Driving Growth Through Innovation, Quality and Market Expansion
What has been the biggest driver of Kamdhenu’s growth in recent years?
Kamdhenu is deeply committed to innovation, quality and customer engagement. Our consistent efforts to offer the best quality products at an affordable price point is the biggest driver of growth at Kamdhenu over the years. In markets we are already present, our products enjoy top recall value and are the preferred products in their segments. Our premium products are preferred for the incredible value they offer in terms of superior bonding and load bearing properties.
How is Kamdhenu adapting to changing demands in the construction industry?
Demand in the construction industry has evolved
with the times and is currently being driven by structural and qualitative shifts towards higher quality and sustainable building materials. We are leveraging our asset light business model to scale capacity and enter more territories for our premium products like Kamdhenu NXT, double-rib angular interlock TMT bars and pre-engineered buildings.
Which markets are currently on your radar, and what opportunities do you see overseas for Indian steel brands?
Our focus currently is on domestic expansion to deepen our retail penetration in regional markets across the country. Indian steel brands have a vast opportunity for growth in the overseas market starting with neighboring SAARC region and the larger international market. There is a strong and growing demand for value added steel that are produced sustainably. As demand for such products increases, global buyers willingness to source them from anywhere on the earth will also increase even in the face of the added premium such a product will likely carry.
What role does innovation play in strengthening your product portfolio?
Innovation is at the core of Kamdhenu’s existence. From an asset light business model that leverages the franchisee route to the best-in-class products offered at affordable prices, we are all about innovation. Our flagship Kamdhenu Nxt is a next-generation interlock steel TMT bar featuring a double-rib design for superior concrete grip. From innovations in shop level safety and quality controls at all manufacturing locations to the various forums that we used to engage with our stakeholders, all our endeavors are thoughtfully designed to stimulate collaboration and growth for all.
How do you ensure consistent quality standards across such a large network of production units?
As an asset light franchisee-based business, we follow a strict licensing policy to ensure that partner units meet strict capacity, financial and governance benchmarks even before they are on-boarded. We have also deputed various quality control personnel in the franchises manufacturing units to monitor the quality on regular basis. We also have an in-house R&D unit that ensures that our products meet standards. From regular workers training to on-site supervision and audits to shared technological know-how and quality control measures across our network of production units ensures that all our branded products offers consistent high quality that we are known for.
What opportunities do you see in India’s infrastructure growth story?
India’s infrastructure growth story offers an incredible opportunity for growth on the back of government backed accelerated infrastructure development. From highways and expressways to railways and metro systems, the infrastructure push will require million of tonnes of structural steel, reinforcing bars and specialized products that offers higher load resistance and seismic protection capabilities. Coupled with the rapid rise in urbanization, private construction activities and the lower than global average per-capita consumption of steel in the country, the opportunity for growth is indeed incredible.
What trends do you believe will shape demand for steel and construction materials over the next decade?
As construction trend evolves in terms of design, layout and size, value added products such as Kamdhenu Nxt with high load resistance and seismic protection will continue to see rising demand. The focus on sustainability will also cause a shift in demand towards construction materials that are produced with re-cycled materials or in a sustainable manner without forgoing the required quality in load bearing capacity or safety parameters. In short, the demand will increase for value added products that are sustainable and support modern construction requirements of high quality and design.
What are the company’s key priorities for the upcoming years? At Kamdhenu, the focus on innovation and quality remains constant. Having said that, the coming years will see us expand our production capacity and carry our products to more markets including tier-2, tier-3 and even tier-4 cities and towns across the country. We will continue to invest in systems, processes and workforce that aligns with and propagates our vision of delivering the best possible products at the most affordable rates. Value addition to steel product is a niche that Kamdhenu is comfortable in and we will continue our efforts in this area.
