market as well. Now this year, we have seen the revenue growth and margin growth. So -- but there are a few jobs which have secured towards the end of the last year, big jobs where we can only [indiscernible] the margin declaration. So we have taken the revenue. So margin is yet to be declared, which we'll definitely add to the bottom line second or third quarter onwards. This is what I have to say within the statement. Now I'll be happy to -- we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have going forward. Thank you.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] First question is from the line of Nikhil Abhyankar from ICICI Securities.

N
Nikhil Abhyankar
analyst

Congrats on a very good year. So my first question is regarding -- at this juncture, will you be able to provide some kind of a guidance for FY '25 in terms of revenue growth, margins and the order inflows?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Revenue growth, as we have been maintaining, it will be 20% plus in terms of revenue. Margin also will be commensurate to that. And order inflow, we're expecting the order [indiscernible] close to INR 8,000 between to INR 10,000 crores, say INR 9,000 crores, our target is to have this year's order inflow.

N
Nikhil Abhyankar
analyst

So around INR 9,000 crores. And the margin, is there any scope to improve the beyond 10% going forward?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

It's difficult. You see, construction industry has got their own standard margin and revenue. So 10% plus is, I think, okay. If we can do something better, we'll be happy, we'll try that. But I think we have to live with this margin, 10%, a little bit more than 10%.

N
Nikhil Abhyankar
analyst

Sure. And sir, you mentioned in the opening remarks that you will be looking at overseas orders going ahead. So what kind of opportunities are we looking at? And what will be the share of overseas orders out of this INR 9,000 crores?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

We aim to do around 30% of revenue from overseas by another 2 years' time or 3 years' time. Now today, the kind of job which we're pursuing, if we get some of them, I think it will be around 20% plus on our overseas business.

N
Nikhil Abhyankar
analyst

20% plus from overseas. Okay. And just a final question. And recently, there's a lot of group tenders which were opened in Maharashtra, almost around INR 90,000-odd crores. So did we participate? And if not, why?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

See, we have -- see -- I don't know which one you're mentioning. There are many jobs, particularly coastal road and tunnel job between this [indiscernible] Sanjay Gandhi Park. We have not participated because we found that it requires a lot of investment, particularly tunnel job, where the TBM side, the tunnel boring machine side is quite big, and requires a lot of investment. And if the stage that we have today, we have to contain our CapEx within a limit. That is the main reason. And in some cases, to all these, there is a qualification issue as well. So we have not participated because these reasons.

Operator

Next question is from the line of Parikshit Kandpal, HDFC Securities.

P
Parikshit Kandpal
analyst

Congratulations on a good quarter. I just wanted to understand from you, you highlighted that you had about INR 8,000 crores to INR 10,000 crores of orders for the next year. So this factors in the election related and delays in the government formation, which may take some time and also ordering to pick up. So have you factored these while giving your guidance?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Well, see it is not only depending on the government order. We hope that most of the time, in marine, our customers are mostly private clients, like [indiscernible], like Port of Singapore, like A.P. Moller and we have [indiscernible] as well; JSW.

So those -- all of them have got big marine jobs, which we are pursuing. And yes, there are some jobs we have submitted our bid like few Metro jobs which are already there, which will definitely after July, August when they mature.

And few jobs, it doesn't depend on the election. The overseas job, has nothing to do with our election result. And around 4 such jobs we are pursuing, we are quite hopeful to get at least 1 or 2, and they are big-ticket jobs.

P
Parikshit Kandpal
analyst

What is the current pipeline in the Marine segment? Because that is what is the most profitable segment for you. So if you can highlight what is this pipeline there?

And also, in terms of the upcoming [indiscernible] opportunities, do you think that you'll continue to work as contracted towards larger players, especially Adani you've been doing their Ganga Expressway. So do you think you're open to exploring opportunities and sticking subcontracting at least on the NHAI road projects for leading contractors or developers?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

No. We don't have -- at the moment, we don't have such plan to the road work from NHAI. But if we get 1 more Ganga Expressway, probably we'll be happy to do such work.

