The post pandemic rebound will be even more robust than the pre-pandemic times

- Dhirup Choudhary

CEO & Managing Director, HIL Limited

How do you look at the revival of the Indian infrastructure market post-Covid scenario?

There has been a slow yet steady and strong revival of the industry as we are eventually coming out of the pandemic. The whole economy and all industries are coming to terms with what we witnessed in the most unprecedented manner and the disruptions that it caused. The Indian government has played an integral role in spending and investing in public infrastructure to reboot the economy. We are certain that with more investments from private firms and government initiatives, the industry is to be back to its pre-pandemic levels very soon.

How is HIL evaluating its strategy to meet the changing market conditions and needs?

For our company to be viable, it is integral that we must always work to improve our current products and create brand-new offerings. To stay ahead of the competition, HIL adopts process innovations and takes decisions basis research on the dynamics of the ever-changing industry.

HIL has always adopted a customer-centric approach which has helped us understand our stakeholders better and modify our strategies accordingly. We have also understood the fact that there has been inflation, which is hitting the economies across the world and India has also felt tremors of the same. While the government is continuously looking at opportunities, ways to tackle inflation, HIL is simultaneously finding ways to alter its offerings by optimizing its product recipes and coupled with operational efficiencies to pass on minimum price escalation to customers. Consistent technological investments have enabled us to produce effectively and more efficiently over the years.

How does sustainability play an important role in HIL's product lines and solutions?

The goal of HIL's quality effort is to enhance the customer experience by making constant improvements to product offerings, providing world-class customer service, and adopting sustainable business practices.

We follow 'Five Way Green' philosophy:

• Green raw materials (with a low carbon footprint)
• Green manufacturing process (with zero effluents and emissions)
• Green energy profile
• Zero byproducts
• Green products (suitable for reuse and recycling).

Safety, employee well-being, and environmental conservation are our top priorities. Additionally, we put a lot of attention on promoting green building materials at work and around. HIL has also rolled out low-cost pollution control systems suitable for the fibre cement industry, and state-of-the-art health surveillance for employees. It is therefore no surprise that our technical experts have been invited to advise the government on regulatory and other matters.

HIL makes investments in a solid EHS (environmental, health, and safety) management system. It includes developing a methodical waste management strategy, adhering to environmental laws, or lowering the company's carbon footprint from an environmental perspective. Effective EHS programmes also address ergonomics, air quality, and other workplace safety issues that may have an impact on employee's health and well-being.

Also, to determine the concentration of fibres in the workplace, stack emissions and workplace dust levels are analysed. The measured levels in the workplace and stacks are less than the permissible levels prescribed by MOEF. The operations team makes sure that waste is generated as little as possible and that it is recycled and/or disposed of properly. All process water is recycled. Therefore, no effluents are released.

What are the major challenges anticipated when the market is coming back to normal? What opportunities do you visualize in the future?

Since the pandemic, the world has changed irrevocably. Digital transformations that would have taken a decade or longer were completed in a matter of weeks or months. Increasingly, globalisation is on the back foot as countries realise how fragile global supply chains can wreak havoc on domestic economies. Leaders are taking a hard look at globalisation. Many, including those in India, have concluded that self-reliance is the key to domestic prosperity.

There have been various initiatives taken in view of an Atma Nirbhar Bharat, which has given impetus to the industry. We are also trying to become self-reliant by using more locally produced raw materials. We are focused on bringing substitutes for imported products to ensure that we are relying more on India made materials rather than on imported materials. It is also encouraging to see how the Indian Government has been continuously supporting local manufacturing. This is indeed a good sign if we look from an Indian economy's perspective.

No matter how difficult the past two years have been for all industries, we are bullish on the back of India's continued economic and industrial development across sectors and we are certain that the post pandemic rebound will be even more robust than the pre-pandemic times.

What are the company's expansion plans in the coming years?

The CK Birla Group-owned construction material solutions company, HIL has recently acquired the AAC blocks business of Fastbuild Blocks. It seeks to meet the demand for AAC blocks in the eastern India with this development. This move is consistent with HIL's dedication to providing its customers with the best products possible while also working to establish and uphold its leadership position in India. HIL will continue to look at value additive expansion in the building materials segments, both organically and through acquisitions.

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