Bajaj Electricals Limited (BAJAJELEC.BO) Q2 FY2026 Earnings Call Transcript & Summary

October 31, 2025

BSE IN Consumer Discretionary Household Durables Earnings Calls 54 min

Earnings Call Speaker Segments

Operator

Operator
#1

Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to Bajaj Electricals Limited Q2 FY '26 Earnings Conference Call hosted by Ambit Capital Private Limited. [Operator Instructions] Please note that this conference is being recorded. I now hand the conference over to Mr. Dhruv Jain from AMBIT Capital Private Limited. Thank you, and over to you, sir.

Dhruv Jain

Analysts
#2

Thank you. Hello, everyone. Welcome to the Q2 FY '26 Earnings Call of Bajaj Electricals Limited. From the management side today, we have with us Mr. Shekhar Bajaj, Chairman; Mr. Sanjay Sachdeva, MD and CEO; Mr. E.C. Prasad, CFO; Mr. Vishal Chadha, CEO, Consumer Products; Mr. Rajesh Naik, COO, Lighting Solutions. Thank you, and over to you, sir, for your opening remarks.

Shekharkumar Bajaj

Executives
#3

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'm Shekhar Bajaj here. Thank you for attending Bajaj Electrical's Q2 earnings call. We hope you've had an opportunity to review our financial results and earnings presentation, which are available on the stock exchanges. At the outset, I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes for Diwali. Hope this new year brings joy and prosperity to you and your families. The government's announcement of comprehensive GST reforms featuring significant rate reductions across most product categories marked a major milestone in simplifying India's indirect tax regime. While these reforms are expected to stimulate consumption in the second half, their rollout caused short-term transitional challenges during the quarter. The anticipation of GST cut rates led to pricing uncertainties across trade channels, resulting in temporary postponement of demand even though our category was not directly impacted. This was further compounded by the early onset of monsoons with subdued overall demand. The summer products experienced weakness with overhang of shorter summer and higher channel inventories. In spite of high volatility in the electrical and consumer durable sector, our nonseasonal products list like mixers, iron and water heaters have done well, registering a single-digit growth. Further, our Lighting Solutions vertical has delivered a standout performance for this quarter. It not only delivered 9.6% revenue growth, but also delivered a strong EBIT margin of 7.9%. We remain confident in our strategic direction and the resilience of our business model. With the continued focus on operational excellence, innovation and market responsiveness, we are well positioned to navigate short-term headwinds and unlock sustained value for our stakeholders. Furthermore, with IMT forecast of strong winters, we are optimistic for our coming quarter. Lastly, you all may have heard the announcement and exchange intimation of the resignation of our CFO, Mr. E.C. Prasad. He is moving on to take up an external opportunity. He joined us in November 2019 and has played a pivotal role in transforming Bajaj Electrical. Under his leadership, he led the demerger EPC vertical, transformed BL to a debt-free company, carved out a lighting solution vertical and streamlined our overall business model. His contribution to the Board and the company are invaluable, and we wish him luck for his future endeavors. With this, I now hand it over to Sanjay Sachdeva for our detailed business and financial highlights. Thank you.

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#4

Thank you, Chairman. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for joining our investor call. My wishes for Diwali and New Year. Hope this brings joy and prosperity to you and your families. As Chairman explained, this quarter has been marked by considerable volatility impacting the demand pattern of our consumer products vertical, mainly due to extended monsoon and GST rate reform. The Lighting Solutions vertical has done exceptionally well. We are observing price stabilization in the LED segment, which has augmented revenue growth. Not only it has delivered revenue growth of 9.6%, but the EBIT is up by 46% from INR 15 crores to INR 22 crores on a year-to-year basis. Year-to-date margins in the business remain at 9.2%, which is very encouraging. Further, consumer lighting witnessed double-digit volume and value growth in general trade also. Our strategy to increase our revenue contribution in focused categories like ceiling lights and outdoor lights are showing results, and we expect the traction to continue going forward, including in quarter 3. We had launched Switchgears in August 2025 and are very happy to see its progress. The initial response from the channel partners is encouraging, and it reinforces our confidence on the strength of our brand. Lastly, professional lighting has also delivered a good growth along with high single-digit margins. And we expect, again, to continue this over the near future. In case of consumer products vertical, the first quarter of financial year '26 had early onset of monsoon, and you know that. This has impacted sales of summer products even in Q2. The high channel inventory has put pressure on our sales to our distributors to a trade. Further, while GST rate reforms are sweeping, it did not have any impact on our ECD business. However, this uncertainty and anticipation of GST rate cuts led to pricing...

