To,
The Members,
Welspun Specialty Solutions Limited
(Formerly known as RMG Alloy Steel Limited)
Your Directors are pleased to present the Forty-Second Annual Report together with Audited Financial Statement of the Company for the year ended 31st March 2024.
(Rs. in Lakhs)
2023-24
71,817
7,733
3,325
1,548
2,860
Operations of the Company were as under:
Production Sales Gross Sales (Qty M.T.) (Qty M.T.) (Rs.in Lakhs)
2022-23
Production (Qty M.T.)
Sales (Qty M.T.)
4,683
4,785
25,294
28,439*
15,903
43,762
-
611
33,122
20,688
69,667
*Includes produced for Captive Consumption
By pursuing a well-defined business transformation strategy, the Company could achieve a complete turnaround during FY24 witnessing first year of consistent profitability.
During FY24, the Company faced many challenges, especially in the exports markets due to tough macro-economic scenarios viz. high inflation, higher interest rates leading to low optimism, rising geo political tensions and regional conflicts etc. Against this backdrop, the Company could make its successful foray into the USA markets backed by consistent focus to expand in new large geographies. The Company continue to receive encouraging product acceptance in terms of wide grade & size ranges, resulting into adding new customers as well as enhancing business with existing customers.
The domestic market opportunity also remains of an extremely high focus and priority for the Company. Given the right policy interventions, continued spending by the Government on infrastructure, energy and other strategic sectors, and the preference accorded to the domestic manufacturing industry, India focus remains integral to overall growth strategy of the Company. As a continuing endeavor, company remained highly focused on Research and Product Development thus successfully rolling out new grades / products in the market.
Major highlights of FY24:
As the company scales up the business gradually, management focus continues to be on penetrating into newer markets, customer acquisition, developing and delivering new, value added and critical products. The Company also has been focusing on strategic tie ups and securing more approvals and accreditations.
Strong focus will also remain on sustainability. The Company has been increasing its share of renewable energy and also reducing carbon emission gradually.
The Authorised Share Capital of the Company as on March 31, 2024 was Rs.565,00,00,000/- (Rupees Five Hundred Sixty Five Crore Only) divided into 55,00,00,000 (Fifty Five Crore) Equity shares of Rs.6/- (Rupees Six Only) each and 23,50,00,000 (Twenty Three Crore Fifty Lakh) Preference Share of Rs.10/- (Rupees Ten Only) each. The issued, subscribed and paid up share capital of the Company stood at Rs.368,95,77,646/- (Rupees Three Hundred Sixty Eight Crore Ninety Five Lakh Seventy Seven Thousand Six Hundred Forty Six only) as at March 31, 2024 comprising of 53,00,89,156 (Fifty Three Crore Eighty Nine Thousand One Hundred Fifty Six) equity shares of Rs.6/- (Rupees Six Only) each fully paid up and 5,09,04,271 (Five Crore Nine Lakh Four Thousand Two Hundred Seventy One) preference shares of Rs.10/- (Rupees Ten Only) each fully paid up. There was no change in the issued, subscribed and paid up share capital during the year under review.
With a view to maintain sufficient funds for working capital and growth of business, your Directors do not recommend any dividend for the financial year ended on March 31, 2024.
In terms of the Regulation 43A of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (the "SEBI Listing Regulations"), the Board of
Directors approved and adopted Dividend Distribution Policy of the Company setting out the parameters and circumstances that will be taken into account by the Board in determining the distribution of dividend to the shareholders and/ or retaining the profits earned by the Company. The Policy is annexed to this Report as ‘Annexure I' and is also available on the Company's website at https://welspunspecialty.com/policy.php.
During the year under review, the Company did not transfer any amount to the general reserve.
The Company does not have subsidiary, associate and joint ventures companies.
The Company's financial statements has been prepared as per Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) prescribed under Section 133 of the Companies Act, 2013 (the "Act") read with the Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) Rules, 2015. As per the Ind AS, Redeemable Preference Share Capital is shown as borrowing in the financial statement. However, as per Sections 2(57), 2(64) and 43 of the Act, the definition of Net Worth includes ‘'paid- up share capital'' i.e. equity share capital and preference share capital. Therefore, for the purpose of calculation of Net Worth, redeemable preference share capital is also considered as a part of the Net Worth.
