V-Guard Industries Limited

V-Guard Industries reported its highest ever quarterly revenue in Q4 FY25, reaching ₹1,538 crores, a 14.5% year-on-year increase. This growth was broad-based, with the Electronics segment surging by 26.3% YoY, Electricals by 14.6% YoY, and Consumer Durables by 11.9% YoY. The non-South market continued its strong trajectory, growing 18.6% YoY in Q4 and contributing 47.5% to full-year revenue (excluding Sunflame).

The company achieved a gross margin of 35.5% in Q4 FY25, an increase of 100 basis points from the previous year, largely recovering to pre-COVID levels. Q4 EBITDA (excluding other income) stood at ₹143 crores, up 11.9% YoY, while consolidated PAT for the quarter increased by 19.42% YoY to ₹91 crores. For the full year, consolidated PAT grew 21.8% to ₹314 crores, and the company is now debt-free after repaying the Sunflame acquisition loan.

The Sunflame business experienced a 24% top-line degrowth in Q4, primarily due to a high base effect and stress in the CSD channel, which now faces increased competition and overstocking. Management is actively integrating Sunflame's operations with V-Guard's, focusing on product portfolio refresh (with most new SKUs expected in 3-4 months) and strengthening service, logistics, and quality management by September-October. The GT and E-commerce channels for Sunflame are expected to grow and contribute about 60% of its revenue, but CSD recovery remains unpredictable.

V-Guard's existing battery manufacturing facility in Hyderabad is operating at full capacity, prompting plans for a new capacity expansion expected to be operational within 18-24 months and fully stabilized within 2.5 years. This new capacity, involving a ₹50 crore machinery investment, is projected to support ₹300-400 crores in net sales throughput. The company also reported strong growth in its solar rooftop business, housed within Electronics, aiming for "really good numbers" within 4-5 years, leveraging government incentives.

Despite a weak summer season in South India, which could impact Q1 FY26 sales of cooling products due to pre-season channel filling and lower sell-out, management remains confident in achieving 14-15% top-line growth for the full year FY26. They also expressed strong confidence in maintaining current margin levels. New product launches, including a mid-market range of BLDC fans and premium water heaters, are expected to drive demand across different pricing segments.

Other expenses increased by 16% in Q4, slightly higher than turnover growth, attributed to factory-related costs, manufacturing expenses, and increased A&P. Employee expenses grew 15-16% over three years, including Sunflame additions and new factory staff. While some new facilities like the Vapi plant for kitchen appliances are not yet at full capacity, leading to initial under-absorption, other factories are largely stabilized, indicating potential for operating leverage benefits as utilization improves.

For V-Guard's portfolio (excluding wires), approximately 40-45% of business comes from non-GT channels (modern trade, e-commerce, CSD-CPC, MFI), with GT accounting for 55-60%. Electricals categories like wires, switches, switchgears, and pumps are predominantly GT-oriented (around 98%). The company has no plans to enter the solar pump market, citing its reliance on government tenders and the distinct, volatile agricultural channel.