Operator

Operator
#5

[Operator Instructions].

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#6

Okay. Let me talk a few things again. So we had launched switchgears in August 2025 and are very happy with its progress. The initial response from the channel partners is encouraging, and it reinforces that we have a very strong brand. Lastly, professional lighting has also delivered good growth with high single-digit margins. We are confident this will continue over the next few quarters. In case of consumer products vertical, the first quarter of financial '26 had early onset of monsoon, and you're aware of that, and this has impacted our sale of our summer products. Even in Q2, the high channel inventory has put pressure on primary sales, which is our sales from us to our distributors and to our channel partners. Further, the GST rate reforms are sweeping and did not have any impact on our ECD business, but the uncertainty and anticipation of GST rate cuts led to pricing uncertainties across trade channels. This resulted in temporary postponement of demand. Further, when we dissect the results, while at an overall level, CP revenues are down by 4%, but certain categories have done well. These are categories like mixers, iron, and water heaters, where Bajaj is an undisputed market leader and where penetration levels are low and overall growth is, therefore, in our favor. Now this is where we have grown high single digit. Ceiling fans, in this quarter, we have grown by double digit, which again gives us confidence that for the resilience of our business. The drag in revenue is due to seasonal products like TPW, fans and air coolers. We have improved our gross margins in this quarter. However, the fixed cost absorption is creating an operating deleverage in this vertical. Over the next few quarters, our focus stays to increase top line and improve market share, while continuing to spend on the brands and other initiatives like go-to-market, digitization, manufacturing excellence, et cetera. Lastly, a few weeks back, as you know, our Board had principally approved the acquisition of Morphy Richards Brand. This acquisition is in line with our strategy of dual brand architecture. We are very positive about this acquisition and expect this to play out well in the future. With this, I would like to open the call for questions. Thank you.

Operator

Operator
#7

[Operator Instructions] The first question is from the line of Renu Baid from IIFL.

Renu Baid

Analysts
#8

Best wishes for Diwali to everyone. My first question pertains to understanding a bit more about -- so what has been your read-through of demand pickup after the implementation of GST, the festive offtake, Diwali offtake in October? How has it been so far? And how do you plan to offset the inflationary pressures through what range of price hikes being planned in this quarter or so? That's the first question.

Vishal Chadha

Executives
#9

This is Vishal. The initial estimations, which we have about the festive month is that it's muted. And coming to the second question around inflationary pressures, we will be -- we have already announced, in fact, price hikes in fans due to commodity price increase and we are keeping a close watch. And as and when we believe the market has the capability to absorb and as well as our own objectives, we will be taking further price hikes accordingly.

Renu Baid

Analysts
#10

Sure. On the launch of switchgears earlier this year, how has been that reception of this product from the trade of the channel? And what kind of investments have we done or we have planned to do in terms of GTM as well as on the product performance and launch here?

Vishal Chadha

Executives
#11

Okay. So Renu, the launch even was very successful. Actually, we got orders much more than what we expected. So we are still in the process of fulfilling those orders. We are yet to get a feedback on the secondaries that is happening. So probably by the end of this quarter, we will come to know about the secondaries, but the primary pickup has been very great.

Renu Baid

Analysts
#12

Right. And would this be a pan-India focus to start with or more regionally...

Vishal Chadha

Executives
#13

No, it's on a pan-India basis. And there is no investment for this project.

Renu Baid

Analysts
#14

So it would be entirely bought out for us at this point in time.

Vishal Chadha

Executives
#15

Yes.