P
Parikshit Kandpal
analyst

And on the marine side, sir. And then directly from NHAI, let's say, Adani win [indiscernible] projects or some developers and is okay [indiscernible] and he takes the support. So are you okay to give support bids to the leading developer when your scope of work will only be limited to EPC for the developer? Are you open to those opportunities?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Yes, yes. Definitely, there is a developer -- and, basically, it depends on the due diligence of the project. Basically, you have to see whether the funds are available and the developer has got money and [indiscernible]. So obviously, why not? If we are able to do in Ganga Expressway, we can do anywhere.

And in marine, of course, marine is one of our strong areas. So as we just mentioned, pipeline, yes, there are at least 7 jobs in front of my table, which we're pursing now. Then all of these are INR 1000 crores plus/minus, if not minus/plus. If we get at least 2 of them, then that is a good deal for us.

P
Parikshit Kandpal
analyst

And just the last thing on the JV profit. So I just wanted to understand from you that this year the numbers on the joint -- profit from joint venture has declined. So if you can highlight and help us understand that what is the residual value of cash because I know we are very conservative. So I just wanted to understand how much of the profit there yet to be realized from underground Metro projects, when do you expect it to get commissioned? And even from Calcutta Metro, if anything is pending, which when the TBM issue got -- happened? So anything there which can be realized. So carrying value of unrecognized profit from the JV companies. So if you can give some color on that.

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Yes. One thing is that JV jobs are almost now on the finishing stage because if you see Calcutta Metro is completed, I think it's completed, leaving 2 or -- few works. Bombay Metro is almost completed. And there is no other JVs that we are doing.

So all at the fag end. And there will be a little bit of margin and cash will remain there. I don't have the number exactly -- I can talk to you later on.

But I can say that there is not much substantial consideration, either plus or minus on cash on JV jobs going forward.

P
Parikshit Kandpal
analyst

Okay, sir. Sure. The only thing is I was looking at your orders, the guidance looks to be a little bit on a muted side because now the book-to-bill, I mean, this year, maybe, if you do -- I think you had earlier guided close to about INR 9,500 crores of top line for FY '26 -- FY '25, so which means that we're just replacing our order book of INR 9,000 crores and we are still at closing maybe at about INR 19,000 cores, INR 20,000 crores of backlog, which is 2x book-to-bill. So we do -- see, we need to grow from here on into FY '26 to at least get more than INR 15,000 plus crores of orders to deliver that kind of a growth.

So I just wanted your -- a little bit more color and sense on that, how do you see the growth beyond FY '25 given kind of muted inflow guidance for FY '25?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Yes, we are thoroughly aware of the situation and we are working. And there are plenty of opportunities because I have told you that we are not continuing in India. We are going overseas as there is a good overseas market as well. We have plans in place and future will tell.

Operator

Next question is from the line of Pratik Kothari from Unique PMS.

P
Pratik Kothari
analyst

So my first question is on the competition. In the last call, we highlighted that, be it underground Metro, be it marine, it seems that more number of players have started participating in bidding for the projects. If you can highlight any change. And also in the context that currently, the order inflow seems to be muted across players given elections over there. How has the behavior been versus peers in terms of how they're pricing? Are they dropping their margins to go out and get orders? And how are we reacting to that?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Well, I think this is a very constant phenomena in any business. Today, if you are doing good margin in one segment or one particular type of job, tomorrow there will be crown, you have to go to new places. That is how business goes and that is what we do really.

We have realized that a few segments like small marine jobs is no more a profitable segment. So one thing that we have gone to bigger marine jobs or bigger jobs. If you see today, our work in hand, we may have 50 jobs in hand. And out of that, about 8 contribute to 80% of our revenue. So the moment you go for the bigger jobs, you have less players. And fortunately, because of our past, we are able to get qualified as well as for the bigger jobs. That is one thing.

Second thing is that we are going to overseas market because last 2 or 3 years, we have demonstrated that we can do overseas jobs, which is a new ball game, and we have established a team, and so our market footprint is now big.

And third thing is that we have got a few clients and we are delighted because basically, they want us to do the job. We are trying to maintain the good relationship with them to get more and more jobs for them. These are the strategies and the way we work to get out of this [indiscernible], whatever you can say.

