Dear Members
On behalf of the Board of Directors ("the Board"), it gives
me immense pleasure to present the Thirty Fifth (35th) Annual Report on the business and
operations of your Company together with the Audited Financial Statements for the year
ended 31st March, 2024.
FINANCIAL RESULTS:
( H in crores, except EPS)
Particulars |
Standalone |
|
Consolidated |
|
|
2023-24 |
2022-23 |
2023-24 |
2022-23 |
Revenue from operations |
3,332.31 |
2,783.59 |
3,557.07 |
3,011.55 |
Other Income |
46.24 |
34.14 |
43.72 |
31.43 |
Total Revenue |
3,378.55 |
2,817.73 |
3,600.79 |
3,042.98 |
EBIDTA |
569.17 |
443.61 |
602.74 |
485.70 |
Less: Finance Cost |
66.19 |
57.65 |
69.85 |
62.38 |
Less: Depreciation |
71.88 |
62.55 |
82.58 |
64.73 |
Profit before Exceptional Items and Tax |
431.10 |
323.41 |
450.31 |
358.59 |
Profit before Tax |
431.10 |
323.41 |
450.31 |
358.59 |
Tax Expenses / (Credit) |
110.80 |
85.24 |
112.39 |
81.81 |
Net Profit |
320.30 |
238.17 |
337.92 |
276.78 |
Other comprehensive Income (net of tax) |
2.07 |
(15.43) |
(1.94) |
(40.34) |
Total Comprehensive Income |
322.37 |
222.74 |
335.98 |
236.44 |
Basic & Diluted EPS (in H) |
16.17 |
12.03 |
17.06 |
13.97 |
OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Despite the challenging environment and rise in input costs, your
Company has achieved growth in total revenue on consolidated basis. The Company achieved
sales volume of 96.8 million meters and turnover of H3,557.07 crores on a consolidated
basis during the year under review.
At a consolidated level, the total revenue increased by 18.33% to
H3,600.79 crores for FY 2023-24 as against H3,042.98 crores in the previous year. Your
Company reported EBIDTA and Net Profit of H602.74 crores and H337.92 crores respectively
for the year ended 31st March, 2024.
On a standalone basis, total revenue increased by 19.90% to H3,378.55
crores for the year ended 31st March, 2024 as against H2,817.73 crores in the previous
year. Further, your Company
achieved EBIDTA and Net Profit of H569.17 crores and H320.30 crores
respectively for the year ended 31st March, 2024.
The financial and operational performance overview and outlook is
provided in detail in the Management Discussion and Analysis forming part of this Annual
Report.
RESERVES & DIVIDEND
During the year under review, the Company has not transferred any
amount to the General Reserves. As on 31st March, 2024, Reserves and Surplus (other
equity) of the Company were at H2,007.83 Crores including retained earnings of H1,990.92
Crores.
Continuing the past trend of declaring dividend, your Directors are
pleased to recommend a Final Dividend @ 110% i.e. H2.20/- per equity share of face value
of H2/- each amounting
to H43,57,19,548 subject to the approval of members of the Company at
the ensuing Annual General Meeting. The aforesaid dividend is in line with the Dividend
Distribution Policy adopted by the Company.
Pursuant to Regulation 43A of the Securities and Exchange Board of
India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (SEBI Listing
Regulations), the Board has approved and adopted the Dividend Distribution Policy and the
same has been displayed on the Company's website at the link -
www.indocount.com/images/investor/Dividend-Distribution-Policy1.pdf
STATE OF COMPANY'S AFFAIRS
Discussion on state of Company's affairs has been covered as part
of the Management Discussion and Analysis. Management Discussion and Analysis for the year
under review, as stipulated under the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure
Requirements) Regulations, 2015 is presented in a separate section forming part of this
Annual Report.
SHARE CAPITAL
The paid-up equity share capital of the Company as on 31st March, 2024
was H39,61,08,680/-. During the year under review, there has been no change in the
Authorised, Issued, Subscribed and Paid-up Share Capital of your Company.
