VSTTILLERS Q2-2024 Earnings Call - Alpha Spread

VST Tillers Tractors Ltd
NSE:VSTTILLERS

Watchlist Manager
VST Tillers Tractors Ltd Logo
VST Tillers Tractors Ltd
NSE:VSTTILLERS
Watchlist
Price: 4 431.1 INR -1.51% Market Closed
Market Cap: 38.3B INR
Have any thoughts about
VST Tillers Tractors Ltd?
Write Note

Earnings Call Analysis

Summary
Q2-2024

Robust Growth and Positive Outlook in Q2

The company exhibited a strong performance in Q2, achieving a revenue growth of 19% year-over-year to INR 278 crores, while profit before tax surged by 47%. Operational EBITDA was robust at roughly 15.4% of revenue. Power Tiller sales grew by 22%, however, a degrowth was seen in the tractor segment. Nonetheless, Power Weeder and Reaper sales increased. Halving the fiscal year, revenue climbed by 12% to INR 524 crores. The company has a vision to reach INR 3,000 crores by FY '26, aiming for nearly 20% growth with exports contributing 10%-15% of revenue. Despite a slow start in Q1, the sentiment for Q3 and Q4 remains optimistic, backed by positive responses to the new VST 9 series tractors and a commitment to maintain projections for selling 1,200 units of Zetor tractors within 12 months.

Earnings Call Transcript

Earnings Call Transcript
2024-Q2

from 0
A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Ladies and gentlemen. Good day, and welcome to V.S.T. Tillers Tractors Limited 2Q FY '23/'24 post results conference call hosted by B&K Securities. From V.S.T. Tillers Limited management, we have with us today Mr. V.T. Ravindra, Managing Director; Mr. Antony Cherukara, Chief Executive Officer; Mr. Nitin Agrawal, Chief Financial Officer. [Operator Instructions] Also, may I remind you of the safe harbor. The company may be make some forward-looking statements that has to be understood in connection with the uncertainty and the risks that the company faces. Over to you, sir.

N
Nitin Agrawal
executive

Hello. Good evening, everyone. I'm Nitin Agrawal, Chief Financial Officer of the company. I'll first take you through the brief presentation which we have made for the Q2 financials. And then we'll open for question and answers. So I hope my screen is visible and you can see the slides, Jayaraj?

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Yes, sir. Yes sir.

N
Nitin Agrawal
executive

Yes. So the vision and mission of the company we have mentioned. So I'll straight away go to the key financial highlights for the quarter. And I'm very happy to announce that we have -- in terms of revenue, 19% where in this quarter, company has recorded a revenue of INR 278 crores, which is a growth of 19%. In terms of profit before tax, INR 49.66 crores is the profit before tax for the year quarter, which was last year INR 33.74 crores, which is again a very healthy growth of 47%. But what's more important for us is the operational EBITDA, which we track to monitor the performance of the company, which is INR 43.11 crores, which is roughly 15.4% of the revenue and also the net profit increase. Moving on, in the next slide, we have captured about the sales volume both for our smart farm mechanization business unit as well as factors for quarter 2. So as you can see, that our Power Tiller in the current quarter, we have sold 10,729 units against in the same period last year, it was around 8,800 units, which is a healthy growth of around 22%. In tractor, we are seeing a de-growth. There are reasons around it, and maybe we can, during the question-and-answer session, maybe talk about it. Power Weeder has also -- Power Weeder and Reaper both have seen the growth in the current quarter. Moving on to the profit and loss statement. In the current quarter, revenue from operation is INR 278 crores with respect to the similar period last year, it was INR 234 crores, which is a growth of 19%. And as I mentioned, EBITDA is 19.5%. But when it comes to only the operational EBITDA, which is excluding the other income, which is primarily from the mark-to-market gain. If we exclude that and only capture about the operational EBITDA, it is 15.48%, which is quite healthy. Now the sales volume for H1 as a whole, which is basically putting together Q1 and Q2 both. So in Power Tiller, we have sold 19,800 units with respect to the same period last year, it was 17,900, which is roughly 10% growth. Tractor, the similar thing which I mentioned to you before, we are seeing a growth in Power Weeder and Reapers as well. Moving on to my next slide is the profit and loss statement for H1 as a whole. So for the half year, the revenue is INR 524 crores compared to INR 470 crores of last year, which is a 12% increase. In terms of EBITDA, around 19% for the current half year and operational EBITDA is 14.26%. Yes, so this is a brief presentation about the performance. Now I would open the floor for questions.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

[Operator Instructions] The first question is from Mr. Raj Rishi.