P
Pratik Kothari
analyst

Correct. And sir, regarding what you mentioned that top 8 customers contribute 80% of revenue. I mean, I understand that we do a few large projects, and we are able to concentrate on it much more, but [indiscernible] create a much larger risk that it's something, historically something what goes wrong at some point of time. So if something goes haywire and it completely affects our company as a whole. I mean, just your thoughts on how do we balance between concentration and diversifying across the bit.

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Yes, I think the basic has to be right. I mean, if you take a big job with a poor margin and if we go wrong, then you are gone. That's true. So unless that is there out from the euro debt. So that has to be first ensured that we are matured enough now to realize which job we will do or [indiscernible]. And if you have less amount of jobs, I mean less number of jobs, then you can control much better. So it will be the balance and your maturity and experience playing, such things.

P
Pratik Kothari
analyst

Right. And sir, there is some INR 40 crores of provision this year. Specific to any project or this year is [ ECL ]?

P
Prasad Patwardhan
executive

[indiscernible] and provide for it [indiscernible]. So it's not related to any specific projects [indiscernible].

P
Pratik Kothari
analyst

Correct. And sir, last 2 data points. One, what is your CapEx plans for FY '25? And if you can share what was our order pipeline? Currently, what is the order pipeline?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

CapEx will be less than last year because last year -- we had to invest for the tunnel machines and trench cutters, so it was more than INR 450 crores plus, I think last year. This year, it could be around INR 250 crores, in that range.

And our order pipeline means, as we have mentioned that -- it's an overseas job and -- job we're pursuing. I can see around INR 25,000 crores to INR 30,000 crores jobs in different stage, either in tender or we committed or tender to come, they come in 6 months', 12 months' time. Yes.

Operator

Next question is from the line of [ Vipul Kumar Anupchand Shah ] from Sumangal Investments.

U
Unknown Analyst

Congratulations for a great set of numbers. So my question is regarding overseas biddings. So will it not that our parent will also be participating in those opportunities? So how will you manage that conflict of interest? So is there any understanding that certain projects you can bid in certain areas? So how it works?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Yes, that we've sorted out. If you have noticed that 2 to 3 years back, we never have been to overseas, and then we have discussed with our parent. It is not that they have interest. It is they wanted to see our ability to do what we want. And that we have demonstrated that, yes, we can do and we can do well. So that is the first case.

And when we discuss, of course, if they have interest, we don't go. Or if we saw more interest, they will go away. So that is common understanding. So there is no conflict as a whole to go for overseas business with our parent company.

U
Unknown Analyst

And sir, what is the order intake to date in this current financial year? Can you give that figure, please?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

This '24-'25?

U
Unknown Analyst

Yes, sir.

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

So far, we have not -- I don't think we have secured any job...

U
Unknown Analyst

Sorry, sir?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

I mean in the first quarter, I mean, this is May, in this year, we have not secured any job during the last 2 months.

U
Unknown Analyst

And sir, last question is regarding margins. So one of our Bombay-based peers is continuously reporting 14%, 15% EBITDA margin. We are very strong in marine, which naturally carries high margins. So why there is such a big gap with the peers? So what they are doing right which we are not doing? Your comments will be welcome, sir.

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Yes. If you see the gap is coming down. I mean we are increasing, and another around also correct. So as I said that it is not only marine jobs we do because if you only depend on marine jobs, it's a big risk. So we do 30%, 35% from marine jobs. Other segments like the airport, or even road what we do, we have to compete with the local players.

So you must have seen the increase in revenue margin from last year to this year. We'll try to do better to reach more margin. But today's scenario is that, that we don't have much overseas jobs. That is one of the reasons we want to go to overseas because we believe overseas will be better. But in India, whatever job we secure, whatever job, we have to secure through competition. And there, if we have to competition for 10% margin, then that is difficult.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] Next question is from the line of Nidhi Shah from ICICI Securities.

N
Nidhi Shah
analyst

I wanted to ask what is the [indiscernible]

Operator

Sorry to interrupt, Ms. Nidhi, there is background noise from your end. Your voice is very...

