IRACST- International Journal of Research in Management & Technology (IJRMT), ISSN: 2249-9563

Vol. 5, No.1, February 2015

A STUDY ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF CEMENT INDUSTRIES IN TAMILNADU

WITH REFERENCE TO SELECT CEMENT COMPANIES

1. B. Manjula Devi (Author)

Research Scholar, Management Science (PG)
SNR Sons College (Autonomous)
Coimbatore

AbstractIn India, the cement industry is the second most

consumed material on the planet. The cement companies
have seen a net profit growth rate of 85 per cent. With this
huge success, the cement industry in India has contributed
almost 8 per cent to Indias economic development.
Nowadays, the cement industry is growing fast and to know,
how the financial performance of the cement industries
playing a vital role in India. For this, to analyse the
production and sales, to measure the short term and the long
term financial feasibility, to identify the factors that
influences the profitability status of the selected cement
companies in Tamil Nadu. (Abstract).
I.

INTRODUCTION

The Indian cement industry has evolved significantly

in the last two decades, going through all the phases of typical
cyclical growth process. With sound economic growth and
infrastructure development, the demand for cement is on an
upward trend, further addition to capacity is coming up to
cater to the increasing demand for cements. India, being the
second largest cement producer in the world after China with a
total capacity of 151.2 Million Tonnes (MT), has got huge
Cement Company. With the government of India giving boost
to various infrastructure projects, housing facilities and road
networks, the cement industry in India is currently growing at
an enviable pace.
Cement is a global commodity, manufactured at
thousands of local plants. The cement industry in India is
dominated by around 20 companies, which account for almost
70 per cent of the total cement production in India. Because of
its weight, cement supply via land transportation is expensive,
and generally limited to an area within 300 km of any one
plant site. The industry is consolidating globally, but large,
international firms account for only 30 per cent of the
worldwide market. China is the fastest growing market today.
Because it is both global and local, the cement industry faces a
unique set of issues, which attract attention from communities
near the plant, at a national and an international level.

2. K. Sabarinathan (Co-author)
Associate Professor, Management Sciences
(PG), SNR Sons College (Autonomous),
Coimbatore

Objectives
To analyse the production and sales trend of select
cement companies in Tamil Nadu.
To measure, the short term financial feasibility of the
sample companies.
To evaluate, the long term financial feasibility of the
sample companies.
To identify the factors that influences the profitability
status of the selected cement companies.
The term financial performance analysis also known
as analysis and interpretation of financial statements, refers to
the process of determining financial strength and weaknesses
of the firm by establishing strategic relationship between the
items of the balance sheet , profit and loss account and other
operative data. Financial performance analysis is a process of
evaluating the relationship between component parts of a
financial statement to obtain a better understanding of a firms
position and performance. The purpose of financial analysis is
to diagnose the information contained in financial statements
so as to judge the profitability and financial soundness of the
firm. Just like a doctor examines his patient by recording his
body temperature, blood pressure etc. Before making this
conclusion, regarding the illness and before giving his
treatment.
A financial analyst analyses the financial statements
with various tools of analysis before commenting upon the
financial health or weaknesses of an enterprise. The analysis
and interpretation of financial statements is essential to bring
out the mystery behind the figures in financial statements.
Financial statements analysis is an attempt to determine the
significance and meaning of the financial statement data so
that forecast may be made of the future earnings, ability to pay
interest and debt maturities (both current and long term) and
profitability of a sound divided policy.
Financial performance refers to the act of performing
financial activity. In broader sense, financial performance
refers to the degree to which financial objectives being or has
been accomplished. It is the process of measuring the results
of a firm's policies and operations in monetary terms. It is used