R
Raj Rishi
analyst

Yes, your 2025 vision, which you have stated to be INR 3,000 crores would entail significant growth from present levels. Could you just elaborate as to how you want to go about it?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes. We had said in the earlier calls that the Vision 2025, as we called it, will be achieved in FY '26, considering the delay we had during COVID and the supply disruptions.

R
Raj Rishi
analyst

Okay. So '26 means, I would assume FY '26, '27, right?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

FY '26.

R
Raj Rishi
analyst

FY '26 -- '25, '26.

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Correct.

R
Raj Rishi
analyst

So you are reasonably confident of reaching this aspiration of INR 3,000 crores by when?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

The projects are all in place and you are seeing the growth happening. In quarter 2, we had a slow start in Q1. But quarter 2, we are geared up to almost 20% growth. We expect Q3 and Q4 also to be good.

R
Raj Rishi
analyst

And how much of this aspirational INR 3,000 crores would be -- what's the vision as far as exports are concerned, what figure would it be?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Like we have said, exports will be in the tune of 10% to 15% of this -- that revenue.

R
Raj Rishi
analyst

What I understand is like even your competitors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Escorts, Sonalika, I would assume TAFE also. They are also getting very aggressive. So is the market so big but those are very efficient and competent competitors, right? So is the market so big in India that it will absorb all this like including your aspirational target?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

So I think the companies that you mentioned are major tractor players. So we are a major small farm machinery player, which is the power tiller segment, the reaper segment, the power weeder segment and the compact tractor segment. So there is a significant difference between those companies and us. And we see that the compact tractor segment earlier also in the calls I have said very clear target of growing the business globally in the compact tractor segment and growing very aggressively in the small farm mechanization segment. And both of them, we are able to do.

R
Raj Rishi
analyst

Okay. Okay. And any comments on the land which you have for monetization I think it's Whitefield, right?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes. Right now, the status quo is maintained. There is no new news on that.

R
Raj Rishi
analyst

Can you share some because it must be -- can you share us to what kind of value would it be? Is it 21 acres or something in Whitefield?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes, around that, but there is actually no new news on that. So we will let you know as things develop.

R
Raj Rishi
analyst

But as of now, what's the market rate for that kind of property like per acre?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

I don't know the exact figure. So it won't be right on my part to say anything.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Next, I'll read some questions from the chat box. How is our tie up with Zetor shaping up? When are we planning to launch products under this arrangement.

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes, the first tractors will be built in this month, November 2023.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

The next question is, I'm again reading from the chat box. While there has been a degrowth for tractor volumes in 2Q '20 -- FY '24, can you please throw some light on the same?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

V.S.T., as you know, is focused on the compact tractor market. The compact tractor market, specifically in Maharashtra has degrown. Markets like Solapur, Nagar and certain parts of Nashik has received lower rainfall and also the certain orchard crops like pomegranate has got affected. Hence, you have seen a degrown in Maharashtra, which has also affected us. This is the primary reason that you can see further degrowth.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Next question is from Shreyas Jain.

S
Shreyas Jain
analyst

Congratulations on a good set of numbers. I have a few questions regarding Monarch and Zetor. So regarding Monarch, what are the numbers we did in Q2? And what is the guidance going forward? Like what's the volume, revenue and guidance for Monarch?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes. Monarch, as you would know that we are supplying the drive train to Monarch company. So the projections they had told us for this year is close to 1,000 units, which is on track as of H1, and we expect it to be on track in H2 as well.

S
Shreyas Jain
analyst

Okay. And what's the expected revenue from this?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Roughly about INR 50 crores.

S
Shreyas Jain
analyst

Okay. INR 50 crores. Got it. Okay. And any guidance going forward for Monarch? Or is that like come back with a little later?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

I think it will be better that we speak towards next quarter because that will be a new calendar year by when we would have the projections from Monarch.

S
Shreyas Jain
analyst

All right, makes sense, sure. Okay. Now I have a question regarding Zetor so you are saying we will -- first tractor will be built in November '23. But so the product launch that we did in September end or October beginning. So we have not sold a single unit yet? And...

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

No, we have not built a single unit. We will be sending those tractors to the market in November.

S
Shreyas Jain
analyst

Okay. And so -- and the guidance remains the same of around 1,200 tractors in 12 months?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes.