N
Nidhi Shah
analyst

Am I audible?

Operator

Yes, you are audible now, please proceed.

N
Nidhi Shah
analyst

Okay. What is the depreciation policy for the TBM?

P
Prasad Patwardhan
executive

Sorry. I did not understand your question. Can you please repeat?

N
Nidhi Shah
analyst

What is the depreciation policy for the TBM that you use?

P
Prasad Patwardhan
executive

The TBM depreciation, the current one that we have in use are being depreciated over a period of 5 to 6 years.

Operator

Next question is from the line of Jiten Rushi from Axis Capital.

J
Jiten Rushi
analyst

I just wanted to harp more on the overseas diversification. So these overseas be process, which will be funded by the multinational agency [indiscernible]? Or it would be -- which will be directly from the -- from that particular country, which is something by the company?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Yes, our main focus is to go -- funded by Indian Exim Bank. That is -- Bangladesh, we have secured a job funded by Exim Bank, payment being made in India. And there are a few jobs where we want to go, not totally depending upon the foreign funding, where we have the associate who we know very well and payment will be guaranteed. So that is the first thing we have ensured that payment should come. So they are 2, 3 models we are working. One is Exim Bank, of course. The other models, we are working. So yes, it's like that.

J
Jiten Rushi
analyst

So this payment terms would be like -- these are like fixed price contracts or you'll have some escalation. And how will be the payment terms here?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

So see, basically, in foreign contract, escalation normally you have to cover in your price. That is what we see in foreign contracts, fixed price contracts.

J
Jiten Rushi
analyst

And sir, payment terms would be what? like -- usually you get mobilizing advance also interest fee when you do overseas contracts. So I understand that we will be getting [indiscernible] within these contracts? And again the payment terms should [indiscernible] depends [indiscernible] becomes a challenge.

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Yes, we get mobilization in advance like Bangladesh job is secured and we have a 10% mobilization in advance. We have got [indiscernible], we have got 15% regulation advance. Likewise, in the future, going forward also, we'll get mobilization advance. In addition to that, we have some preliminary items, this is almost like mobilization items. Again, [indiscernible] to get the payment early.

J
Jiten Rushi
analyst

And sir, which segment you're targeting? Only marine or would be like non-marine, especially something like Metro or buildings?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

It is mostly marine and there is another 2 jobs which is bridge and tunnel. I mean, tunnel also is involved, TBM.

J
Jiten Rushi
analyst

Your Bangladesh project, so you're -- in your portion, which is river portion, right, for that Bangladesh transmission company, right, sir?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Yes, yes, yes.

J
Jiten Rushi
analyst

So your order book would be how big and when are you targeting to complete the project, sir?

P
Prasad Patwardhan
executive

Our order value is INR 1,700 crores in terms of Indian rupees.

J
Jiten Rushi
analyst

It is housing order book?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Yes, yes.

J
Jiten Rushi
analyst

Yes. And your completion time line would be on December '25?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Completion time will be December '25 or maybe '26, early '26.

J
Jiten Rushi
analyst

Early '26. Okay. And sir, this is your share, not the JV part, right?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

No, no, this is our share. I mean, INR 1,700 crores, I think we will have more [indiscernible] more. It is around INR 1,200 crores, INR 1,300 crores, in that range.

Operator

Next question is from the line of [ Sriram R. ], an investor.

U
Unknown Attendee

Sir, pardon me if I'm asking the same question, I joined a little late. Can you share the order pipeline for domestic marine orders? And also, what is the proportion of overseas orders in your current order book?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Current order book, we have got around 9% to 10% from overseas, that is current order book. And in pipeline, domestic and overseas, almost 50%, 50% in Marine.

U
Unknown Attendee

Sorry, sir, come again, domestic?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

From the new job, what we are pursuing, in marine at least 50% from overseas and 50% from the domestic.

U
Unknown Attendee

And how is the pipeline looking, sir?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

In terms of the number you are asking?

U
Unknown Attendee

Yes. Yes. I mean I'm just asking whether we'll maintain the same share of 30% for marine going forward.

