J Kumar Infra sees Rs 350cr in FY09 revenue

J Kumar Infraprojects’ net sales were down 10% in Q1 FY09 at Rs.89.4 crore as against Rs.99.28 crore. Operating profit margins were down 16.03% as against 18.65%.

Nalin Gupta, Executive Director, J Kumar Infraprojects said the company is targeting a topline growth of more than Rs 350 crore this fiscal.

Excerpts from CNBC-TV18’s exclusive interview with Nalin Gupta:

Q: Could you walk us through your numbers this quarter around? What is the future outlook?

A: We have achieved a turnover of Rs 89 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2008. Profit after tax, or PAT, margin this quarter is 8.5%. We are looking forward to a total topline of more than Rs 350 crore this fiscal.

Q: QoQ would not be a nice way to look at your company, but there is a bit of slippage on a QoQ basis, both on topline as well as bottomline. Is the monsoon affecting J Kumar Infraprojects, or is it something else?

A: Monsoons are surely playing a role, but not totally because we have less rain this year. Input cost, i.e. the cost of steel and cement, has gone up substantially. There has been some setback in total production and output. As the government has taken proper steps in giving us a suitable relief in this matter, being the first quarter, we are already around Rs 89 crore. So, with the normal multiplication factor, we should be able to cross our Rs 350 crore target.

Q: In April 2008, your order book stood close to about Rs 570 crore. What does the order book stand as of now and what is the execution timeline for the same?

A: The order book as on March 2008 was Rs 620 crore. As of June 30, 2008, we have an order book close to Rs 720 crore. We see a fantastic future ahead, because J Kumar stands strong in the infrastructure industry, especially the transport-engineering space. This industry is booming and we look forward to a fantastic future ahead.

Q: Is the timeline for the order book execution close to 20 months?

A: On an average, it is two years ranging from 18 months to around 24 months. On an average, it’s 24 months. 

Q: By when do you expect to complete all the flyovers that you are making in Mumbai?

A: By the end of this year. We are look forward to put the Thakur Complex flyover into operation soon. We will also be completing some subways and underpasses this fiscal.