Your Company has not issued any equity shares with differential voting
rights, convertible securities, warrants or sweat equity shares. Further, your Company
does not have any employee stock option scheme or employee stock purchase scheme.
CREDIT RATING
During the year under review, for long term bank facilities of your
Company, credit rating re-affirmed by ICRA is "AA-" (Double A minus) with Stable
outlook and CareEdge re-affirmed credit rating to "AA-" (Double A minus) with
Stable outlook. This credit rating signifies strong degree of safety regarding timely
servicing of financial obligations. Such facilities carry low credit risk. Further, for
the Company's short term bank facilities, credit rating re-affirmed by ICRA and
CareEdge is "A1+" (A One Plus). This credit rating signifies very strong degree
of safety regarding timely payment of financial obligations. Such facilities carry lowest
credit risk.
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
Pursuant to section 134(3)(d) of the Act, your Company confirm having
received necessary declarations from all the
Independent Directors under section 149(7) of the Companies Act, 2013
declaring that they meet the criteria of independence laid down under Section 149(6) of
the Companies Act, 2013 and Regulation 16(b) of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and
Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.
BOARD EVALUATION
Pursuant to provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and the SEBI (Listing
Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, the Board has carried out an
annual evaluation of the performance of the Board, its Committees and of individual
Directors. Performance evaluation has been carried out as per the Nomination &
Remuneration Policy of the Company.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company are prepared in
accordance with the Indian Accounting Standards notified under the Companies (Indian
Accounting Standards) Rules, 2015. The Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the
Company for the year ended 31st March, 2024 along with the Auditors' Report forms
part of this Annual Report.
The Audited Financial Statements of the Company and subsidiaries are
available on the website of the Company at www.indocount.com. Further, a copy of the
Audited Financial Statements of the subsidiaries shall be made available for inspection at
the registered office of the Company during business hours on any working day upto the
date of Annual General Meeting. As per Section 136 of the Companies Act, 2013, any
shareholder interested in obtaining a copy of separate Financial Statements of the
subsidiaries shall make specific request in writing to the Company Secretary.
SUBSIDIARIES
As on 31st March, 2024, your Company has four (4) wholly owned
subsidiaries viz. Indo Count Retail Ventures Private Limited, Indo Count Global Inc., Indo
Count UK Limited and Indo Count Global DMCC.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 129(3) of the Companies Act, 2013
("the Act") read with rules made thereunder, a statement containing salient
features of the financial position of subsidiaries is given in Form AOC-1 attached as
"Annexure 1" forming integral part of this Report. As required under Section 134
of the Companies Act, 2013, the said form also highlights performance of the subsidiaries.
Your Company does not have any Associate Company as defined under the
Companies Act, 2013 and has not entered into any joint venture agreement during the year
under review. During the year under review, Indo Count Global, Inc., is a material
subsidiary. The Company has adopted a policy on material subsidiaries and the same is
uploaded on the website of the Company which can be accessed through the web-link
www.indocount.com/images/investor/Policy-on-Material-Subsidiaries.pdf
BRAND ACQUISITION
The Company's wholly owned subsidiary Indo Count Global
Inc., has acquired the international home fashion brand "Wamsutta" from Beyond,
Inc. for $10.25 million and the said acquisition of Brand Wamsutta was completed on 19th
April, 2024. Wamsutta is an industry-leading home fashion brand which has delighted
generation of consumers with luxurious bed, bath and other home fashion products. This
acquisition is to strengthen Indo Count's brand portfolio, and elevate its position
in the premium market segment.
DIRECTORS AND KEY MANAGERIAL PERSONNEL
Appointment / Reappointment
The Board of Directors at its meeting held on 27th May, 2024 has (i)
Re-appointed Mr. Kailash R. Lalpuria (DIN: 00059758) as a Whole Time Director designated
as "Executive Director & CEO" of the Company for a period of three (3) years
w.e.f. 4th May, 2024.