Renu Baid

Analysts
#16

Got it. Right. And lastly, a bit more in detail in terms of while we have now -- as the Morphy Richards, coming under our umbrella technically. So this dual brand strategy of having Morphy clearly positioned across range for premium, mass premium segment and Bajaj for rest of the other categories. So what kind of subsegments are we looking to expand under the Morphy brand? And how do we plan to roll out our dual brand strategy in the market in the next couple of quarters?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#17

So we are still evaluating -- Morphy already operates under -- in categories like kitchen, personal care, et cetera. And we are still evaluating, which other categories it could extend to. But in the short term, we expect it to continue to operate in the current categories it operates...

Operator

Operator
#18

The next question comes from the line of Achal Lohade from Nuvama Equity Investments.

Achalkumar Lohade

Analysts
#19

Sir, if you could talk about these one-offs or recurring, if you could explain, you've talked about the warranty insurance claim. What is the like-to-like number in the previous quarters? How do we see this in terms of the numbers? Is there a positive net-net, Y-o-Y, Q-o-Q? If you could give a comparable number for 2Q '25 and also 1Q '26?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#20

So this is the warranty insurance that we have taken on our warranties that we give. So last year, it was an expense actually. So the expenses far exceeded the claims that we have got. So this year, the claim received is much higher than the expenses. And the delta, what you are seeing there is about INR 13 crores.

Achalkumar Lohade

Analysts
#21

So is it fair to say that -- last year was impacted. Yes. So going forward, does it make sense to say that you will have more likelihood of claims than really additional expenses? Is that a fair assessment?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#22

Yes, yes, yes.

Achalkumar Lohade

Analysts
#23

Okay. Second question I had in terms of the A&P spend, would you be able to quantify how much was that in 2Q '26 and versus 2Q '25?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#24

So we have spent about 2.3% in this year as against 2.5% last year.

Achalkumar Lohade

Analysts
#25

Sorry, when you're saying this year, you meaning for the quarter or the first half, sir?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#26

For the quarter.

Achalkumar Lohade

Analysts
#27

For the quarter. Okay. And this is as a percentage of total revenue, right, and not just the CP revenue?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#28

No, no. Total revenue.

Achalkumar Lohade

Analysts
#29

Got it. And you've mentioned that you have seen a gross margin expansion. Would you be able to quantify? And how much more headroom do we have in terms of gross margin expansion?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#30

So the VAV is still going on. So that's a continuous process that we have taken up. We have seen a significant improvement of close to 200 basis point improvement on the gross margin. And this is likely to continue. I mean there will be even more benefits coming in through VAV. Having said that, if there is a reason to pass on something to the market, we'll have to do that.

Achalkumar Lohade

Analysts
#31

Understood. And if you could comment for the key categories like fans, water heater, irons. In terms of market share, have we kind of maintained, gained or lost a little bit market share over the last 6 months or whatever, 12 months?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#32

So Achal, I think it's more or less flat. So I wouldn't say it's a drop. It's a very thin margin. Somewhere we have gained a few -- in few decimals, somewhere we have lost in few decimals. So it's more or less flat over the last 6 months.

Achalkumar Lohade

Analysts
#33

So on a total basis, it is flat. In certain categories, we could have lost a little bit or in certain categories we could have gained, but there is no disproportionate change in any of the categories. Is that right understanding, sir?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#34

Yes, that's right. That's right.

Achalkumar Lohade

Analysts
#35

Understood. And given how October has played out, do you see that the worst is behind us? Or you think the consumption-related pain is still around, we still have to wait for a few quarters for us to have a double-digit kind of a growth in the CP business?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#36

So, Achal, we are actually cautiously optimistic about what's happening. I mean, things are -- I mean the demand again is what you're seeing is skewed towards high-end consumer durables and all of that stuff. We do not see a lot of momentum happening in the small appliances. But having said that, I think there is a lot of money in the people -- much more money in the people's pocket because of all the reforms that government has done. So we are optimistic that things might come back, but we have to wait and watch.

Achalkumar Lohade

Analysts
#37

Understood. Sir, if I...

Operator

Operator
#38

Achal, sorry to interrupt in between, sir. You may rejoin the queue for the follow-up question. The next question comes from the line of Nishita Shanklesha from Sapphire Capital.

