Simplex Infra - Bags Orders Worth Rs. 825 Crores

Simplex Infra - To Build AHMARA GRAND PLAZA

Simplex Infrastructures Ltd., one of India’s leading infrastructure company announced that it has bagged projects worth Rs.825 Crores from the overseas and Indian market towards construction of industrial structures and piling, malls, long distance water intake and delivery systems and multistoried buildings and towers.

Over 50% of the order consists of overseas projects that include construction of The AHMARA GRAND PLAZA- a 50 floor luxury residential tower at Qatar on a complete EPC contract basis. The project order stands at Rs. 470 cr.

According to Mr. Amitabh Das Mundhra, Director, Simplex Infrastructures Ltd, “These projects are very significant projects for Simplex consolidating the company’s diversification plans. We are looking at increasing our order book position, which currently stands at Rs 5600cr (approx), not just quantitatively but qualitatively. These projects, speaks about our project management and executional capabilities and will further help us to secure other orders across all the verticals. ”

GHCL - More Acquisition

GHCL Arm Acquires H W Baker

Dan River, a step down subsidiary of textiles and soda ash maker GHCL Ltd, has acquired the assets of H W Baker Lenin Co in US for $ 6.75 million (Rs 30.09 crore) through competitive bidding process.

H W Baker Lenin Co is engaged in the business of supplying textile products and amenities to hotels and motels in the United States. It is a division of the Best Manufacturing Group, a supplier of textile and non-textile products.

“The acquisition would strengthen Dan River’s position in the fast growing hospitality industry in the USA,” said Sanjay Dalmia, chairman, GHCL, a part of Dalmia Group. The move would help GHCL become a dominant player in the home textile industry in the US as well as the global market, he said. "It would be an ideal combination of a strong and low-cost manufacturing base and a large established marketing platform," Dalmia added.

A year ago, GHCL, through its internationsl subsidiary, had acquired Dan River Inc, a leading textiles player in the US, for $17.50 million. It also acquired 100 per cent shares of UK-based home textiles retailer, Rosebys, in June this year.

Elder Pharma - Launches Osteoporosis Drug

Elder Pharmaceuticals To Market Roche's Osteoporosis Drug 'Bonviva' In India

Elder Pharmaceuticals Ltd has informed BSE the Company has entered into an agreement for marking of an Osteoporis drug "BONVIVA" manufactured by F Hoffmann La Roche Ltd., Basle, Switzerland with their distributors for India, viz. Taksal. Roche announced that it has finalized an agreement for its new and novel postmenopausal osteoporosis drug Bonviva to be marketed by the Company in India.

Roche, based in Basel, Switzerland, is a research driven Company with high expertise in Oncology, Transplantation, Virology, Inflammatory and Autoimmune diseases and Osteoporosis. The Company is a fast-growing pharmaceuticals Company with leadership in the osteoporosis segment in India through its brand Shelcal, which is ranked 40th amongst top 100 brands in India.

Roche’s move to launch an osteoporosis drug in India comes in the wake of the rising incidence of the disease among Indians. It is commonly seen in women over 50 years of age who are in the postmenopausal life stage; however, a significant number of men are also reported to be suffering from this condition. It is estimated that nearly 30 million Indians are affected by osteoporosis, with women bearing the major brunt of this disease.

Bisphosphonates are the most widely prescribed treatments of osteoporosis. Bonviva, a potent and highly effective bisphosphonate1 is the first monthly oral prescription medicine. Patients need only take 12 tablets a year versus 52 or 365 required with current weekly or daily bisphosphonate treatments. This is particularly important as many patients find currently available osteoporosis therapy inconvenient, which may help to explain why up to two thirds of patients stop taking their osteoporosis treatment within a year2, foregoing the bone strengthening benefits these drugs can only provide over time3.