224

IRACST- International Journal of Research in Management & Technology (IJRMT), ISSN: 2249-9563
Vol. 5, No.1, February 2015

to measure firm's overall financial health over a given period

of time and can also be used to compare similar firms across
the same industry or to compare industries or sectors in
aggregation. In short, the firm itself as well as various
interested groups such as managers, shareholders, creditors,
tax authorities, and others.
Ratio analysis is a technique of analysis and
interpretation of financial statement. It is the process of
establishing and interpreting various ratios for helping in
making certain decisions. It is the only means of better
understanding of financial strengths and weakness of a firm.
There are various ratios which can be calculated from the
information given in the financial statements, but in the study
we select the appropriate data and calculate only a few
appropriate ratios. The important ratios taken are liquidity
ratio, long term solvency activity and profitability ratios.
Operational Definitions
The most cost commonly ratios used in the financial field
include:
Current Ratio: The current ratio is a liquidity ratio
which estimates the ability of a company to pay back
short-term obligations. This ratio is also known as
cash asset ratio, cash ratio, and liquidity ratio. A
higher current ratio indicates the higher capability of
a company to pay back its debts. The formula used
for computing current ratio is: current Assets / current
liabilities.

Quick Ratio: The quick ratio, also referred as the

acid test ratio or the quick assets ratio, this ratio
is a gauge of the short term liquidity of a firm. The
quick ratio is helpful in measuring a companys short
term debts with its most liquid assets.

Inventory Turnover Ratio: The number of times

you turn inventory over into sales during the year or
how many days it takes to sell inventory. This is a
good indication of production and purchasing
efficiency. A high ratio indicates inventory is selling
quickly and that little unused inventory is being
stored (or could also mean inventory shortage). If the
ratio is low, it suggests overstocking, obsolete
inventory or selling issues.

Debtor ratio: The debtors days ratio measures how

quickly cash is being collected from debtors. The
longer it takes for a company to collect, the greater
the number of days debtors. Debtor days can also be
referred to as debtors collection period.
Debt-to-equity ratio: The debt-to-equity ratio, is a
quantification of a firms financial leverage estimated
by dividing the total liabilities by stockholders
equity. This ratio indicates the proportion of equity
and debt used by the company to finance its assets.

Interest Coverage ratio: Measures your ability to

meet interest payment obligations with business
income. Ratios close to 1 indicates company having
difficulty generating enough cash flow to pay interest
on its debt. Ideally, a ratio should be over 1.5.

Return on Assets ratio: Measures your ability to

turn assets into profit. This is a very useful measure
of comparison within an industry. A low ratio
compared to industry may mean that your
competitors have found a way to operate more
efficiently. After tax interest expense can be added
back to numerator since ROA measures profitability
on all assets whether or not they are financed by
equity or debt.
II.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

A review of past studies and theory relating to the problem of

research helps not only definition of concepts, problem focus,
objectives and hypotheses, but also the choice of tools of
analysis with attention to their assumption and limitation. The
several past studies related to cement industry and methods of
evaluating its performance and some of the reviews are
Jayant Sathaye (2005)1 the study revealed that, the Indian
cement industry has grown rapidly over the past few decades
and there have been significant investments in new cement
kilns and associated production equipment. This has led to a
situation where Indias cement industry in made up of both
some of the worlds most energy-inefficient plants as well as
some of the worlds best practice facilities. The challenge for
the Indian cement industry is to modernize or phase out the
older, inefficient plants while acquiring the best possible
cement production technology as production inevitably
expands in the coming decades.
Alovsat Muslumov (2005)2 concluded that the privatization
was associated with a declining value added and shareholders
profitability in Turkish cement industry. A decline in the value
added and shareholders profitability were mainly caused by
the decrease in return on assets. The decline in the return on
asset was traced to declining asset productivity. These results
are not consistent with previous cross-sectional privatization
studies and a number of country studies.
References
1. Jayant Sathaye (2005) Assessment of Energy Use and
Energy Savings Potential in Selected Industrial Sectors in
India U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the
U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Alovsat Muslumov (2005), The financial and operating
performance of privatized companies in the Turkish cement
industry, METU Studies in Development, 32 (June), 2005,
59-1012.