(ii) Appointed Mrs. Ambika Sharma (DIN: 08201798) as Additional
Director (Non-Executive, Independent) of the Company for a period of two (2) years w.e.f.
27th May, 2024 subject to the approval of the members at the ensuing General Meeting. Mrs.
Ambika Sharma fulfil the criteria and conditions specified in the Companies Act, 2013 for
such appointment.
All Independent Directors of the Company have registered themselves in
the Independent Directors databank maintained with the Indian Institute of Corporate
Affairs (IICA). Further, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company, all
Independent Directors possess requisite integrity, expertise and experience including the
proficiency required to discharge the duties and responsibilities as Directors of the
Company.
Retiring by rotation
Mr. Mohit Jain (DIN: 01473966) Executive Vice-Chairman of the Company,
retires by rotation and being eligible offers himself for re-appointment. The Board
recommends his re-appointment and the same forms part of the notice of Annual General
Meeting. The disclosures required regarding re-appointment of Mr. Mohit Jain pursuant to
Regulation 36(3) of the SEBI Listing Regulations and Secretarial Standard on General
Meeting issued by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India are given in the Notice of
AGM, forming part of the Annual Report.
Key Managerial Personnel
During the year under review, there has been no change in the Key
Managerial Personnel of the Company.
In terms of Section 203 of the Act, the following are the Key
Managerial Personnel of the Company:
Mr. Kailash R. Lalpuria, Executive Director & CEO, Mr. K.
Muralidharan, President - Finance and CFO and Mr. Satnam Saini, Company Secretary & GM
- Legal
NUMBER OF BOARD MEETINGS
During the financial year ended 31st March, 2024, four (4) Board
Meetings were held with a minimum of one (1) meeting in each quarter and the gap between
two (2) consecutive Board meetings was less than one hundred and twenty days (120). For
details of the meetings of the Board, please refer to the Corporate Governance Report,
which forms part of this report.
COMPANY'S POLICY ON APPOINTMENT AND REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS
Pursuant to Section 178(3) of the Companies Act, 2013, Nomination &
Remuneration Committee has formulated "Nomination and Remuneration Policy" which
deals inter-alia with appointment and remuneration of Directors, Key Managerial Personnel,
Senior Management and other employees. The said policy is uploaded on the website of the
Company and web-link thereto is https://www.indocount.com/
images/investor/Nomination-and-Remuneration-Policy2.pdf
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 134(3)(c) and 134(5) of the
Companies Act, 2013, your Directors, to the best of their knowledge and belief and
according to the information and explanations obtained by them, state and confirm that:
1. In the preparation of the annual accounts for the year ended 31st
March, 2024, the applicable accounting standards have been followed along with proper
explanation relating to material departures, if any;
2. Such accounting policies as mentioned in the notes to the Financial
Statements for the year ended 31st March, 2024 have been selected and applied consistently
and judgments and estimates have been made that are reasonable and prudent so as to give a
true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company as at 31st March, 2024 and of
the profit of the Company for the year ended on that date;
3. Proper and sufficient care has been taken for the maintenance of
adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013
for safeguarding the assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting fraud and
other irregularities;
4. The annual financial statements for the year ended 31st March, 2024
have been prepared on a going concern basis;
5. Internal financial controls to be followed by the Company have been
laid down and that the said financial controls were adequate and were operating
effectively;
6. Proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisions of all
applicable laws have been devised and such systems were adequate and operating
effectively.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR)
The key philosophy of all our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
initiatives is guided by our belief "Every Smile Counts..." Your Company
implements the CSR projects primarily through Indo Count Foundation' and has
also collaborated with other non-profits for carrying out various CSR Activities. Our CSR
projects focusses on participatory and collaborative approach with the community and
responds proactively to various emerging needs from time to time in the socio economic
& environment space. Over a period of five (5) years, your Company had carried out CSR
activities in the areas of Education, Healthcare, Women empowerment, cotton sustainability
and Water & Sanitation.