S
Shreyas Jain
analyst

First 12 months?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes.

S
Shreyas Jain
analyst

And what's the average cost like realization per tractor in that?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Roughly about INR 7 lakhs.

S
Shreyas Jain
analyst

Okay. Okay. And so in small farm mechanization, the products included are power tillers, weeders and reapers, right?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes.

S
Shreyas Jain
analyst

And the number is given there, okay. And the tractor guidance growth, which you gave a 15% that includes Zetor as well as Monarch? Or does that only include Zetor?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

It includes all tractors, full tractors.

S
Shreyas Jain
analyst

Everything. So Monarch can like or the new electric stuff also?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes. Correct.

S
Shreyas Jain
analyst

Okay. And any like exports market, what's happening in the exports market, like why our exports not [ correlate ] like the Europe, I think there's recession, what does that saying?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

We are doing very well in exports. In fact, our exports have grown by almost 50% in H1.

S
Shreyas Jain
analyst

Okay. And I have one other question. In FY '23, other revenue of INR 203 crores. Like can you give a breakup of that? Like what are the segments which are bigger than INR 20 crores to INR 30 crores in revenue breakup of that other revenue?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

FY '23?

S
Shreyas Jain
analyst

Yes.

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

I think you'll have to come back. We will just get it. I don't have that figure readily with me of FY '23.

S
Shreyas Jain
analyst

Surely, I'll get back in the queue.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Next question is from Arjun Khanna. I'll go for some questions from the question box. What is the outlook in 2H FY '24 for the tillers and tractors for the industry and for the company?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Tillers like I'm maintaining the guidance, which I have said 15% to 20% we will do in tillers. For tractors, we had said around 10% to 15% earlier was the guidance that I had given. But it looks like it will be flattish for this financial year. But the industry is also trending towards the same. It looks like it will be low negative or slightly flattish is what the commentary has been for the industry.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Arjun, are you online? Then I'll read some more questions from there. How is the response for the VST 9 series tractors? And how is the demand shaping up?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Very good response. We are hoping the second half will be much better because the first half, as I said, rainfall created the problems in those specific markets where compact tractors are used. We expect the H2 to be better. The response on the tractors has been very good.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

[Operator Instructions] In the meantime, I'll go through the questions in the chatbox. Any price hikes affected in the 2Q for tractors and tillers. Given the stability in RM prices, are we looking to take any more price hikes and maintain our margins at the current levels?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

So we definitely have healthy margins at this point in time. But as I have said before, we are investing into growth and that we'll continue on various fronts. And the second point to be noted is we have not fully recovered the commodity price impact that we had, which we couldn't pass on completely to the market. So we will be open to a price increase, but we don't have a definite decision at this point in time.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Next question is from Mr. [ Vandit ]

U
Unknown Analyst

Am I audible?

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Yes, yes. Very much.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. My first question was if you could just give us some split of 2Q revenue by tillers, tractors and spares, it would be great?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes, just a second. That presentation has the detail. However, we'll just read it out. For Q2, the revenue for small farm machines is INR 172 crores, tractors is INR 72 crores, distribution is INR 27 crores, and the rest is roughly about INR 9 crores.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. Understood. And these new high HP tractors that we're making with Zetor in terms of the margins, are they similar to the compact ones or how different will they be?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes, it will be slightly lower compared to the compact tractors because these are new products that will go into the market at a certain cost amortized in terms of development. So in that sense, the margins will be slightly lower. But eventually, it will be equal.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. And you've guided towards flattish growth in tractors in FY '24. This is despite of the new launches and the 1,000 units being sold to Monarch. So is it fair to assume that otherwise, we could see about a 20% decline due to the erratic monsoon this year? And the reason why I ask is I was wondering what the potential of rebound growth could be or some pent-up demand that could come in next year...

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

The flattish growth is purely the tractors domestic plus international, that doesn't include Monarch. So if you include Monarch, it will be around close to that 10% mark.

U
Unknown Analyst

Sure. So we did about 6,800 tractors last year. We can do about 7,800 including Monarch. Would that be right?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Around, around.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. understood. And just one last clarification is in terms of CapEx, you had -- I think, earlier guided to about INR 50 crores this year and next year each, does that stand? Or are we looking at any further expansion? And I think you also pointed out towards some inorganic opportunities that you are looking at. So if you could just share some updates out there.