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Yes, that is the aim to have 30% revenue from marine -- from the overseas market. So today, it is mostly marine we are working, it is overseas. And say around INR 8,000 crores to INR 9,000 crores of business in marine we can see from overseas this year -- I mean opportunity. I mean, how much we'll get very get, that is different. Yes.

U
Unknown Attendee

That is same for domestic, what will be the opportunity?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Yes, domestic also same kind. But domestic, some jobs are going little slow and election also is a factor. The time lines, I cannot say anything, but the opportunities are there. I mean, projects are there.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] Next question is from the line of [ Mehul Mehta ] from Nuvama PCG.

U
Unknown Analyst

Congrats on great set of numbers. Especially on working capital -- core working capital cycle, if we look. It's virtually flat, like on 51% revenue growth. So how should we see it going forward? Is there something one-off during the year? Or like we should see this sustainable?

P
Prasad Patwardhan
executive

No, we have been reporting, our working capital has been in similar range throughout the year. So I think you can work with the similar numbers. There may be some elongation of the working capital cycle going forward, it is normal for our business, but it should not change significantly.

U
Unknown Analyst

If I can further enter into, is that like when I'm looking at debtors, inventories and creditors. If I look at like a net of that, it's like kind of flat. Maybe like whatever like non-billable like in revenue contract and all that I'm not looking at. I'm looking at like debtors plus inventories plus creditors, it is virtually flat. So that is a very significant achievement for me. So how do you see it like -- should be like is that something one-off or like should like -- because 50% is revenue growth, whereas like this net working capital cycle is flat. So how should we see it going forward? That's what is my question.

P
Prasad Patwardhan
executive

No. In fact, most of our projects, we are getting payments on time. As soon as we bill, as per the contract terms, we are getting our payments. So I mean, we don't expect any significant change in the working capital cycle going forward.

U
Unknown Analyst

But over in FY '23, in FY '24, definitely, there is -- I mean it's very, what you call like an efficient working capital, there is improvement. So what I'm looking at is that FY '24 should be continuing and that's sustainable. There's nothing a one-off kind of...

P
Prasad Patwardhan
executive

Any exceptional or nothing that we do, we are expecting this similar cycle to be sustained in the next year. It may be there are few days here and there, but more or less it should be sustainable.

U
Unknown Analyst

Sure, sure. Sir, one more question is in terms of like if I look at the order inflows, like say, in FY '23, there were about INR 8,800 crores. This year, it is about INR 7,000 crores in a year. So on average, if we look at it's about what you call INR 7,000 crores, to what we call like 9,000 crores, and so maybe about INR 7,500 crores kind of average. So going forward, should we look at once government is stable, government is in place like -- I mean, sir has explained about it. But still can we look at a substantial growth on that as compared to average INR 7,500 crores for the last 2 years' average. So should we look at? How can we look at it?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Yes, basically, because of the size of the job what we are bidding for. Suddenly, if you get a job of INR ,4,000 crores and then another job of INR 4,000 crores, then the whole thing changes. It's a matter of 2 big jobs. So we are quite hopeful that we get some big ticket jobs, and we'll be able to achieve the order inflow what we have targeted.

U
Unknown Analyst

Yes. So what I'm questioning is, like once government, stable government because offline there has been significant orders which have been received by kind of H.G. Infra and PNC Infra and all. So it is like coming up. So are we seeing in our segment also like marine or whatever segments we are like very focused? So are we seeing with the government, stable government in place, are we seeing that kind of growth? Your outlook...

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Marine, there are a few big jobs for the government which will be activated after the election results out there, like Vadhavan Port and then few more other jobs. So in private investment from Adani and from the [indiscernible] and from [indiscernible], those marine jobs are domestic, there as a few jobs. [indiscernible] INR 25,000 crores jobs. I mean if you are capable, if we see if we can take a chunk of them, it is a [indiscernible], it is [indiscernible] our team.

Likewise, I say that if you get 2, 3 jobs like that, I feel totally -- the order books totally same. And beyond that we are going to overseas also, trying our best.

Operator

The next follow-up question is from the line of Parikshit Kandpal from HDFC Securities.