31.03.2024
31,805
Share Capital
28,849
Capital
1,867
account
3,775
(55,718)
553
11,131
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, and the Articles of Association of the Company, Mr. Vipul Mathur (DIN:07990476), Non-Executive Non-Independent Director, will retire by rotation at the 42nd Annual General Meeting and being eligible, has offered himself for re-appointment. The Board has recommended his re-appointment.
During the year under review, there was no change in the Directors of the Company.
During the year under review, there was no change in the Key Managerial Personnel of the Company.
The Company has received declarations from each Independent Director as per the provisions of Section 149 (7) of the Act and the Regulation 25(8) of the SEBI Listing Regulations, as amended from time to time, confirming he / she meets the criteria of independence as prescribed under Section 149(6) of the Act and Regulation 16 of the SEBI Listing Regulations. There has been no change in the circumstances as on the date of this Report which may affect his / her respective status as an Independent Director.
The Board is of the opinion that the Independent Directors of the Company possess requisite qualifications, experience and expertise and they hold highest standard of integrity.
All the Independent Directors on the Board of the Company are registered with the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, Manesar, Gurgaon as notified by the Central Government under Section 150(1) of the Act. As per the proviso to Rule 6(4) of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014, the Independent Directors of the Company shall undergo online proficiency self-assessment test, as may be applicable, within the time prescribed by the IICA.
The performance evaluation of the Board of Directors, its Committees and of Individual Directors were conducted by the entire Board (excluding
the Director being evaluated) on the basis of a structured questionnaire which was prepared after taking into consideration SEBI's guidance note on board evaluation and inputs received from the Directors, covering various aspects of the Board's functioning viz. adequacy of the composition of the Board and its Committees, time spent by each of the Directors; accomplishment of specific responsibilities and expertise; conflict of interest; integrity of the Director; active participation and contribution during discussions and governance.
For the financial year 2023-24, the annual performance evaluation was carried out by the Independent Directors, the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and the Board, which included evaluation of the Board, Independent Directors, Non-Independent Directors, Executive Directors, Chairman, Committees of the Board, Quantity, Quality and Timeliness of Information to the Board. All the results were satisfactory to the Board.
Five (5) meetings of Board of Directors were held during the financial year 2023-24, the details of which are given in point 2(b) of the "Corporate Governance Report" annexed to this Report as ‘Annexure III'.
Information on the Audit Committee, the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, the Stakeholders' Relationship Committee, the Risk Management Committee, as applicable, and meetings of those committees held during the year under review is given in the "Corporate Governance Report" annexed to this Report as ‘Annexure III'.
There have been no instances where the Board did not accept the recommendations of its committees, including the Audit Committee.
The Independent Directors are paid sitting fees at a fixed rate per meeting of the Board or the Committee attended by them and as such the same can't compare with the remuneration to the employees.
financial year
the percentage increase in remuneration of each Director, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Company Secretary or Manager, if any, in the financial year:
Anuj Burakia
Brijveer Singh
Suhas Pawar
employees in the financial year:
average percentile increase already made in the salaries of employees other than the managerial personnel in the last financial year and its comparison with the percentile increase in the managerial remuneration and justification thereof and point out if there are any exceptional circumstances for increase in the managerial remuneration:
The average increase in remuneration of employees
excluding KMP in last financial year was 11.58%.
The remuneration of the CEO & Whole Time Director and the CFO is decided based on the individual performance as well as performance of the Company, inflation, prevailing industry trends and benchmarks.
policy of the Company.
Company.
The details of employees of the Company drawing remuneration as prescribed under Rule 5(2) of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 is as follows:
No.
Remuneration Drawn During The Year (Rs.)
chanical, MBA
Timken's Mill- Tec business managing 26 mill sites
in HRD
* resigned / discontinued / employed for part of or during the year.
Remuneration policy and criteria for making payment to Non-Executive Directors:
Pursuant to Section 178 (3) of the Act and provisions of SEBI Listing Regulations, the Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC) and the Board of Directors at their respective meetings held on 5th February, 2019 had approved and recommended a revamped policy relating to criteria for determining qualifications, positive attributes and Independence of Directors, the remuneration for the Directors, Key Managerial Personnel and other employees.
For the Company's policy on Directors' appointment and remuneration, including criteria for determining qualifications, positive attributes, independence of a Director and other matters provided under Sub-section 3 of Section 178 of the Act, please refer to the Para of the "Corporate Governance Report" annexed to this Report as ‘Annexure III'.