Pursuant to provisions of Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, the
Company had formulated a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy. The said CSR Policy
of the Company was amended in lines with the Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility
Policy) Amendment Rules, 2021 and the updated CSR policy is available on the website of
the Company and web-link thereto is https://www.indocount.com/CSR-Policy.pdf
The Report on CSR activities implemented by the Company during the year
under review is provided as "Annexure 2" to this Report.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
As on 31st March, 2024, the Audit Committee comprises of five (5)
Directors / Members out of which four (4) are Independent Directors. The said composition
is as per Section 177 of the Companies Act, 2013 and Regulation 18 of the Listing
Regulations. More details on Audit Committee are given in Corporate Governance Report. All
the recommendations made by the Audit Committee during the year under review were accepted
by the Board.
AUDITORS
Statutory Auditors
In accordance with the provisions of Section 139 of the Companies Act,
2013, at the Annual General Meeting held on 29th September, 2022, M/s. Price Waterhouse
Chartered Accountants LLP (Firm Registration No. 012754N / N500016) were appointed as the
Statutory Auditors of the Company for a period of five (5) years commencing from the
conclusion of 33rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) till the conclusion of the ensuing 38th
AGM of the Company to be held in the Financial year 2026-27.
The Auditors' Report on standalone and consolidated financial
statements for the year ended 31st March, 2024 forms integral part of this Annual Report.
The Auditors' Report does not contain any qualifications, reservations, adverse
remarks and disclaimer. Notes to the Financial Statements are self-explanatory and do not
call for any further comments.
Secretarial Auditor
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 204 of the Companies Act, 2013
read with rules thereunder, the Board had appointed Mrs. Kala Agarwal, Practicing Company
Secretaries as Secretarial Auditor to conduct Secretarial Audit of the Company for the
year ended 31st March, 2024. The Secretarial Audit Report issued by Secretarial Auditors
in Form No. MR-3 is provided as "Annexure 3" to this Report. The Secretarial
Audit Report does not contain any qualifications, reservations or adverse remark.
During the year under review, the Statutory Auditors and Secretarial
Auditor have not reported any instances of frauds committed in the Company by its Officers
or Employees under section 143(12) of the Companies Act, 2013 details of which needs to be
mentioned in this Report.
SEGMENT
The Company operates only in a single segment i.e. Textile Segment.
PUBLIC DEPOSITS
During the year under review, your Company has not accepted any
deposits from public, under Chapter V of the Companies Act, 2013.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT
As per Regulation 34(3) read with Schedule V of the Listing
Regulations, your Company has complied with the requirements of corporate governance. A
Corporate Governance Report along with Certificate from Practicing Company Secretary
confirming compliance of corporate governance for the year ended 31st March, 2024 is
provided separately and forms integral part of this Annual Report.
MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Pursuant to Regulation 34 of the Listing Regulations, Management
Discussion and Analysis containing Information inter-alia on industry trends, your
Company's performance, future outlook, opportunities and threats for the year ended
31st March, 2024, is provided in a separate section forming integral part of this Annual
Report.
BUSINESS RESPONSIBILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING
A separate section on Business Responsibility and Sustainability
Reporting forms part of the Annual Report as required under Regulation 34(2)(f ) of the
Listing Regulations.
ANNUAL RETURN
In terms of Section 92(3) of the Companies Act, 2013 and Rule 12 of the
Companies (Management and Administration) Rules, 2014, the Annual Return of the Company is
available on the website of the Company at https://www.indocount.
com/images/investor/Draft-Annual-Return-Form-MGT-7-FY-2023-24.pdf
SECRETARIAL STANDARDS
During the year under review, your Company has complied with all the
applicable Secretarial Standards i.e. SS-1 and SS-2 relating to Meeting of the Board
of Directors' and General Meetings' respectively. The same has also been
confirmed by Secretarial Auditors of the Company in the Secretarial Audit Report.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
All Related Party Transactions (RPT) entered during FY 2023-24 were on
arm's length basis and in the ordinary course of business and in compliance with the
applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and the Listing Regulations. During the
year under review, your Company did not enter into any material RPT under the provisions
of Section 188 of the Act and Listing Regulations, accordingly, the disclosure of related
party transactions, as required under Section 134(3)(h) of the Companies Act, 2013 in Form
AOC-2 is not applicable to the Company and hence does not form part of this report.