Launched in 2005 in USA and Europe, Bonviva - whose main active ingredient is Ibandronic Acid - belongs to a class of drugs called bisphosphonates and has a novel dosage regimen of just one-tablet-a-month. Roche, who in many markets is in co-promotion with GSK, is already marketing this product in more than 50 countries.

Says Dr. G L Telang, Managing Director Roche India, "We are very pleased to make available in India the once monthly Bonviva 150 mg tablet for postmenopausal osteoporosis. We can now offer women with postmenopausal osteoporosis an effective and more convenient regimen which may improve compliance leading to sustained bone strengthening benefits over time." Adds Mr. Alok Saxena, Director of the Company, "We have an expertise in marketing women's health care products in India and also an extensive distribution network reaching the micro interior towns and villages. Bonviva and Shelcal (calcium supplement) may be prescribed together in the treatment of osteoporosis thereby giving ready market to Roche’s product."

About Bonviva

• Bonviva, a potent bisphosphonate, has been studied to date in clinical trials involving over 12,000 patients.
• Bonviva is indicated for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women through reduction of elevated bone turnover. increasing bone mineral density and reduction of the incidence of fractures.
• Once monthly Bonviva (known in the US as Boniva) was approved by US FDA in March 2005 and by the EMEA in September 2005.

Punj Lloyd - Sets Up Engineering Services Outsourcing Co

Punj Lloyd Plans New Arm

Punj Lloyd Ltd has announced that the Company has set up a new Company for carrying out back office engineering activities for the Punj Lloyd Group in India. Simon Carves India Ltd - the new Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company., catering to the Group's engineering requirements in the initial phase. However, to ensure that the Company adopts best practices and remains competitive, specialized verticals will be gradually build up in the Company with domain specialists to provide offshored engineering services across other sectors as well outside the group.

Simon Carves India will integrate the engineering expertise of the Company with its two recent acquisitions - Sembawang Engineers & Constructors and Simon Carves, UK.

Engineering Services Outsourcing (ESO) holds tremendous potential because of the robust growth across Europe, Asia and US leading to significant development in the engineering services sector, Reports indicate that India has the potential to garner around 25 per cent of the global ESO pie, worth around $50 billion by 2020. Currently, the ESO market is worth around $15 billion with India garnering a healthy 12 per cent share. With a vision to capitalize the benefits that ESO presents, the Company has directed its steps in this direction by establishing this new Company. The swell in the global spending on engineering services will make Companies seek access to high quality talent pool in emerging markets, which the Company already boasts of.

The Company has also appointed Mr. Sanjay Goel as the CEO of the Simon Carves India Ltd to play a vital role in shaping the Company and deriving the maximum benefits from it.

The Company foresees great prospects emerging for the Group with the engineering services market expected to touch $1,100 billion by 2020, of which outsourced component could be worth around $200 billion. The group believes that the new Company, under the vision and leadership of Mr. Sanjay Goel, will be in good position to capitalize this opportunity in the best possible way.

TV 18 & CBoP - Two Recommended Stocks Shake Hands

Ambit Web 18 - Latest Retail Brokerage In Town

Television Eighteen India Ltd has informed BSE that Ambit, Web18 and Centurion Bank of Punjab have on December 07, 2006 have announced a partnership to pursue stock braking business with a strong internet presence in India. The venture will be the first of its kind with 3 domestic players coming together to capture the fast brokerage market. Apart from stock broking, a range of financial services including distribution of third party products, portfolio management services etc. will be offered by the venture. With increasing internet penetration in the country, retail customers will be serviced online by the venture. It will leverage upon the online presence of Web 18’s several Internet properties including moneycontrol.com, easymf.com, poweryourtrade.com and commoditiescontrol.com as well as the extensive branch reach of Centurion Bank of Punjab.

The businesses will be managed by a professional board chaired by Mr. Rana Talwar. In a two-way structure, Ambit's securities business arm, Ambit Capital, will have 51% stake in the new company while Web 18, a part of the TV 18 group, will control 39% stake. Centurion Bank of Punjab will have the remaining 10% stake. Both Centurion Bank of Punjab and Web 18 will have 20% and 29%, shareholding, respectively, in Ambit Capital in which Ambit Corporate Finance has a 51% stake.