The Company have not granted stock options during the year under review, the disclosures as required under Regulation 14 of the SEBI (Share Based Employee Benefits And Sweat Equity) Regulations, 2021 and Rule 12(9) of the Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014 are as under:
ESOS, including -
(a) Name of the ESOP Plan
Management Personnel) Scheme 2018
(b) Date of shareholders' approval
(c) Total number of options approved under ESOS
(d) Vesting requirements
The Vesting of ESOPs shall happen at every anniversary of the date of grant in quantum of 35% and 35% of the total ESOPs granted for the first 2 years and 30% of the total ESOPs granted shall vest on completion of 2 years
3 months from the date of grant*
(e) Exercise price or pricing formula
(f) Maximum term of options granted
(g) Source of shares (primary, secondary or combination)
(h) Variation in terms of options
(III) Where the company opts for expensing of the options using the intrinsic value of the options, the difference between the employee compensation cost so computed and the employee compensation cost that shall have been recognized if it had used the fair value of the options shall be disclosed. The impact of this difference on profits and on EPS of the company
shall also be disclosed.
Number of options outstanding at the beginning of the period
Options granted
Options vested
Options exercised
The total number of shares arising as a result of exercise of
option
Options forfeited / lapsed
The exercise price
Money realized by exercise of options
Loan repaid by the Trust during the year from exercise price
received
Number of options outstanding at the end of the year
Number of options exercisable at the end of the year
Employee wise details of options granted to:-
Personnel)
in any one year of option amounting to 5% or more of options granted during that year
company at the time of grant.
may lapse
resignation prior to retirement.
Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) pursuant to issue of shares on exercise of option calculated in accordance with Accounting
Standard (AS) 20 "Earnings Per Share.
Weighted-average exercise prices and weighted-average fair values of options shall be disclosed separately for options whose exercise price either equals or exceeds or is less than
the market price of the stock
A description of the method and significant assumptions used
during the year to estimate the fair values of options, including the following weighted-average information:
a) the weighted average values of share price, exercise price, expected volatility, expected option life, expected dividends,
the risk free interest rate and any other inputs to the model;
b) the method used and the assumptions made to incorporate
the effects of expected early exercise;
c) how expected volatility was determined, including an explanation of the extent to which expected volatility was
based on historical volatility;
d) whether and how any other features of the options granted were incorporated into the measurement of fair value, such as
a market condition.
Disclosure in respect of grants made in three years prior to
IPO under each ESOS
The Company has complied with the applicable accounting
standards.
Certificate from M/s. JMJA & Associates LLP, Company Secretaries, Secretarial Auditors of the Company with respect to the implementation of Welspun Employee Stock Option Scheme would be placed before the Members at the ensuing Annual General Meeting of the Company and a copy of the same shall be available for inspection at the Registered office of the Company.
The Company has not accepted any deposit within the meaning of Chapter V to the Act. Further, no amount on account of principal or interest on deposit was outstanding or unclaimed or unpaid as at the end of the financial year under the Report.
Pursuant to Sections 92 and 134 of the Act read with Rule 12 of the Companies (Management and Administration) Rules, 2014, the Annual Return in form MGT-7 is placed on the website of the Company and can be accessed at https://www.welspunspecialty.com/notice.php.
All transactions entered into by the Company with related parties were in the ordinary course of business and at arm's length basis. The Audit Committee grants an omnibus approval for the transactions that are in the ordinary course of the business and repetitive in nature. For other transactions, the Company obtains specific approval of the Audit Committee before entering into any such transactions. For material related party transaction, the Company obtains prior approval of the Members of the Company. A statement giving details of all Related Party Transactions is placed before the Audit Committee on a quarterly basis for its review. The disclosure of Related Party Transactions as required in terms of Section 134 of the Act read with Rule 8 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 in Form AOC -2 is not applicable for this year.
The Company's policy on Related Party Transactions as approved by the Board is uploaded on the Company's website https://www.welspunspecialty.com/policy.php
Save and except as disclosed in the financial statements, none of the Directors had any pecuniary relationships or transactions vis-?-vis the Company.
Pursuant to Regulation 34 read with Schedule V of the SEBI Listing Regulations, please refer Note no.39 for details of related party transactions.