The prior approval of the Audit Committee is obtained for all Related
Party Transactions. A statement of all Related Party Transactions is reviewed by the Audit
Committee on a quarterly basis. Your Company has adopted a policy on Related Party
Transactions and it has been uploaded on the Company's website at
https://www.indocount.com/RPT Policy
PARTICULARS OF LOANS, INVESTMENTS, GUARANTEES, SECURITIES UNDER SECTION
186 OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013
During the year under review, your Company has neither given loan to
any bodies corporates or any other persons nor provided any corporate guarantee or
security under Section 186 of the Companies Act, 2013. Particulars of investments and
disclosure required under Section 186(4) of the Companies Act, 2013 are provided in the
notes to the standalone financial statements.
RISK MANAGEMENT
Your Company recognizes that risk is an integral part of the business
and is committed to manage the risks in a proactive and efficient manner. Your Company has
adopted Risk Management Policy for risk identification, assessment and mitigation. Major
risks identified by the Company are systematically addressed through mitigating actions on
a continuous basis. Some of the risks that the Company is exposed to are financial risks,
raw material price risk, regulatory risks, forex risks and economy risks. Risk factors and
its mitigation are covered extensively in the Management Discussion and Analysis. The
Internal Audit Reports and Risk Management Framework are reviewed by the Audit Committee.
Further, the Company also has in place Risk Management Committee to assess the risks and
to review risk management plans of the Company.
VIGIL MECHANISM / WHISTLE BLOWER POLICY
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 177 (10) of the Companies Act,
2013 and Regulation 22 of the Listing Regulations, your Company has established a vigil
mechanism for the Directors and employees of the Company to report concerns about
unethical behaviour, actual or suspected incidents of fraud or violation of Code of
Conduct. The details of Vigil Mechanism/ Whistle Blower Policy are provided in the
Corporate Governance Report. The Vigil Mechanism/Whistle Blower Policy may be accessed on
the Company's website at www.indocount.com/
images/investor/Whistle-Blower-Policy-Vigil-Mechanism.pdf
POLICY ON PREVENTION, PROHIBITION AND REDRESSAL OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF
WOMEN AT WORKPLACE
Your Company always endeavours and provide conductive work environment
that is free from discrimination and harassment including sexual harassment. Your Company
has zero tolerance towards sexual harassment at workplace and has adopted a policy for
prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at workplace. The Company has set up an Internal
Committee under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and
Redressal) Act, 2013 to look into complaints relating to sexual harassment at workplace of
any woman employee. During the year under review, no complaints pertaining to sexual
harassment were received and no complaint was pending as on 31st March, 2024.
CONSERVATION OF ENERGY, TECHNOLOGY ABSORPTION AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE
EARNINGS & OUTGO
Information on Conservation of Energy, Technology Absorption, Foreign
Exchange Earnings and Outgo required under Section 134(3)(m) of the Companies Act, 2013
read with rules thereunder is given as "Annexure 4" forming part of this Report.
PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYEES AND RELATED DISCLOSURES
The information required pursuant to Section 197 (12) of the Companies
Act, 2013 read with Rule 5(1) of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial
Personnel) Rules, 2014 regarding remuneration of Directors, Key Managerial Personnel and
other related disclosure is given as "Annexure 5" to this Report.
