Cemindia Projects Limited

FY2026 Q3

2026-02-05 Transcript PDF
Moderator

Thank you very much. We will now begin the question-and-answer session. The first question is from the line of Dhananjay Mishra from Sunidhi Securities. Please go ahead.

Sunidhi Securities

Thank you for the opportunity. Am I audible?

Jayanta Basu

Yes.

Sunidhi Securities

So just wanted to know as you said that a lot of projects got completed in this current quarter and we have seen very strong margin expansion. So I guess this is kind of one-off because we got a lot of orders completed or is it going to be kind of double-digit margin sustainable for the upcoming quarter as well?

Jayanta Basu

Yes. I think that is very difficult. We definitely have double-digit margin, which is expected next quarter or going forward, yes. And that is consistent we are doing. If you see last quarter also, it was double-digit margin. I'm talking about EBITDA. This quarter also a little bit more than last quarter. So, yes that was good.

Sunidhi Securities

One quarter improvement is something, I mean, on higher side. And despite this new Labour Codes provision of INR15 crores. And so that is the one. And can you give some road map about order inflows pipeline for next 3 to 6 months, whether these orders will come from group or outside private and government and which sectors you are expecting order for 6 to 9 basis at least?

Jayanta Basu

Yes, I mean, -- okay. So far, we have INR9,000-odd crores jobs till now. And there are jobs which we have submitted our bid, and we are waiting for the results like Vadhvan Port, the Metro jobs at Delhi, and one port job in Odisha. So there are plenty of jobs from the group, including data center. So I think tenders submitted, but yet to open is close to INR20,000 crores, And further INR30,000 crores to INR40,000 crores. So that is the kind of future job For coming quarter, this quarter we may secure new jobs from the group, which are all under discussion. So road map- wise, if you see that, we still maintain that another INR2,000 crores, INR3,000 crores jobs can be secured this year, which is February and March. And Q4 or Q1, Q2 next year, there are some big-ticket jobs. It depends upon when government opens the tender or what is the timing. So if it happens, then there are very quite big-ticket jobs, which will change the whole scenario.

Sunidhi Securities

And lastly, on guidance front, because of this Q3 soft revenue, as you said, the deferment happened in Vadhvan Port order. So what is the status over there? And are we still maintaining INR11,000 crores mark or maybe INR10,000 crores, INR11,000 crores mark? For that, we have to achieve INR4,600 crores kind of turnover in Q4. So what is your view?

Jayanta Basu

See, it is not very sure how Vadhvan will take place, because it's totally not in our control. And but at the same time, the Pune Metro should start producing something and that project at Ruwais, that are now producing something. So I think that it will be at least 15% to 20% more than this quarter, roughly.

Jayanta Basu

The current quarter, yes.

Jayanta Basu

Yes, yes. Estimate, yes.

Jayanta Basu

Thank you.

Moderator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Niraj Mansingka from White Pine Investment Management. Please go ahead.

White Pine Investment Management

Sir, thank you for the opportunity. I just wanted to understand about the data center. Adani has a plan of data center on its own, as well as a joint venture with global scaler, hyperscalers. One, I want to understand how much are you ready to in capability to take those orders? And number two, what is your visibility on the orders of those coming in and the execution of those?

Jayanta Basu

Yes. This data center is under discussion for the last at least 7, 8 months since Adani has taking over this company. And we have ramped up our capabilities during the last few months. We have recruited several engineers, those who are experienced in data centers. We have visited a lot of sites all over the world to see how this happens, what is the method, what is the notions in this business? And we have already started 2 data center building in Mumbai and foundation work is already completed. Precasting work also half done. So we are in readiness to take up this activity. Visibility that Adani has got a big plan. And even if we do half of that, that will be quite big for our company.

White Pine Investment Management

Got it. And any potential -- if any thought process on how much is your -- opportunity size for you on the data maybe on a per megawatt basis? It will help me understand how much you are present in the data center?

Jayanta Basu

Per megawatt, you're asking about the cost?

Jayanta Basu

See, a data center of 120 megawatts, 130 megawatts, typically, it's a 2-year cycle from beginning to the commissioning, 2 years to 27 months. So we have already secured 2 data centers of similar capacity. We may have another 2 or 3. Each year, we can do around 500 megawatts roughly with the present capacity.

White Pine Investment Management

This year means FY March ending '26?

Jayanta Basu

Yes. It depends upon the secured -- if you secure the job. Now what happens when you secure the job, there are two parts. First part is the civil, second part is the balance. So civil part is hardly 20%. So you may not see that ramp-up in revenue in the first year. But second year, definitely with the electromechanical part, balance 70% or 80% revenue will come. So you have to factor all these numbers when you calculate the revenue from data centers.

White Pine Investment Management

And, sir, how much -- if you take example of, say, 120 megawatt, how much would that -- if you get an order of 120 megawatt, how much revenue could you book -- order can you book on that side, as a potential range?

Jayanta Basu

See, you are asking a direct question, what will be the price of 120 megawatts. It's very difficult to answer because it depends upon the conditions, depending upon where is bidding, what are the terms and conditions of the project if something is supplied free. But what I can say is that 120-megawatt time line may take 2 to 27 months' time, and first year, 20% revenue, next year, 80% revenue. These are the guidelines you can take.