Nishita Shanklesha

Analysts
#39

I had a question about the acquisition of Morphy Richards. So when will this acquisition be value accretive to us?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#40

So it will be value accretive from the day 1. We are still in the process of getting the agreement signed. So hopefully, in a month's time, we should be done with the agreement and then the value accretion will start immediately.

Nishita Shanklesha

Analysts
#41

Okay. So how much incremental revenue do you see from this acquisition in H2?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#42

So we will save on the royalty that we are giving the Morphy, the Glen, the parent company. So quantum, we normally don't disclose, but we'll be saving on the royalty, which is a significant amount.

Nishita Shanklesha

Analysts
#43

Okay. So like if you can quantify the royalty that you will be saving?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#44

No, we cannot -- because it's a sensitive information as far as the competition is concerned, so we won't be disclosing that.

Nishita Shanklesha

Analysts
#45

Okay. And if you can give any revenue guidance for FY '26?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#46

No, we don't give a forward statement. So we would not like to do that.

Operator

Operator
#47

The next question comes from the line of Balasubramanian from Arihant Capital.

Balasubramanian A

Analysts
#48

Sir, my first question, what is the revenue contribution share for new product development in this quarter? I think we have an ambition to reach 40% of revenue. And what is the time line to achieve those targets? And what is the primary source for this innovation like internal R&D or OEM partnerships, et cetera?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#49

So Mr. Balasubramanian, your voice is not very clear. What I could hear is what is the contribution from NPD. So that's about 40%. So when I say NPD, that is a product that has been launched over the last 2 years.

Balasubramanian A

Analysts
#50

Okay, sir. And sir, for Nirlep restructuring, what is the potential onetime financial impact? And what kind of post restructuring, what kind of impact do you expect?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#51

So as of now, where we stand, we don't see any major impact. We are still evaluating the various possibilities. And as and when we are closer to the deal, we'll let you know.

Balasubramanian A

Analysts
#52

Okay. Just one small question. I think the launch of Turbo Prime BLDC and what is the plan to compete with specialized BLDC focused players and a commoditized offering? What is the target market share for BLDC fans? And how critical is this defending the core fan business?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#53

Sorry, could you please repeat the question? I didn't understand the question.

Balasubramanian A

Analysts
#54

Sir, on that I think the launch of Turbo Prime BLDC and what is the plan to compete with specialized BLDC focused players and commoditized offerings? And what is the targeted market share for BLDC fans over next 3 to 5 years' time frame?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#55

So I can't really comment on this Turbo because I have no idea. We have launched. But on the BLDC piece, BLDC continues to -- at this moment in time, our BLDC contribution to our fans is around 15% to 20%. And it's -- as you all know, BLDC is a fast-growing market. So we will be coming up with new models and new offerings, and we will take our fair share in the market.

Balasubramanian A

Analysts
#56

Sir, what is the market share, sir? So market -- sorry, what is the market size for the industry?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#57

Our understanding is that in value terms, BLDC is now 1/4 of the total fan market.

Operator

Operator
#58

The next question comes from the line of Keshav Lahoti from HDFC Securities.

Keshav Lahoti

Analysts
#59

As I can see from your presentation, your fan total have declined in spite ceiling fan growing by double digit means the TPW fan has seen a significant decline. Possible to a range about what is the decline of TPW fan as well as [indiscernible]? And what is the TPW and ceiling fan mix?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#60

Well, as can be inferred, TPW is a double-digit degrowth. Sorry, what was the next question?

Shekharkumar Bajaj

Executives
#61

Percentage of TPW.

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#62

So we don't share that data in terms of the split.

Keshav Lahoti

Analysts
#63

Okay. Got it. So we see the lighting margin is still healthy, but although there is a decline sequentially, what is the reason for the same? And how should we see the margin going forward? And secondly, once you will now enter switchgear business, so switchgear margin would be in line with lighting or possibly it would be dilutive because the business is at initial stage?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#64

So sequentially, the margin improved -- sorry, please continue.

Shekharkumar Bajaj

Executives
#65

I was just mentioning about switchgear, it will be not diluting the overall margin of the lighting business. It will add to that because initial sales first quarter -- first 2 quarters we will be investing in [ BTL ] and other activities, so that we get the traction in the secondary as well as the tertiary. And then it will be in line with what Lighting Solutions is delivering. So there will be no drag in the margins.