The 3 players bring together complementary strengths for the business. Ambit has extensive experience in providing financial services such as investment banking, stock broking and investment advisory services Web18, a TV18 Group Company, is a leading player in the Indian Internet space with presence and partnerships including the online financial space (moneycontrol.com), e-recruitment (jobstreet.com), online travel (yatra.com) and allied ventures with over 5 million unique visitors per month. With over 3 Million customers at its 249 branches, Centurion Bank of Punjab has strong presence across the country and has significant understanding of the retail segment in India.

Mr. Ashok Wadhwa, Partner & CEO, Ambit Corporate Finance said, "We are excited about partnering with a leading business media group and a leading bank in what we believe will create a truly world class Indian Brokerage House".

"Considering We18's strong positioning in the online information and transaction segment, a partnership in the e-broking space is a natural extension for us. With their expertise and strong reputation in the market place, our partner's will enable the venture in capturing a substantial market share in this business", says Mr. Raghav Bahl, Managing Director of Web18.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shailendra Bhandari, Managing Director & CEO, Centurion Bank of Punjab said, "We are very pleased with this initiative, which will enable the bank to offer an increasing array of sophisticated financial products to our Mass Affluent and our high net-worth customers. By adding broking services, the bank will be able to complete its suite of Wealth Management Services, which currently includes complete financial advisory services and distribution of products such as mutual funds and life insurance. The bank is also pleased to be partnering with Web 18 and Ambit, who are leaders in their respective fields".

The joint venture is subject to obtaining all regulatory approvals. Amarchand Mangaldas are the legal advisors to the joint venture.

Kajaria - If Real Estate Is Booming, Why Not Ceramic Tiles

Kajaria Ceramics Plans Unit In Gujarat

Kajaria Ceramics Ltd, a Rs 350-crore Delhi-based ceramic tiles manufacturing company, is planning to have its own unit in Gujarat. The company may either set up a new facility or opt for an existing one, for which it is in talks with some local firms.

Speaking to the media, Ashok Kajaria, managing director, said, “If the acquisition does not work out, then we will set up a unit for which we have earmarked Rs 100 crore. We have identified some areas including Morbi, Himmatnagar and Mehsana.”However, he said, if the company plans set up its own unit, it would take around 15 months.

Kajaria was in Ahmedabad to launch the company’s first office-cum-tile display centre in Gujarat. The company currently has 17 dealers in the state and is aiming to have 30 dealers by the end of 2007. Talking about the Morbi ceramics industry, he said, “Earlier, the Morbi ceramics industry was considered as a small industry. Now, it has become a regional player. But the Morbi industry lacks in technology in comparison with the country’s large players.”

According to Kajaria, there are around 13 large players in the Indian ceramics industry and all of them have state-of-the-art technology. On the ceramics market of the country, Kajaria said, “The market is growing at a rate of 16-18 per cent and the trend is likely to continue till 2011. Various SEZs, upcoming townships and the infrastructure development across the country will fuel this growth.”

Kajaria indicated that the rising oil prices is still the biggest hindrance in the growth of ceramics industry. “We have two units, one in Sikandarabad (Uttar Pradesh) and another in Gailpur in Rajasthan, with a total manufacturing capacity of 26.4 million sq mt per annum. The Sikandarabad unit uses liquefied natural gas(LNG) while in the Rajasthan unit, the company is forced to use propane because we do not have pipeline infrastructure in place for LNG there. This affects the production cost directly. Twenty three per cent of our total expenditure in Gailpur unit goes in fuel while only 15 per cent is spent on the Sikandarabad unit,” he said.

Yes Bank - Growth Through Microfinance

Yes Bank Launches YES MICROFINANCE

Yes Bank Ltd on December 06, 2006 has announced the launch of YES MICROFINANCE, a specialised and dedicated division of the Bank focused on developing a pioneering strategy of Direct Intervention for the Microfinance domain.