P
Parikshit Kandpal
analyst

Jayanta sir, just wanted one clarification. If I see over the last 4, 5 years, your gross margin has been coming down. And whatever the gains in your EBITDA margin, they are largely coming in because of high volumes and savings, because of that lower employee expenses as percentage of sales and even other expenses reducing. So just wanted to understand why is gross margin declining given that Marine has gone up in the mix? If you can give some color on that.

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

I think margin is better than last year -- can you get specifically tell...

P
Parikshit Kandpal
analyst

Gross profit margin. I'm talking about revenue less material cost, that is the gross profit. So your EBITDA margins have increased, but your --in the mix, your gross profit margins have declined over the last few years.

P
Prasad Patwardhan
executive

Pariskhit, I think you need to look at the material cost and the subcontract cost together. It depends on our integration strategy and methodology. In some projects, the subcontract cost may be higher and the material cost maybe lower. So I don't think it's right to only look at the gross margin considering the material costs. Overall, as Mr. Basu said, our margins have only improved and that is what really matters.

P
Parikshit Kandpal
analyst

I agree, Prasad, but your other expenses also reduced as a percent of sales, but I'll take this offline.

My second question is on your -- any -- these 3, 4, last 4, 5 quarters, we've been pretty stable in terms of no major escalation or cost overruns. I just wanted to understand, are all these 3 key projects when we were running continuously on cost, we are largely behind, especially Bangalore Elevated, I think it got completed, something pending there. And any other projects which may create some issue for us in the coming quarters? Or now the worst is behind and we'll see continuity at least in high single-digit or early double-digit margins?

P
Prasad Patwardhan
executive

Yes. So as the projects are concerned, we have Bangalore Metro as all of you know. That is the last 2 quarters before it has [indiscernible]. So what is remaining now only is the [indiscernible]. If you get something from there, that will be only [indiscernible]. Beyond Bangalore Metro, there is no other job where we have got any such issues. So, yes, we are in a comfortable situation as far as [indiscernible] is concerned.

Operator

Okay, sir, next follow-up question is from Nidhi Shah from ICICI Securities.

N
Nidhi Shah
analyst

I want to ask that the employee expenses are proportionately much lower given that you've had a 51% increase in revenue and you're projecting another 20% increase next year. Would there be any further hiring that would sort of make the employee expenses more proportionate to last year?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Yes, there will be definitely [indiscernible] there will be some increase in our employees, and that is a normal cycle of business. Not much, but if we have to do more revenue, there has to be more people as well, not to the proportionate to the increase of revenue, but some proportion to increase.

N
Nidhi Shah
analyst

Okay. So currently, would we see that the employee expense proportional to the revenue would increase by how much? You have -- do you have any rough count on that?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Difficult to tell. The delta increase in the employee cost will be less compared to the increase in revenue. So in that way, proportional, if you see, only marginal increase or even flat in terms of percentage.

N
Nidhi Shah
analyst

Okay. All right. And I also wanted to know what are -- what do you think are the 2 or 3 key drivers for growth of revenues this year?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

I couldn't get it. If you can repeat, please?

N
Nidhi Shah
analyst

What are the 2 or 3 key grow the drivers of revenue for this year?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Well, first of all, we have to -- we are focusing on big jobs. When I say big jobs, INR 1,000 crores, INR 2,000 crores, INR 3,000 crores, in that range.

And when we execute, the big jobs will give you much more revenue than what you do normally with the small jobs. So that is one area that we are focusing on the big jobs.

And second is [indiscernible]. Nowadays those nobody allows a 5-year, 6 years' time, particularly the regional. So we are trying to improve our [indiscernible] cycle so that we can get more turnover per month by mechanizing the things and reducing costs. These are the 2 drivers for the big revenue.

N
Nidhi Shah
analyst

All right. Last question, if you don't mind. What is the order opportunity in underground Metro in next 1 or 2 years?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

There are plenty. Usually I can see that at least 3 jobs -- 4 jobs we have submitted, we're waiting for the opening. So -- if you see, underground Metro is probably around INR 2,000 crores plus, and they are -- kind of few are in the pipeline. So I think around INR 15,000, INR 16,000 crores job opportunities are there in this year. And we have to bid for that. How much we get of that, that is a different issue.