Keshav Lahoti

Analysts
#66

Got it. So Lighting, I can see there is a sequential decline, like EBIT margin is 8%, while last quarter, it was 11% sequentially. However, it is higher year-on-year. So how should we see the margin going forward? And whether you have given higher incentives this spend, so there is a decline sequentially?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#67

No, no, it's not because of that. It's because of the mix of the B2B versus B2C. So that's why you see this changes quarter-on-quarter. Nothing to do with dilution in the margin. So that's why the better comparison is with June '24 last year, where we have increased from 6% to 7.9%. The B2B contribution of the last quarter was much higher, but it is highly margin accretive, and that's why the EBIT was close to 10%...

Keshav Lahoti

Analysts
#68

Understood. Got it. And how is the channel inventory on TPW and cooler side?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#69

The channel inventory, as was mentioned in the opening remarks by Managing Director, continues to remain high.

Operator

Operator
#70

The next question comes from the line of Aniruddha Joshi from ICICI Bank.

Aniruddha Joshi

Analysts
#71

Sir, 2 questions. Now with this brand restructuring that is getting implemented, so where does the brand NEX stand now? Because earlier, there were a lot of hopes around that brand. Now how should we think about NEX positioning? Question #1. Question #2, we have seen this year unusually high rainfall even in October month. And even the small season generally, the summer product companies get in -- due to October heat, that also seems to be washed out. And again, that's called out by some of the paint companies or even, let's say, the ice cream, et cetera, also. So how do you see the season in Q3 in a way working out? Yes, that's it from my side.

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#72

Yes. I'll take the second question first. You're absolutely right. There is usually a small second summer, which this time did not pan out. And that's why I said in the beginning that we see a muted number in October also. Coming to the first question, we had indicated some time back that NEX is now a sub-brand under the Bajaj brand name. It's no longer an independent brand as it was earlier. And with the 2 brand strategy which we have of Morphy as well as Bajaj brand, NEX will be a subset of the Bajaj brand.

Operator

Operator
#73

The next question comes from the line of Natasha Jain from PhillipCapital.

Natasha Jain

Analysts
#74

My first question. Sir, in your presentation, you've written that there is a single-digit value decline in domestic appliances. Could you call out which product category would these be?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#75

Coolers.

Natasha Jain

Analysts
#76

Okay. Sir, because just below that, you've written coolers have witnessed double-digit value decline. So I wasn't sure what would be the single digit in domestic appliances? Would that be geezers and water heaters or...

Vishal Chadha

Executives
#77

So it's coolers, which have declined double digit. Water heater has grown, iron has grown. So it's basically the -- when we say DAP, that includes coolers in.

Natasha Jain

Analysts
#78

Got it. Okay. So there is no product category basically with a single-digit value decline, as mentioned in the presentation?

Vishal Chadha

Executives
#79

No. It's a combined.

Natasha Jain

Analysts
#80

Got it, sir. And just wanted to know your sense, how do you see the market for fans panning out given a B rating is in the office? Do you expect pricing pressures?

Vishal Chadha

Executives
#81

Yes, we do expect it because the new ratcheting starts from 1st of January 2026. And with the channel already carrying a high inventory, we do expect pressure on it.

Natasha Jain

Analysts
#82

So any -- already, are you seeing any kind of pricing pressure amongst the brands or competition?

Vishal Chadha

Executives
#83

I can't comment on that.

Operator

Operator
#84

The next question comes from the line of Rachana from [indiscernible].

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#85

Sir, can you please give us some color on your kitchen appliances category? As you know in the presentation, it's mentioned that we have seen a double-digit value growth. So how have our 3 brands, Bajaj Nirlep and Morphy Richards performed individually across core categories and channels? Also, if you could provide some color on the new products launched and regarding Nirlep, we had earlier discussed our plans to restructure the brand. Could you provide some color on that as well? Lastly, if you could quantify the contribution of kitchen appliances as a percentage of total ECD business and a ballpark figure regarding the EBITDA margins in the kitchen appliance category? That would be my question.