225

IRACST- International Journal of Research in Management & Technology (IJRMT), ISSN: 2249-9563
Vol. 5, No.1, February 2015

Limitations

This study is based on the secondary data from

published reports and in journals articles for the
cement industry during 2004-05 to 2013-14.

The secondary data such as problems of aggregation,

missing data and differences in the same data
collected from different sources are met with. Care
was taken to minimize the errors arising from those
problems.

The period of study marks a period of adjustments by

the industry to the new business environment. How
far the industry has succeed in achieving growth and
sustaining it, is studied with the secondary data it has
to be recognized in generalizing the findings.

There are also limitations of the tools of analysis used

the choice of trend equations and methods of
estimation and figures stated.

These limitations are minimized and explicitly stated

wherever need attention.

III.

The India Cements Limited

The India Cements Limited began its humble
moorings in the form of a cement factory at Talaiyuthu, an
almost unmapped tiny hamlet in Tirunelveli district, Tamil
Nadu. As one of the oldest Indian corporate, established in
1946, the company set up its first plant in 1949 at Sankarnagar
(Talaiyuthu).
Indian Cement is a leading cement
manufacturing company of India and capture huge market
share of cement industry. Over the years India Cements has
become the largest cement manufacture of South India and
almost acquire 30% of cement market.
The Ramco Cements Limited
The Ramco Cements Limited is one of the best
performing, highly efficient producers of Fibre Cement Sheets
in India and is the Market leader. Ramco's first asbestos
cement sheet plant was set up at Arakkonam (Tamil Nadu) in
1967 and since then the production technology has been
updated continuously. The second sheet plant was
commissioned at Karur (Tamil Nadu) in 1974 followed by one
more sheet plant at Maksi (Madhya Pradesh) in 1987. This
was the first plant in India to introduce pipes of 5 M length
and diameters of above 600 mm.

PROFILE OF THE SELECT COMPANIES

Cement is an essential component of infrastructure

development and most important input of construction
industry, particularly in the governments infrastructure and
housing programs, which are necessary for the countrys
socio-economic growth and development.
ACC Limited
ACC (ACC Limited) is India's foremost manufacturer
of cement and concrete. ACC's operations are spread
throughout the country with 17 modern cement factories, more
than 40 Ready mix concrete plants, 21 sales offices, and
several zonal offices. ACC has a unique track record of
innovative research, product development and specialized
consultancy services.
Ultratech Cement Limited
UltraTech Cement was established in 1987 and
emerges as a prominent player of cement industry. Over the
years company has achieve incredible success and today it is
counted among the top 10 cement manufacturing companies of
India. Ultratech Cement was incorporated in 2000 as Larsen &
Toubro. Later it was demerged and acquired by Grasim and
was renamed as Ultra Tech Cement in 2004. Today UltaTech
cement a part of Aditya Birla Group, is the countrys largest
exporter of cement clinker. UltraTech Cement Limited has an
annual capacity of 52 million tonnes.

Chettinad Cement Corporation Limited

Chettinad Cement established in 1962 with a wet
process cement plant at Puliyur near Karur, Chettinad cement
has been expanding and making itself versatile in the field of
cement products. Chettinad Cement has established its
position in the southern market by innovatively aligning its
products and services to the needs of cement users. For over
four decades, the Chettinad cement companies have built a
reputation for serving the construction industry with highperformance products that encourage creativity and ensure
longevity.
Results and Discussions
India has huge potential in infrastructure and
construction and the cement sector in India is set to receive a
major boost. The overall study also provides the regional
analysis of cement consumption, production, capacity
utilization, and installed capacity in the country. On analyzing
the regional trend of cement consumption, we observed that the
southern region is creating maximum demand, which is
expected to increase more in future. India's cement production
has increased at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of
9.7 per cent to reach 272 Million Tonnes (MT) during 2006-13.
Presently, India is the second largest producer of cement in the
world with a current capacity of around 370 MT which is
expected to grow to 550 MT by 2020.