M/s. Price Waterhouse Chartered Accountants LLP (‘PWCAL'), Chartered Accountants (Firm Registration No. 012754N/N500016) were appointed as the Statutory Auditors of the Company, to hold office for a period of 5
(five) years from the conclusion of 40th Annual General Meeting till the conclusion of 45th Annual General Meeting of the Company, in terms of the provisions of Section 139 of the Act read with the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014.
The Audit Report did not contain any qualifications, reservations, adverse remarks or disclaimers and no fraud was reported by the Statutory Auditors of the Company to the Audit Committee pursuant to Section 143(12) of the Act.
Internal Auditors:
Based on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors appointed M/s. Deloitte Touche Tomastu India LLP as the Internal Auditors of the Company for the financial year 2024-25.
M/s. KPMG Assurance and Consulting Services LLP were appointed as the Internal Auditors of the Company for the financial year 2023-24.The internal audit was completed as per the scope defined by the Audit Committee.
Cost Auditors:
The Company maintains cost records as specified by the Central Government under sub-section (1) of Section 148 of the Act. As per Section 148 of the Act, the Board of Directors have appointed M/s. Kiran J. Mehta & Co, Cost Accountants, (Firm Registration No.000025) as the Cost Auditors for the financial year 2024-25 at a remuneration of Rs.65,000/- p.a. on the recommendations of the Audit Committee.
The Board recommends ratification of the remuneration payable to the Cost Auditors for the year ending on March 31, 2025 by the Members at the ensuing Annual General Meeting.
The Cost Auditors' Report did not contain any qualifications, reservations, adverse remarks or disclaimers and no frauds were reported by the Cost Auditors to the Company pursuant to Section 143(12) of the Act. The Cost Audit Report for the financial year 2022-23 was e-filed on September 29, 2023. The Cost Audit Report for the financial year 2023-24 is in progress and the report will be filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, within the statutory timeline.
Secretarial Auditors:
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 204 of the Act read with the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, M/s. JMJA & Associates LLP, Practicing Company Secretaries,
has been appointed as the Secretarial Auditors of the Company for the financial year 2024-25. The Secretarial Audit Report issued by the Secretarial Auditors for the financial year 2023-24 is annexed herewith as ‘Annexure II' to this Report.
The Secretarial Audit Report does not contain any qualification, reservation or adverse remarks and no frauds were reported by the Secretarial Auditors to the Company under Section 143(12) of the Act., except the reporting on filing of compounding application by the Company with respect to non-filing of cost audit report for the financial year 2018-19, as reproduced herein below and which in the opinion of the Board self-explanatory and does not require further explanation:
"The Company and the CEO& Whole Time Director have paid the compounding fees as per the Order of the Regional Director bearing No. RD(NWR)/441/Sec.148/01/2023-24 for compounding of offence committed under Section 148 of the Companies Act, 2013."
The Company has not made any investment nor given any loan or provide any guarantee / security for repayment of loan under Section 186 of the Act.
The Board has adopted vigil mechanism in the form of Whistle Blower Policy, to deal with instances of fraud or unethical behavior or misconduct etc. For the Company's policy on establishment of Vigil Mechanism for Directors and Employees, please refer to the point no.13 (iii) of the "Corporate Governance Report" annexed to the Directors' Report as ‘Annexure III'.
The details of Whistle Blower Policy and Vigil Mechanism is also available on the Company's website at https://www.welspunspecialty.com/policy.php.
The details of conservation of energy, technology absorption, foreign exchange earnings and outgo required pursuant to the Rule 8(3) of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 are given below.
During year under review, the Company has taken various initiatives to conserve energy and improve technology
being used for production as discussed in detail hereunder. This has helped the Company in its journey on moving up the value chain.
The following are measures taken during the year under review:
energy efficient pumps.
The Company has signed agreement for procurement of hybrid (solar + wind) power supply. In the financial year 2023-24, the Company utilised 24 % Hybrid units against total power consumption.
Energy conservation equipment were added to the production facility during the year under review with approximate cost Rs. 6 Lakhs.
Upgradation of Auto Mould Level Control at caster.
The products and process development are undertaken by the Company internally.
inflows during the year;
FOB Value of exports Rs. 25,724 Lakhs (Previous Year Rs. 15,266 Lakhs).
of actual outflows;
Imports on CIF Basis/expenditure in foreign currency Rs. 11,862 Lakhs (Previous Year Rs. 4,802 Lakhs).