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#86

There's a lot of questions over there. So I'll start with the ones I remember. So as far as the kitchen category is concerned, whether it is mixes or its inductions, or kettles, et cetera, we have grown in all the subsegments of those. At a brand level, Nirlep has seen a decline and Bajaj has seen a growth.

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#87

Okay. And regarding channels, if you could quantify and the pace of new products in the Bajaj brand?

Vishal Chadha

Executives
#88

Sorry, I didn't understand the questions.

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#89

Which channels we have -- we have done well across all channels.

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#90

Okay. And how has the trend of -- how have the mix of premium categories of premium products improved for us in the kitchen appliance category?

Vishal Chadha

Executives
#91

Yes. Our -- we have seen an improvement in our premiumization in the mix category which we measure.

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#92

If you could quantify that?

Vishal Chadha

Executives
#93

No, we don't quantify those numbers.

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#94

Sorry?

Vishal Chadha

Executives
#95

It's high double digits growth.

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#96

Okay. And the contribution of kitchen appliances as a percentage of total ECD business, if you could quantify that as well?

Vishal Chadha

Executives
#97

We don't unfortunately share that information in this.

Operator

Operator
#98

The next question comes from the line of Manan Goel from ICICI Securities. Due to no response, we will move ahead with the next participant. The next question comes from the line of Manoj Gori from Equirus Capital.

Manoj Gori

Analysts
#99

Sir, 1 question. I do understand that we -- currently the inventory levels of fans are higher in the channel. But last time when we saw that star ratings were getting implemented in the December quarter, Bajaj especially was very aggressive in terms of inventory, pushing inventory into the channel and probably we registered somewhere around 50% growth in the December quarter of fans as a category how do you read the situation here, whether channel would be influenced to stock more to avoid -- to get the benefit of the pricing? Or how do you read the situation for current quarter? Yes. That's the first question.

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#100

While we do anticipate pressures in terms of stocking up of the channel because this time is the second time, we are probably slightly better prepared in terms of navigating this change. So I don't think it will be as much of a push into the channel as probably happened the last time.

Manoj Gori

Analysts
#101

Right. And sir, at the portfolio level, as Bajaj as a group for consumer products, probably we have been taking initiatives to premiumize our positioning from channel point of view, from consumers' point of view, how successful we have been, if you can quantify numbers probably, let's say, for FY '25 versus FY '21 or FY '17, how has the progress been at the portfolio level? I'm not talking about for any specific category. So if you can throw some light over here, it would be helpful.

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#102

So in terms of the premiumization of our portfolio across all our core categories, we are progressing well, as I had mentioned earlier also.

Manoj Gori

Analysts
#103

Can you quantify any number because earlier, we used to talk about numbers, probably like -- our numbers used to be -- so subeconomy for fans, we used to be around 92% a few years back. We came -- we improved that to 76%. So can you throw some light because see, obviously, when you say it's improved, the improvement can be anything. So just want to have some broad sense on how premiumization trend is playing out because we have been taking these efforts for years now.

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#104

So let's put it like this. We measure our premiumization by contribution of premium product to the total category. And we keep measuring what is the percentage change in this. Suffice to add, across categories, whether it's fans or whether it's mixer grinder or heater, we are growing anywhere between 100 to 300 bps of contribution increase since period.

Manoj Gori

Analysts
#105

100 to 300 basis point increase every year we are seeing on the premiumization side.

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#106

So between categories, it keeps changing. So that's why I said...

Operator

Operator
#107

[Operator Instructions] The next question comes from the line of Achal Lohade from Nuvama Equities.

Achalkumar Lohade

Analysts
#108

Just a clarification. When you say channel inventory is high, is that for us? Is that for the entire industry?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#109

Well, I'm assuming it's for the industry because everybody has faced the same early onset of monsoon.

Vishal Chadha

Executives
#110

And Achal, if you see the results also, I think everyone more or less has reported the same amount of growth or degrowth. So -- and what we find from the channel partners is the inventory across is very high. And not only that, I mean, even the inventories of white goods is affecting the overall market even for us.