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes. The CapEx is continuing. However, the global tech center development will go into next year as well because it's a larger long-ish project. We are very aggressive on the inorganic opportunity as well.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. So is -- can we expect something coming up sometime soon? Or do these things take time?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

We are evaluating opportunities at the moment. And once anything is concretely done, we will come back to you.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Next is Arjun Khanna. Okay, probably we'll come back to him later. Next, I'll move to Sunil Joshi.

S
Sunil Joshi
analyst

Yes. so on the last call, we had already mentioned that we have started supplying to the electric tractors manufacturers outside India. Can you throw some light on how as a customer response be towards the same. Do you see electrification picking up pace in the tractor category in the near term or what's your view on that? [Technical Difficulty]

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Management, can you hear us sir. Probably, I'll check the management. You could hear us?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

yes, yes. We can you hear you. Yes.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Okay. I will ask the person to ask the question again.

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Can you hear Jayaraj, can you hear us?

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Yes sir. Now, we could hear, sir. Neil, I think you might have to ask the question again.

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes. Neil, like I said, the question was on the review of the electric tractors. I think the review has been good. The feedback that we have been getting is good. The segment that they are selling is the autonomous tractor, the driver optional tractor as they call it, and the response has been good. I hope you can hear me.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Yes sir, we could hear you, sir.

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Okay.

U
Unknown Executive

Jayaraj, there seems to be some audio problem. I think the attendees are not able to hear us.

Operator

Sir, I would like to announce, but we'll take the next question from the participant, [ Vidit ].

U
Unknown Analyst

Sorry, I think I may have raised my hand my mistake. I don't have anything.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Raj Rishi.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

I think now I'll ask questions from the chat box. You could hear me now, sir?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes. Yes.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

I'll ask some questions from the chat box.

R
Raj Rishi
analyst

I'd like to know what's the cost advantage of manufacturing in India. One, my understanding is the steel cost is significantly lower. And second would be the labor cost. So net-net, what's the cost advantage? If you can give some figures? Is it 20%, 30%, what is it?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Compared to?

R
Raj Rishi
analyst

Compared to whatever you consider your competition to be, East Europe or whatever it is. I'm not aware of what would be the competition.

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

No. We have competition mainly in India, right? So in that sense, we are all at par in terms of competing. But when we are supplying electric tractors and the OEMs whom we are supplying to, definitely tell us that there is an advantage of roughly about 20% to 30% when they source from India. And depends on which market they are sourcing for especially for the U.S. and Europe, I think these are the kind of figures.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Okay. And internationally, you don't think anybody can give this kind of costing as Indian manufacturer can?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

I don't think it's just the cost advantage. It is also the product itself that the requirement for an autonomous or a driver optional tractor and the feature requirement is something that we can give it to them at a very competitive price. So I think that becomes the advantage.

R
Raj Rishi
analyst

Okay. And you mentioned about the inorganic opportunities which you were looking at. Would it be in your present line of business? Or would it be something else?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Present line of business.

R
Raj Rishi
analyst

You're not looking at any adjacencies or something else precision engineering I talked about earlier.

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

We have been looking at it, but we have not found the right one yet.

R
Raj Rishi
analyst

Okay. Okay. And construction equipment around, that's not something you'll get into.

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

No, we are not.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

I'll read some questions from the chat box. Earlier, our margin guidance -- EBITDA margin guidance was 11% to 13%. Do you want to revise it upwards for FY '24.

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

So we'll hold it at 11% to 13%. Like I said, we are going to spend or we are in the process of spending for growth. And definitely, we will be meeting the guidance figures for sure.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

And the next 2 questions, can you share approximate realization for tiller and a tractor?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

So we won't be able to give out realization figures for either of the product. That is confidential information.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Okay. Can you share some colors or agreements with Solectrac in USA for the development of electric power tillers?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes. So they have asked us to develop electric power tillers with a certain specification, which we are working on to deliver to them. We can't get into the details of the specification because we are prevented by the nondisclosure agreement that we have signed with them.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Next in the question queue is Mr. Siddharth.

U
Unknown Analyst

Sir, I might have missed out this a little clarification in the earlier call. So now that we are kind of thinking of higher growth. How about the distribution network that we are planning? Are existing set of network are enough? Or like what is the game plan over there? If you can just elaborate on that?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes. So we have continuously grown our network, which will continue to grow further. Currently, our tiller network is roughly around 650, tractor is around 300, 350. We have taken a pause on tractors. We wanted to wait for the Zetor launch, et cetera, to happen. So we will be growing that further, continuously growing it.