Identify applicable sponsor/s here. (sponsors)

226

IRACST- International Journal of Research in Management & Technology (IJRMT), ISSN: 2249-9563
Vol. 5, No.1, February 2015

IV.

India Cement
From the above data analysis it has been found that,
at the beginning of the financial year 2004-05 the total cement
production of India limited was Rs.688 crores and its had
increased to Rs.2579 crores at the end of the financial year
2013-14. The total cement production of India limited had
registered growth rate of 15.81 per cent during the study
period from 2004-05 to 2013-14.

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

The cement industry in India is globally competitive

as the industry continues to witness positive trends such as
cost control, continuous technology upgradation and increased
construction activities. The results and discussions of this
objective is present with the support of multiple regression
test.
Production Trend
The cement production has remained subdued during
financial year 2014 growing by a modest 3.70 per cent during
April-December 2013 primarily due to weak demand from
end-user industries. The cement production of selected cement
companies functioning in Tamil Nadu for a period of 10 years
from 2004-05 to 2013-14 is depicted in figure.1.

Ramco Cement
It has been clearly observed that, the total cement
production of Ramco cements was Rs.463 crores at the
beginning of the financial year 2004-05 and it had gradually
increased to Rs.2368 crores by the end of the financial year
2013-14. The total cement production of Ramco limited had
the growth rate of 19.88 per cent during the study period from
2004-05 to 2013-14.

ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF CEMENT

Chettinad Cement
From the empirical data analysis it has been
identified that the total cement production of Chettinad
cements was Rs.230 crores at the beginning of the financial
year 2004-05 and it inclined to Rs.1787 crores at the end of
the financial year 2013-14. The total cement production of
Chettinad limited had the growth rate of 25.58 per cent during
the study period from 2004-05 to 2013-14.

In Crores

In Crores

Fig.1.

Sales Trend
The cement sales in India have been expanding on the
back of increasing infrastructure activities and demand from
the housing sector. The housing segment accounts for a major
portion of the total domestic demand for cement in India. In
the 12th Five Year Plan government of India, there is a strong
focus on infrastructure development and it plans to increase
investment in infrastructure. The cement sales of selected
cement companies functioning in Tamil Nadu for a period of
10 years during study period is shown in figure.2.

Years

This chart indicates the annual cement production of select

cement companies during the study period from 2004-05 to
2013-14.
ACC Cement
From the above data analysis it has been observed
that, at the beginning of the financial year 2004-05 the total
cement production of ACC limited registered at Rs.2430
crores and its cement production had massively increased to
Rs.6456 crores by the end of the financial year 2013-14. The
total cement production of ACC limited had the growth rate of
11.46 per cent during the study period from 2004-05 to
2013-14.
In Crores

Ultra Tech Cement

The above table infers that, the total cement
production of Ultra Tech cements was Rs.2956 crores at the
beginning of the financial year 2004-05 and it had gradually
increased to Rs.19765 crores by the end of the financial year
2013-14. The total cement production of Ultra Tech limited
had registered growth rate of 66.19 percent between the study
period from 2004-05 to 2013-14.

ANNUAL SALES OF CEMENT

Fig.2.

Years

This chart indicates the annual cement sales of select cement

companies during the study period from 2004-05 to 2013-14.

227

IRACST- International Journal of Research in Management & Technology (IJRMT), ISSN: 2249-9563
Vol. 5, No.1, February 2015