Achalkumar Lohade

Analysts
#111

Right. Okay. And in terms of the -- even the channel inventory is so high, how do we look at this when you say you have announced price hike and you will not shy from taking further price hike? How do we add these 2 things? Is the industry also responding with price hike or it's only us who has taken a price hike?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#112

Well, most of the players have announced price hikes. And the way we typically would do it is we would do it in a calibrated manner depending on the situation and the situation of inventory. So some places, it will be a little higher, some places it will be a little lower. And in certain places, we might need to claw back that in terms of additional channel incentives.

Achalkumar Lohade

Analysts
#113

And what is the quantum of increase we have taken, sir? We have announced rather?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#114

We have announced an increase of anywhere between 1% to 3%.

Achalkumar Lohade

Analysts
#115

1% to 3%. And since when, sir?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#116

We can't announce the exact date, but it will be sometime in November, early December.

Achalkumar Lohade

Analysts
#117

You're planning for price increase. Okay. Okay. Understood. Sorry, I thought you have already taken price increase you meant.

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#118

No, we haven't taken it as yet, but announced.

Achalkumar Lohade

Analysts
#119

But announced.

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#120

We have announced it, but we haven't taken it because we need to give advanced notice to the partners.

Achalkumar Lohade

Analysts
#121

Right. Understood. In terms of the BIS, there have been talks about BIS across other appliances as well. So if you could highlight which other categories there you seeing BIS is kind of getting implemented? And how does it affect us in terms of whether it helps in terms of significant change in growth rate or not really it's fairly -- everybody is able to manage that part?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#122

As of now, we are able to navigate and I have no comments on this at this moment in time.

Operator

Operator
#123

The next question comes from the line of Balasubramanian from Arihant Capital.

Balasubramanian A

Analysts
#124

Sir, this AWE Plus Smart Ble LED lamp is compatible with Amazon Alexa and the Bajaj Smart app. And what is the broader strategy for creating connected home ecosystems? And is there any plan to integrate more appliances beyond Lighting? And how will you compete with larger tech and ecosystem players?

Vishal Chadha

Executives
#125

So as a strategy, this was the first step what we have taken in the Lighting because it is the obvious integration, which can be done with the blue. But we are working to bring the complete ecosystem, which is across home appliances, whatever depends can be managed through the app that we are working on. And once that is ready as a single app, we will come back to the market.

Operator

Operator
#126

The next question comes from the line of Dhruv Jain from AMBIT Capital.

Dhruv Jain

Analysts
#127

Sir, I had 1 question. So if you look at the last 4 or 5 years, the consumer products business has grown maybe at 4% or 5% CAGR. Now we understand that there have been challenges around the industry. But over the next 2 or 3 years, in your view, how does this accelerate going forward? Or it's going to remain a little bit muted in the next 2 years, if the industry challenges persist. So just want your thoughts that as how are you looking at this -- your consumer products vertical as a whole over the next 3 or 4 years? Do you think double-digit growth is possible or it will be similar to what it is going on right now?

Vishal Chadha

Executives
#128

So we don't give forward statement, but all that we can say is it largely depends upon how the market growth rates are. And we intend to maintain our market share or grow our market share. So that will give you the idea that what kind of growth we should expect. But very difficult, as you could see this year, because of the season, the growth rates were very different from what we had predicted. So very difficult to say that. But you can add the 2.

Dhruv Jain

Analysts
#129

Fair enough. And sir, on the margin side, again, if we look at the margins in the consumer business, they have also come off significantly. So how should we see that going forward? Any -- apart from the wave initiatives and some of the cost initiatives that you are driving, do you think that in the next 2 or 3 years, we could go back to those similar levels? Or it's just going to be a gradual recovery in your...

Vishal Chadha

Executives
#130

So there are 2 ways you should see margins. I think you're seeing the EBIT margins. As we said, yes, the FLM, which is our gross margins, that's improving, which is very good news, and it's improving handsomely. And we -- in spite of the fact that we didn't have a good quarter for summer products, we decided not to curtail our investment in many initiatives, which I think are good for us in the long term, and they are strategic in nature. So therefore, you see at EBIT level, we have not brought it down to -- and also, there is a deleverage because of the turnover coming down. So when the things turn around and which we are sure is going to happen as we move forward, you will see margins coming back.