U
Unknown Analyst

And particularly the Northern markets, sir, where...

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes. Yes. We will be growing -- in the next 2 to 3 years, you will find us completely covering the northern markets.

U
Unknown Analyst

And any numbers of distribution network that you have kept in mind for -- achieve?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

See, most of -- if you benchmark the industry, everybody has around 800 to 900 dealers or 1,000 dealers. We are at, like I said, 300 dealers. So we are looking at around the same number of dealers that we need to have to cover the entire market, including the North.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. So the idea is to cover almost all the at least the district level market.

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Absolutely. With the full range coming in, we will be covering all the markets.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. Okay. And sir, one more clarification. The same distribution network will be used for our small farm equipments and...

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

No. No. It's a completely different network. That network is already at 650 plus. That will continue to grow beyond 1,000.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. And this 350 will go to 700 to 800 you are saying?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Correct.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Yes. I will read some more questions from the chat box. What is the production capacity currently for tillers and tractors.

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Installed capacity of pillars is about 72,000. And tractors, it is at about 25,000 -- 25,000 to 30,000, yes.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

And the next question is from Shreyas.

S
Shreyas Jain
analyst

In the Q1 call, you mentioned that we have 680 dealers in tillers and 370 dealers in tractors. So like have we lost some dealers or?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

No, we have not lost. I'm not keeping an exact figure to tell you. That's why I said around 300 and around 650, right? We have not lost dealers.

S
Shreyas Jain
analyst

Okay. And sir, do you have the numbers...

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Most definitely on tractors.

S
Shreyas Jain
analyst

Okay. So that will resume post Zetor launch in the next year?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Correct. Correct.

S
Shreyas Jain
analyst

Okay. And do you have the FY '23 revenue breakup available now, sir, for the probably the -- like the large segments.

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

No, we will come back to you on that, yes.

S
Shreyas Jain
analyst

Okay. No worries. Okay. All right. Got it. And what were the -- okay. No. Power weeder guidance of 6,000 still stands for the year?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Definitely.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Next questions. Can you explain what is the basis of INR 3,000 crores sales in the next 3, 4 years? We have to triple the revenue from the current level of INR 1,000 crores?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes. So in -- we had set clear strategic directions for that, one is grow the small farm mechanization business, establish leadership in the compact tractor segment, increased utilization for higher HP tractors, including the VST Zetor as well as supplies to various OEMs, including electric OEMs, build the distribution business, look at precision implement division and also look at evolving technologies to invest into. So these are the 6 strategic direction. And all the 6 strategic directions, actions have been taken. As you can see, some of them have started yielding revenues. Some of them are being built up. The electric pump business, we have moved from 2 states last year to about 6 to 7 states this year, and we will continue to grow that business. Like I've said before, in the next 3 to 4 years, we will be INR 100 crores business in electric pumps -- so all of the triggers that we are working on to get to INR 3,000 crores is definitely in the works. The second aspect, which I have stated before, for me, the INR 3,000 crores was to get the company to move into a very aggressive growth strategy. Last 3 years, we have clocked a CAGR of over 20% or close to 20%. So we expect to accelerate on that in the next 2 to 3 years, which should take us in the vicinity of INR 3,000 crores is what we believe in. And we expect that to happen.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

And how was the technical exhibition in Germany, how was the response?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

AGRITECHNICA in Germany is happening from November 12 to 18 in Hanover, Germany. We will be in call 7, booth B-38, all of you are welcome to visit us. We are displaying technology, the first VST electric tractor will be displayed there. The first Stage 5, 30 HP tractor for Europe will be displayed there. The first cabin tractor for Europe will be displayed there. We will also be displaying the loader version for 29 HP in this exhibition along with our Stage 5 24 HP engine as well. So this is from November 12 to 18. Several new technologies we are displaying there.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Can you comment on management bandwidth, given the many businesses that we are looking to expand, have you expanded our team? Can you talk about the additions?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes. We have definitely looked at required bandwidth, and we will continue to add. We have people joining us from various companies in very senior roles. We will continue to strengthen our technology capacity, both in terms of developing new technologies like electric and also building on to our strength, which is the compact tractor as well as the small farm machines.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Next question is from Mr. Ashish.

U
Unknown Analyst

Can you hear me?

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Yes, yes.