Ultra Tech Cement

The above table infers that, the total cement sales of
Ultra Tech cements was Rs.2607 crores at the beginning of the
financial year 2004-05 and it had tremendously increased to
Rs.20078 crores at the end of the financial year 2013-14. The
total cement sales of Ultra Tech limited was growth rate of
27.63 per cent during the study period from 2004-05 to
2013-14.
India Cement
From the above data analysis it has been found that,
at the beginning of the financial year 2004-05 the total cement
sales of India limited was Rs.1017 crores and it had increased
to Rs.4597 crores at the end of the financial year 2013-14. The
total cement sales of India limited had the growth rate of 18.67
per cent during the study period from 2004-05 to 2013-14.
Ramco Cement
It has been clearly observed that, the total cement
sales of Ramco cements was Rs.739 crores at the beginning of
the financial year 2004-05 and it had gradually increased to
Rs.3684 crores at the end of the financial year 2013-14. The
total cement sales of Ramco limited was the growth rate of
18.74 per cent during the study period from 2004-05 to
2013-14.
Chettinad Cement
From the empirical data analysis it has been
identified that the total cement sales of Chettinad cements was
Rs.325 crores at the financial year 2004-05 and it had
increased to Rs.2451 crores by the end of the financial year
2013-14. The total cement sales of Chettinad limited had the
growth rate of 25.18 per cent during the study period of
2004-05 to 2013-14.
Short-Term Financial Feasibility of the Select Cement
Companies
Liquidity management is a concept that is gaining
serious attention all over the world because of the current
financial turmoil and the state of the world economy. It is the
ability of a company to meet the short term obligations, to
measure the ratios like current ratio, liquidity ratio, etc., of the
select cement companies. Hence, it is of utmost important to
keep a constant eye on liquidity position of the company as
without it the company cannot survive.

Long-Term Financial Feasibility of the Select Cement

Companies
Long term Solvency means the ability of the
enterprise to meet its long term obligation, to evaluate the
ratios like inventory ratio, debtors ratio, long term debtequity
ratio, fixed asset ratio, etc., of the select cement companies.
Long term lenders are basically interested in two things:
payment of interest periodically and repayment of principal
amount at the end of the loan period. Financial solvency ratios
are used to judge the long term financial soundness of any
business.

Profitability position of the Select Cement Companies

The most important financial objective of any
business is to earn profit. So, the managers lay more emphasis
towards profit. The higher the profit, the more efficient is the
business considered. The profitability ratios are calculated to
measure the overall efficiency of the business. The net profit
of select cement companies in Tamil Nadu for a period of
10 years during study period is shown in figure.3.
NET PROFIT RATIO OF THE SELECT CEMENT
COMPANIES
Fig.3.
Net Profit Ratio

ACC Cement
From the above data analysis it has been observed
that, at the beginning of the financial year 2004-05 the total
cement sales of ACC limited was Rs.3887 crores and its
cement sales had massively increased to Rs.11169 crores by
the end of the financial year 2013-14. The total cement
production of ACC limited had the growth rate of 13.92 per
cent during the study period from 2004-05 to 2013-14.

Years
This chart indicates the Net Profit Ratio of select cement companies during
the study period from 2004-05 to 2013-14.

ACC Cement
From the above data analysis it has been observed
that, at the beginning of the financial year 2004-05 the net
profit ratio of ACC limited was 0.09 and 0.09 by the end of
the financial year 2013-14. The net profit ratio of ACC limited
had the compound value of 56 per cent during the study period
from 2004-05 to 2013-14.
Ultra Tech Cement
The above table infers that, the net profit ratio of
Ultra Tech cements was 0.01 at the financial year 2004-05 and
it had 0.11 by the end of the financial year 2013-14. The net
profit ratio of Ultra Tech limited had the compound value of
41.67 per cent during the study period from 2004-05 to
2013-14.

228

IRACST- International Journal of Research in Management & Technology (IJRMT), ISSN: 2249-9563
Vol. 5, No.1, February 2015

India Cement
From the above data analysis it has been found that,
at the beginning of the financial year 2004-05 the net profit
ratio of India limited was -.01 and 0.04 by the end of the
financial year 2013-14. The net profit ratio of India limited
had the compound value of 183.33 per cent during the study
period from 2004-05 to 2013-14.
Ramco Cement
It has been clearly observed that, the net profit ratio
of Ramco cements was 0.08 at the financial year 2004-05 and
it had gradually increased to 0.03 by the end of the financial
year 2013-14. The net profit ratio of Ramco limited was 41.67
per cent during the study period from 2004-05 to 2013-14.