Dhruv Jain

Analysts
#131

Sure, sir. And just one bit on the Murphy Richards part, right? If you could just talk about how this acquisition will change the way this brand is being operated by Bajaj. I know the royalty bit, but apart from new product launches, how are you thinking about this?

Shekharkumar Bajaj

Executives
#132

I'm Sekhar Bajaj here. The whole idea is that we've been working with Morphy Richards for the last 18 years. We've got another 12 to 13 years still to go. The issue is that by then, we hope that suppose after so many years, our brand becomes very popular, and we do -- we reach a level of INR 1,000 crores. And then suddenly, they say we don't want to deal with you. So all our effort to create the brand and all the amount which we've invested goes down the drain. So therefore, with this, we can now afford to spend money to do whatever is required to see that we are in a position to grow this brand because now it's our brand.

Operator

Operator
#133

The next question comes from the line of Mahesh from HDFC Securities.

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#134

Yes, sir, regarding high channel inventory in fans, so this is pertain to TPW fan or entire fan category?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#135

The highest channel inventory is in TPW. Ceiling fans is high, but not a significant matter of concern as TPW is.

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#136

Okay. And regarding the VAV norm, whether the higher cost will pass to market in phased manner or in one go?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#137

First, we will try to pass it up in a phased manner depending on the situation and the competitive context.

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#138

Okay, sir. Sir, last on lighting. Sir, what is lighting B2B order book now?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#139

210 crores.

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#140

What was in this quarter last year?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#141

Last quarter. Sorry, current it's INR 178 crores versus INR 210 crores last year. So INR 210 crores was last year.

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#142

Just one more question, if you allow. Sir, what is Morphy revenue mix in FY '25?

Shekharkumar Bajaj

Executives
#143

Morphy turnover?

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#144

No, we don't give the split. So...

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#145

In earlier years, you have reported in annual reports. So in FY '24, I think...

Sanjay Sachdeva

Executives
#146

So I mean, you can mention in terms of percentage terms, it varies anywhere from 6% to 8%...

Operator

Operator
#147

The last question comes from the line of Rachana from [indiscernible].

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#148

As mentioned in the previous answer, B2B Lighting revenue has been decreased to INR 178 crores. Is this a calibrated approach because -- and are we considering to increase the share of B2C Lighting given that it's more -- it gives more better margins compared to B2B. And also, if you could give us some color on the product mix, which helped -- which helped us gain better EBIT margins this quarter?

Shekharkumar Bajaj

Executives
#149

Just to start with from consumer lighting to professional lighting, yes, consumer lighting piece is much bigger, and we are working on -- that's why we said that our trade sales have improved high double digit in value as well as volume. We have a clear focus to grow that, which gives us the way for increasing the market share. And also, we have changed the product mix. We are focusing on some focus categories, which gives us better margins. So that is on the B2C side, which is the consumer lighting. On professional lighting, you must have seen that order intake has gone down a little bit it was a delay. In October 1 thing itself, we won a big orders around INR 30 crores to INR 40 crores, which compensates or crosses the earlier mark what we had of the order book in the previous quarter last year. So that is not a concern. Normally, it is not like consumer lighting that will be on a regular basis, the same orders can shift depending on the election, depending on the funds availability at the government and the infrastructure agencies. So that is not a concern. And margin-wise, I think both businesses are delivering similar margins. Earlier, consumer lighting was low with the product mix, we are trying to improve that. Professional lighting was not a concern.

Operator

Operator
#150

Ladies and gentlemen, that was the last question for today. I would now like to hand the conference back to the management for closing comments. Over to you, sir.

Vishal Chadha

Executives
#151

Thank you very much for all the people who have joined. It was a good discussion, and we are hoping that the future will be much stronger than what has happened this year. Thank you.

Operator

Operator
#152

Thank you. On behalf of Bajaj Electricals Limited, that concludes this conference. Thank you for joining us today, and you may now disconnect your lines.

For developers and AI pipelines

Programmatic access to Bajaj Electricals Limited earnings transcripts and 32,000+ others is available through the EarningsCalls.dev REST API. Plans from $24.99/month — full transcripts, speaker segments, full-text search, and the recently-added /api/v1/transcripts/recent polling endpoint for ETL pipelines.