Operator

We will take our last question from the line of [ Sunil Bhojwani ] from [ Vanke ] Investments.

U
Unknown Analyst

Congratulations for the great set of numbers. Can I know what is the order bid pipeline currently? What's the amount?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Bid pipeline, I mean, some we have submitted; some we are working; some we are yet to start, put together, will be around INR 25,000 crores plus.

U
Unknown Analyst

So you had given a guidance of about INR 90,000 crores of order inflow for this year, which approximately means that our success ratio is close to 30% to 35%? Is that the correct understanding?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Actually, INR 25,000 crores order, I mean, pipeline is yet to submit our bid. But there are some already we have submitted before. So -- 35% success rate is quite high. I think it will be around 20%, 25%. Basically, it doesn't depend upon the amount. It depends upon the number. If we are successful to get 20% success, 20% value, maybe 30%, if we have the big ticket jobs. So that calculation has been same a little bit now.

U
Unknown Analyst

So what is the submitted bid amount, sir?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Submitted bid amount will be -- there are 2 figures: one figure will be around close to INR 20,000 crores. And that other figure is INR 8,000 crores. Because the INR 10,000 crores figure, that is a gray area, whether that project will take place immediately or not.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. But we have submitted our bids for these projects, so collectively, it's INR 28,000 crores, where we have collectively bid for the projects, but INR 20,000 crores is the time line can be -- cannot be predicted, right? Is that the correct understanding?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

INR 30,000 crores -- INR 25,000 crores, INR 30,000 crores is the opportunity. We have submitted around close to INR 20,000 crores. Out of that, INR 12,000 crores, we are not sure when and how this will -- it will take off. But it will happen sometime, but we don't know about the time line.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. So if INR 25,000 crores is the bid that -- INR 20,000 crores is the bid we have submitted out of the INR 30,000 crores opportunity, right, sir?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Yes, yes.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. So the other INR 10,000 crores also we plan to submit a bid sooner or later?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Yes, the work is going on. And some of them are related to elections. So maybe another 3, 4 months' time, we'll be able to submit.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. And out of this order pipeline, you said that domestic and international would be about 50-50, right?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

That is in a particular segment, that is the Marine.

U
Unknown Analyst

Only in marine. Okay. Otherwise, what would be the breakup of domestic and international in this bids?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Otherwise, domestic is [indiscernible] domestic. There is some jobs is overseas [indiscernible] but that is not much. I don't want to quantify now. I don't have the figure now [indiscernible].

U
Unknown Analyst

No, I'm just trying to understand, sir, if we kind of submit, say, by next quarter, we are ready with the INR 30,000 crore opportunity and with a success rate of 20%, 25%, we are still left with INR 7,000 crores, INR 8,000 crores order -- new order inflow. And we are kind of going to realize about INR 9,500 crores of revenue?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Yes, I'll tell you one thing you, see at INR 30,000 crores, 20% success, this doesn't work nowadays. In one job if you get INR 8,000 crores, only 1 job. So it has to go to the number. How many tenders you have submitted? And how much we may expect to get? And what is the value of that job? So sometimes Marine has seen 35% success rate.

U
Unknown Analyst

So can I say that you are being a little conservative right since this is the beginning of the year for the order inflow and maybe you would revise the guidance going ahead? Is that the correct way to look at it?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

So probably this, I'm not conservative. I think whatever number I have said, that is the upper limit, around INR 9,000 crores.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. Okay. So you think that is the upper limit and crossing that would be a bonus.

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Yes, yes, yes.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. And you maintain by the 20% growth guidance?

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Yes, yes, yes.

Operator

Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, we will take this as the last question for the day. I would now like to hand the conference over to the management for the closing comments.

P
Prasad Patwardhan
executive

Thank you so much for joining us for this Q4 FY '24 earnings con call. We appreciate your support and interest in the performance of our company. We look forward to interacting with you in the next quarter. Thank you.

J
Jayanta Basu
executive

Thank you.

Operator

On behalf of ICICI Securities, that concludes this conference. Thank you all for joining us, and you may now disconnect your lines.

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