Information required under Rule 5(2) and 5(3) of the Companies
(Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 viz. Details of top ten
employees of the Company in terms of remuneration drawn during FY 2023-24 and particulars
of employees drawing remuneration in excess of the limits specified in Rule 5(2) of the
said rules is provided in "Annexure 5" forming part of this Report. As per the
provisions of Section 136 of the Companies Act, 2013, the Annual Report and Accounts are
being sent to the members of the Company excluding the said Annexure. Any member
interested in obtaining a copy of said Annexure may write to the Company Secretary at the
Registered Office of the Company. The said annexure will be available for inspection by
the members at the Registered Office of the Company twenty-one (21) days before and upto
the date of ensuing Annual General Meeting during the business hours on working day.
INTERNALCONTROLSYSTEMSANDTHEIRADEQUACY
Your Company maintains adequate internal control system and procedures
commensurate with its size and nature of operations. The internal control systems are
designed to provide a reasonable assurance over reliability in financial reporting, ensure
appropriate authorisation of transactions, safeguarding the assets of the Company and
prevent misuse/ losses and legal compliances.
The internal control system includes a well-defined delegation of
authority and a comprehensive Management Information System coupled with quarterly reviews
of operational and financial performance, a well-structured budgeting process with regular
monitoring of expenses and Internal audit. The Internal Audit reports are periodically
reviewed by the management and the Audit Committee and necessary improvements are
undertaken, if required.
SIGNIFICANT OR MATERIAL ORDERS PASSED BY THE REGULATORS/COURTS
During the year under review, no significant or material orders were
passed by the Regulators or Courts or Tribunals which impact the going concern status and
Company's operations in future.
MATERIAL CHANGES AND COMMITMENTS AFFECTING THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF
THE COMPANY
There are no material changes and commitments affecting the financial
position of the Company which have occurred between the end of the financial year 2023-24
and the date of this report.
AWARDS
During the year under review, the Company/Foundation has received the
following awards:
1. 'BW Sustainable World Awards 2023' for award category
India's Most Water Efficient Organisation' of the year, conferred by Business
World. This award recognizes organizations commitment towards improving water utilisation
efficiency and have dedicated approach towards wastewater management, includes recycling,
recovery and reuse of industrial effluents.
2. E-Retail Brand of the Year- 2023' was given for our
domestic brand Boutique Living by the Economic Times at the ET Retail E-commerce and
Digital Natives Awards (eDNA) 2023 for acknowledging and rewarding innovation,
sustainability and revolutionary ideas in India's E-commerce and direct-to-consumer
(D2C) brands.
3. The Indo Count Foundation was honoured by ASSOCHAM with the 2nd
Runner Up position in the Healthcare category, Best CSR in Healthcare (Implementing
Organization) for its actual work on the ground in providing quality healthcare to its
local communities.
4. Awarded for exceptional commitment to sustainability by winning
three National Level awards from the CITI Birla Economic & Textile Research Foundation
towards dedication and commitment towards sustainability:
Winner - Best Practices adopted by Textile Mills, especially in Social
Responsibility & Green Practices Winner - Innovative Material Management in Textile
Mills Runner-Up - Best Sustainable Retail Practices
5. Texprocil awarded Gold Trophy in Category III for Cotton Madeups and
Special achievement in Cotton Madeups.
6. Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO) awarded
Niryat Shree Gold Trophy' for the year 2020-21 for achieving
outstanding performance in the export of goods and services.
GENERAL
Your Director's state that:
1. During the year under review, there was no change in the nature of
business of the Company.
2. Cost audit was not applicable to the Company during the year under
review. However, pursuant to the Order made by the Central Government for the maintenance
of cost records under section 148(1) of the Act, the prescribed accounts and records have
been made and maintained.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND APPRECIATION
Your Directors wish to place on record their appreciation for dedicated
service and contribution made by the employees of the Company at all levels.
Your Directors would also like to place on record their appreciation
for the continued co-operation and support received by the Company during the year from
its customers, suppliers, bankers, financial institutions, business partners and other
stakeholders.
|
On behalf of the Board of Directors |
|
Anil Kumar Jain |
Date: 27th May, 2024 |
Executive Chairman |
Place: Mumbai |
DIN: 00086106 |
|