In compliance with Regulation 34 of the SEBI Listing Regulations, a separate report on Corporate Governance is annexed hereto as a part of this Report as ‘Annexure III'. A certificate from the Secretarial Auditors
of the Company regarding compliance of conditions of Corporate Governance as prescribed under the SEBI Listing Regulations is attached to this report as ‘Annexure IV'. Management Discussion and Analysis is separately given in this Report as ‘Annexure VI'.
The Company has provided the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report on voluntary basis which is annexed hereto as ‘Annexure VII'.
Pursuant to Section 134(5) of the Act, your Directors, based on the representations received from the Operating Management, and after due enquiry, hereby confirm that:
The Company has constituted a Risk Management Committee in compliance with the SEBI Listing
Regulations. The details of this Committee and its terms of reference are set out in the Corporate Governance Report.
The Board has approved Risk Management Policy (RMP) to effectively address financial, operational, compliance and strategic risk. A structured enterprise risk management program has been formulated and implemented. The Risk Management Committee was formed and adopted its charter to periodically review the risk management process, risks and mitigation plans and provide appropriate advise in the improvement areas, if any, identified during the review.
Please refer to point C of the Management Discussion and Analysis section attached to this Report for risks and threats relevant to the Company.
The details of familiarization programme conducted for Independent Directors are disclosed on the website of the Company at link: https://www.welspunspecialty.com/policy.php. More than 3 hours were spent by the Independent Directors cumulatively in several familiarization program during the year under review.
The Company has a Code of Conduct for Board members and Senior Management Personnel. A copy of the Code has been put on the website of the Company for information of all the members of the Board and Senior Management Personnel at https://www.welspunspecialty.com/policy.php. Each Director and Senior Management Personnel including all functional heads, to which this code has been made applicable, have affirmed their compliance with the Code. A declaration by Mr. Anuj Burakia, CEO & Whole Time Director, to this effect given in the Corporate Governance Report forms part of this report.
In compliance with the requirements of the Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, the Company has put in place a Policy on Prohibition and Prevention of Sexual harassment of women at the workplace.
The Company has complied with the provisions relating to constitution of Internal Complaint Committee ("ICC") under Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013. The ICC comprises of internal as well as external members.
Disclosure of number of complaints filed, disposed of and pending in relation to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 as on the end of the financial year under Report are as under:
beginning of the financial year
Nil
the financial year
The Company has adequate internal control system, which is commensurate with the size, scale and complexity of its operations. The Company has designed and implemented a process driven framework for Internal Financial Controls ("IFC") within the meaning of the explanation of Section 134(5)(e) of the Act, the SEBI Listing Regulations and other relevant statutes applicable to the Company. The executive management and Internal Auditors continuously monitors the efficiency of the internal controls / compliance, with the objective of providing to the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors, an independent, objective and reasonable assurance of the adequacy and effectiveness of the organization's risk management, control and governance processes. For the year ended March 31, 2024, the Board is of the opinion that the Company has sound IFC commensurate with the nature of its business operations; wherein adequate controls are in place and operating effectively and no material weakness exists. Also refer paragraph under caption "internal control system" in Management Discussion and Analysis forming part of this report.
The Internal Audit is carried by independent external audit firm consisting of qualified accountants, domain & industry experts, fraud risk and information technology specialists.
The Board of Directors affirms that the Directors have
devised proper systems to ensure compliance with the
provisions of all applicable Secretarial Standards issued by the Institute of Companies Secretaries of India and that such systems are adequate and operating effectively. The Company has complied with the applicable Secretarial Standards.
The Company has not made any provision of money for the purchase of, or subscription for, shares of the Company or its holding company, to be held by or for the benefit of the employees of the Company and hence the disclosure as required under Rule 16(4) of Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014 is not required.
During the year under review,
The Company conducts regularly Safety audit through competent authorities for its manufacturing facility located at Jhagadia, Bharuch, Gujarat. The Company also organizes various safety awareness programs to impart safety training to its employees.
Your Directors take this opportunity to express gratitude for valuable assistance and cooperation extended to the Company by financial institutions, banks, statutory and regulatory authorities, customers, suppliers and other agencies engaged with the Company. Your Directors also wish to place on record their sincere appreciation of the dedicated services, hard work, solidarity and profuse support by all the employees of the Company.
For and on behalf of the Board of Directors Balkrishan Goenka Anuj Burakia
Chairman CEO & Whole Time Director
DIN: 00270175 DIN: 02840211
Place: Mumbai Date: April 26, 2024