YES MICROFINANCE aims to offer the entire gamut of financial services and products to the unbanked and under-banked sections of Indian population aimed at satisfying consumption demand as well as augmenting capital formation, thereby enabling Greater Financial Inclusion. YES MICROFINANCE, in a phased roll out, will offer credit, savings, insurance and remittance products to the underprivileged both in Urban and Rural areas with the Pilot programme being launched in Mumbai.

To this end, the Bank has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for technical collaboration with ACCION International, a leading global microfinance institution that provides capacity-building support, investment, new product development and governance to a network of 30 microfinance institutions in 23 countries. The partnership will provide YES MICROFINANCE with best-in-class products and processes, innovative delivery channels, superior rating methodologies and state-of-the art technology architecture to cater to the Indian microfinance landscape.

YES MICROFINANCE represents the Bank's commitment to mainstream sustainability principles within the Indian Financial community and is a reiteration of 'Responsible Banking' philosophy. The Bank intends to bring its recognised skills in project management to set up a world-class institutionally sponsored Microfinance operation, drawing on the same expertise that has seen the Bank being rated amongst the top three listed, banks in India (Business world, December 04, 2006).

Mr Rana Kapoor, Founder / Managing Director and CEO, of the Bank, said "As a Public Trust Institution, YES BANK is cognizant of its responsibility of enabling the creation of an Inclusive Financial sector and sees Microfinance as an efficient and commercially viable tool to achieve this goal. Working in partnership with ACCION, the Bank aims to augment sustainable livelihoods and enable socio-economic development at the grassroots through its microfinance initiative."

Greenply - Carbon Credits To Boost Topline

Greenply Industries Signs Carbon Emission Purchase Agreement.

Greenply Industries Ltd has informed BSE that the Company has signed the Carbon Emission Purchase Agreement with a private investment fund. The deal, worth around $5 million, which has been signed under the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol, facilitated by Aeneas Capital Management. The agreement for delivery of Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) is valid till 2012, where CERs shall be delivered every year, starting FY 2006—07.

The estimated revenue that will be added to the Company's topline every year shall be around EURO 500000. Under the agreement, the Company, India's largest interior infrastructure Company, will sell its emission reduction credits, created by burning bio mass at two of its plants. These plants will be using biomass for generation of steam. The normal practice, followed by players in the interior infrastructure space, is to use coal/firewood/waste timber/fossil fuel, which is environmentally hazardous.

Carbon credits, unlike paper money that trades for physical goods and services, are a new money exchange intended to reduce pollution, particularly emissions of carbon dioxide that is caused by burning fossil fuel/coal. Carbon emissions are said to be the leading cause of global climate change.

Infomedia India - Disney Adventures

Disney Adventures Launches In India

Infomedia India Ltd., the country’s leading special interest publications company, today announced a strategic alliance with Disney Publishing Worldwide India (DPW), a division of The Walt Disney Company India Private Limited, to launch ‘Disney Adventures,’ one of the world’s most widely circulated tweens and kids’ magazine, in India. This launch also marks the first launch of an international magazine for Indian tweens and kids here.

The first monthly issue of Disney Adventures magazine priced at a nominal cover price of Rs. 40, is targeted at Indian tweens in the 8-13 age group and features compelling local content including a special feature on Bollywood Hit – Dhoom 2.

One of the world’s most widely circulated tweens and kids’ magazine, Disney Adventures,’ is globally recognized as the tweens favourite magazine. The international format has been adapted to capture the imagination of Indian tweens and kids, and has over 35% local content. The 100-page monthly publication will feature the Indian tweens’ favourite Disney and Bollywood characters, comic pages, jokes, games, tech news and reviews, fashion, and contests. Other Indian language editions for this magazine are also being considered.

The magazine was first published in the United States in early 1990s and has seen many evolutions in its content mix, in keeping up with the evolving tweens and kids.