The profitability can be increased by controlling cost or

increasing sales.
The management is able to pinpoint weak spots and take
corrective measures to improve more.
CONCLUSIONS
The efficiency of a firm depends upon the working
operations of the concern. Profit earning is considered
essential for survival of the business. Both long term and
short term solvency ratios prove the solvency position and
efficiency of the select companies. The financial positions of
the selected cement companies are satisfactory.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Chettinad Cement
From the empirical data analysis it has been
identified that the net profit ratio of Chettinad cements was
0.04 at the financial year 2004-05 and it had 0.06 by the end of
the financial year 2013-14. The net profit ratio of Chettinad
limited was 55.56 per cent during the study period from
2004-05 to 2013-14.

Any achievement should have behind it a catalytic

and constant encouragement and advice of valuable and
notable minds for my efforts to bring out this research work.
I take this opportunity to express my thanks and gratitude to
and every one of them.I thank all of them for their support and
encouragement.

FINDINGS
The highest total cement production of Ultra Tech cements
was Rs.2956 crores in the year 2004-05 and it had
tremendous increased to Rs.19765 crores by the end of the
financial year 2013-14 and the lowest cement production
of Chettinad cements was Rs.230 crores at the financial
year 2004-05 and it had inclined to Rs.1787 crores by the
end of the financial year 2013-14.
The highest total cement sales of Ultra Tech cements was
2607 crores at the financial year 2004-05 and
tremendously increased to 20078 crores by the end of the
financial year 2013-14 whereas the least total cement sales
of Chettinad cements was 325 crores at the financial year
2004-05 and gradually increased to 2451 crores by the end
of the financial year 2013-14.
The net profit percentage of compound value of Ultra Tech
and Ramco limited was least as compared to ACC Limited
and Chettinad limited whereas India limited was highest of
select cement companies.
Multiple Regression Analysis indicated out of nine
variables tested only one variable (Fixed assets ratio) was
found to be statistically significant. Hence it has been
concluded that there exists no association between return
of total assets and the financial ratios of select cement
companies.
Multiple Regression Analysis indicated out of nine
variables tested only one variable (Interest Coverage ratio)
was found to be statistically significant. Hence it has been
concluded that there exists no association between return
of total assets and the financial ratios of select cement
companies.

[1]

REFERENCES

[2]

[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]

Jayant Sathaye (2005) Assessment of Energy Use and Energy Savings

Potential in Selected Industrial Sectors in India U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency through the U.S. Department of Energy. [Reference]
Alovsat Muslumov (2005), The financial and operating performance of
privatized companies in the Turkish cement industry, METU Studies in
Development, 32 (June), 2005, 59-1012. [Reference]
'Global Cement Directory 2013,' PRo Publications International Ltd.,
Epsom, UK, November 2012.
Sharma R K and Shashi K Gupta, Management accounting Principles
and practice, Kalyani publishers, 7th Edition, 1998.
Back issues of 'Global Cement Magazine,' PRo Pubications International
Ltd., Epsom, UK, January 2012 - January 2013.
Brigham E.F., Fundamental of financial management, The Dryden
press Hinsdale, Illinois, 1978.
Wright M.G., Financial Management, Tata McGraw-Hill publishing
Co. New Delhi, 1978.
Annual reports of select cement companies.
Media Reports, India in Business, Cement Corporation of India,
Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Cement
Manufacturers Association (CMA).

AUTHORS PROFILE
Authors Profile
1.

2.

Manjula Devi B is a Research Scholar of the Department of

Management Science (PG), SNR Sons College (Autonomous),
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Sabarinathan K, Associate Professor, Management Sciences (PG),
SNR Sons College (Autonomous), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
He has 3 years of industry experience and 12 years of teaching
experience.

SUGGESTIONS

229