U
Unknown Analyst

So just wanted to understand, you gave certain fractions as to this target that we have something around INR 3,000 crores somewhere so what is the contribution from tractors that one should assume that you are working with there in terms of revenue contribution?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

40% from tractors, roughly about 40% from small farm machines and all the other businesses put together around 20%.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. So that is INR 1,200-odd crores that you are expecting from tractors versus current revenue would be...

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Around INR 300 crores.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. So quite a quantum leap that we are expecting here?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes, we are doing launches for higher horsepower -- we're launching higher horsepower getting into the northern market we were totally absent in. We were operating only 90,000 tractors industry. So now with higher horsepower, slowly we are ending into the larger segment of the industry.

U
Unknown Analyst

Yes, sir. So I mean what gives you the confidence that, I mean, the sales would pick up to that extent and I understand your preps would be there and your network and dealers will be steady for the launches. But versus what is the kind of USP that you would have to kind of ensure that sales happen in these new launches...

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes. So if you look at the numbers that is required to get to INR 1,200 crores, it's not comparable to the large players, which is already in the market. So in that sense, I don't see that achieving those numbers are extremely difficult. I don't see that it is extremely difficult. Point number one. Point number two, the strategy is not betting on just 1 factor to grow because if it was just 1 factor to grow, then we wouldn't be looking at 6, 7 strategic directions which is being empowered by separate profits under heads like somebody asked just the previous question in terms of increasing bandwidth, bringing people from the industry at leadership level, creating profit centers and driving growth. So these are the things that we are doing. So we are not -- while the focus is definitely there from a profit center perspective on each profit center. But the bet is not just on one aspect of the strategy. It's 6 arms that we are working on.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. Okay. And sir, the profitability would be higher as we move to tractors being a larger proportion of your supply or would you say that the margins would be similar to [indiscernible].

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes. Definitely, as the volume grows, the margin will keep increasing. Definitely, yes. As you can see, our margins are maintained because our inherent strength of frugality is maintained as well. So VST has a tremendous strength of frugality because it has always worked in small farm machines, power tillers, which has always been in the service of small and marginal farmers. So you cannot build in a cost, which is not affordable for the small and marginal farmer which is in the DNA of this company. Which will definitely help us when we get into the larger segment as well.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Yes. Next I'll read a question from the chat box, sir. We had mentioned in last call the shift in consumer behavior or pattern towards nondependence on subsidies. Do you see this persisting on a longer term, your thoughts on that.

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Definitely, I believe that it will continue in the longer term. One significant reason for that is labor is not available. All the labor available is very expensive. So the customer cannot wait for subsidy to come to buy. It is today's need, and hence, he will go ahead and buy. And DVT actually facilitates this purchase process because the confidence is there, if at all, the subsidy comes, it will come into my account. My account in the sense, the customer's account. So that creates the confidence in him to go ahead with the purchase. So I believe it will sustain in the longer term.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

The next question. How ready are we for BS V tractor launch? Do we expect deadline to get pushed in India and BS V?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes, we will be very much ready for BS V. As far as the deadline push is concerned, I'm not privy to information on that so I can't comment on that.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

And then 1 more question on the new board appointment. Reason and expectation from Mr. Rai, board appointment.

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes, Mr. Rai is first generation entrepreneur and Founder and Chairman of Suprajit Group of companies, a listed top 500 company in India, having presence in multiple geographies. He is a global leader in mechanical control cable systems and halogen bulbs and very much experienced in the automotive industry. He has an engineering background with Industrial Engineering degree from Dalhousie University, Canada. And with all his experience as an entrepreneur, as an industrialist and as expert from the industry, we believe that we are going to gain much from his joining our board.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Okay. And somebody has asked in that exhibition is our hall 7, booth 38.

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

yes, hall 7, booth 38.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

More questions. So when we reach INR 3,000 crore revenue also, our EBITDA margin can be maintained?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

I don't think otherwise it doesn't make too much sense to get to 3,000. We would definitely be focused on margins. I don't think we will go dry on margins to get or buy growth. That will not happen with V.S.T.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Those are all the questions in the chat box. There's no more questions. Yes. That's all there.

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes, I think, Jayaraj, if questions aren't there, then we can...

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

We have one more small question has come up. VST's Nayan tractors are higher HP tractors. That's what the question is.

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Series 9 is compact tractors.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

It's a smaller HP one?

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

That's all the questions, sir.

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Thank you.

A
Annamalai Jayaraj
analyst

Thank the management for taking time out for the call. We thank all the participants.

A
Antony Cherukara
executive

Yes. Thank you. Thank you very much.

All Transcripts

Back to Top