“Our tie-up with Disney is a perfect fit for the two brands as we are leaders in our respective space and will complement the strengths of both the groups. The tweens’ magazine sector in India has still not been explored and we are confident that the launch of Disney Adventures will meet the expectations of the growing Indian teens’ demands for consuming the best in International content”, said Prakash Iyer, MD, Infomedia India.

“Kids and their families have an affinity for Disney content. The launch of Disney Adventures significantly advances our strategic priorities, which include - first and foremost - delivering high-quality, compelling creative product to consumers across all platforms” said Rajat Jain, MD, The Walt Disney Company (India).

Honeywell Automation - Building Solutions

Honeywell Eyes Real Estate Market For Growth

Honeywell Building Solutions (HBS), a division of Honeywell Automation India Limited, is targeting 50 per cent market share by 2010 in the building solutions category from the present 23 per cent, informed Sanjoy Bhattacharya, project manager of HBS.

"The growth can be attributed to the fact that we are constantly looking at innovations of our existing products and adding resourceful products to our portfolio," informed Tarun Ramrakhiani, head - marketing of Honeywell Building Solutions.

Moreover, the building solutions market is growing at 25 per cent, ensuring higher growth for the company. "The rapid construction boom for SEZs, IT parks, commercial complexes, retail, greenfield industrial expansion, renovation and modernisation of older facilities as well as security and safety concerns, would contribute to our growth," Ramrakhiani added.

HBS is also planning road shows to showcase the benefits of building solutions and give users a hand-on experience. The road shows are also being arranged to talk about some of the newer cutting edge products the company is currently doing to meet customer objectives.

"We are going to hold these roadshows first in Kolkata, and then move on to Delhi and other cities," said Ramrakhiani. "We chose Kolkata for hosting the first round of roadshows because Kolkata registers the second highest growth in terms of consumers opting for building solutions and security measures," reasoned Ramrakhiani.

South India registers highest growth at 34 per cent, followed by eastern India at 33 per cent. The building solutions market in North and West India are growing at 23 and 19 per cent respectively.

SREI Infra - Way To Go

SREI Infrastructure Conducts Business Over Rs 2500 Million In 4 Days At IMME '06

SREI Infrastructure Finance Ltd has informed BSE that the Company has pulled off a coup of sorts, conducting business of nearly Rs 2790 million at the 4-day IMME 2006 in Kolkata late last week.

According to key company officials, this is likely to increase once all the figures now pouring in from different parts of the country are collated. Apart from the on-the-spot businesses, the Company had initiated a move to round up opportunities from other parts as well through a system of video conferencing with prospective customers.

The Company success is further accentuated by the company’s strategic tie-up with 11 top equipment manufacturers. Market leaders such and L&T Komatsu, Volvo, Caterpillar, JCB and several others have all entered into an understanding, whereby SREI finances the purchase of all equipments sold by these companies. "We are constantly innovating to meet the specific requirements of customers", officials explained.

The biggest draw at IMME '06 was the Money Bag scheme 2006 which proved to be a winner all the way. The scheme attracted a large number of existing as well as new customers. More than 50% of the total booty was on account of this scheme alone. Money Bag offers a lease period of seven years, thereby proposing a unique option in the equipment leasing industry.

The SREI Lotto scheme also proved to be immensely popular. With interest rates as low as 5.88% there was hectic activity at this counter, which was operated in real time to outstation customers spread across the country.

Another scheme SREI Jump Start also proved attractive to sections of customers and borrowers looking for 100% finance on margins as low as 10%. This financing scheme however, is available to equipment from select manufacturers only.

Speaking on the current strategy of the company, Mr. K K Mohanty, Executive Director of the Company, explained, "We have been able to connect successfully with the equipment manufacturers on the one hand and the buyers / infrastructure developers on the other. The key to our success is the close integration of the processes that begins with the planning of a project to the purchase of equipment, to the financial completion."