White Pine Investment Management

Okay. I will come back to the queue. Thank you.

Moderator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Vaibhav Shah from JM Financial. Please go ahead.

JM Financial

Yes. Can you provide some clarity on the Bangladesh order status right now?

Jayanta Basu

Bangladesh work is going on absolutely okay. I mean, there are natural reasons why everybody should get scared. I know that. But local government is really supportive to us. Not only us, to any foreign companies those who are working there. And our people are quite okay. We are delivering the job as per our schedule. We're getting paid on time. And we are almost completing the piling job by end of May. So then our majority of the work will be completed.

JM Financial

What is the outstanding book as of December in the Bangladesh order?

Jayanta Basu

Outstanding, I have to check up. Give us some time.

JM Financial

Okay. Sir, secondly, when do we target to complete the Bangladesh order, in FY '27?

Jayanta Basu

Bangladesh order will be completed see, physical work will be completed before next monsoon, that is May or June next year.

Jayanta Basu

Yes, you are absolutely right.

JM Financial

Okay, okay. And sir, how do you see the margins going ahead? So it should be double-digit, right, between 10% to 11%?

Jayanta Basu

I think you don't expect too much of a hike, but the same margin pattern will be there, 10% to 11%.

JM Financial

Okay. Sir, lastly, one bookkeeping question. What would be our gross debt as of December?

Jayanta Basu

It's close to INR920 crores. Gross debt.

JM Financial

Okay, okay. Thank you, sir. Those are my questions.

Moderator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Vinay Choudhary from Invexa Capital. Please go ahead.

Invexa Capital

Yes. So in the last quarter we had basically the inflow of about INR7,100 and we had a couple of L1s like Pune metro and sewage plant of about INR3,000-odd crores. So what is the status of those L1s and because that also totalled up to about INR11,000 crores plus. And currently also we are about INR11,000 crores including the two projects what you mentioned. So just wanted to have some clarity and fill the gaps in that?

Jayanta Basu

I will not be able to connect last year -- last quarter, but I can tell you the present status.

Jayanta Basu

So far, I think we have got around total INR11,700 crores. And that includes Pune metro of INR1,500 crores as well. And there are no such job where we are L1, except a small job in Seabird, INR500 crores but there are plenty of jobs we have submitted our bids. So it depends upon how it comes out. I think we have submitted a bid of around INR25,000 crores total. Out of that, one job we have already secured or L1 that is that group company called Adani Mor Sagar project at Rajasthan, which is around INR6,500 crores job. So that will be added to the kitty very soon.

Invexa Capital

Sure. So about INR15,000-odd crores what we were expecting. So is there any upward revision what we are expecting in this year?

Jayanta Basu

So I still maintain around INR14,000 crores, INR15,000 crores because what has happened few of the government tenders, which we were expecting to have already completed is still getting delayed. And as well some group jobs are also getting a little delayed. It's a matter of time. Otherwise, we would have achieved INR15,000 crores this year.

Jayanta Basu

No, it is not lost. It will come next year. It's a matter of time lag. That's all. I mean, if you get, you'll get now you can get later on also. So that is the issue whichever you get or do not get. But if you get now, if you get later on that is not going to affect much in our progress -- financial progress.

Moderator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Aditya Sahu from HDFC Securities. Please go ahead.

Moderator

Yes, sir.

HDFC Securities

I do have a few questions. I think this may be a bit repetitive. I got disconnected in between. So, what would be the revenue guidance for FY '26, the revenue, EBITDA margin, and the order inflow guidance?

Jayanta Basu

Well, I think for -- to answer your question this is a big issue because we spend month after month to evaluate how much is the revenue and all. So it is not appropriate for me to give you a correct number. But as I have maintained it will be around 15% to 20% rise in the revenue and EBITDA margin.

HDFC Securities

And on the EBITDA margin, 10%, 11% is what I could gather?

Jayanta Basu

Yes.

HDFC Securities

On the order inflow front, you have mentioned INR15,000 crores. I hope that would be the correct number?

Jayanta Basu

Yes. I think -- see, there are a few jobs which are quite big. And if we are lucky to close one of them, the number can be anything. I mean, it can be INR10,000 crores, INR12,000 crores to INR20,000 crores, INR25,000 crores as well.

HDFC Securities

Understood. Of this, how much are we expecting from group entities and what percentage are you expecting from group entities?

Jayanta Basu

Yes, I think we'll maintain a number of 20% to 25% from group in that range.

HDFC Securities

Okay. 20%, 25% from group entities. And what would be the current bid pipeline that we have and how much of that is also from the group entities, if you can throw some light on that?

Jayanta Basu

Current work pipeline, a few data center jobs from the group, which they are developing in many places. And some job as I mentioned just now, Mor Sagar one irrigation job in Rajasthan and maybe some road jobs if they got -- if they get.

Jayanta Basu

Value terms whatever I have said. Going forward, I don't know. But immediately, maybe around INR10,000 crores to INR12,000 crores job may come to us.

HDFC Securities

In terms of the capex, so I understand that we did a capex of about -- I think last time the guidance was INR300 crores for FY '26. Is that the same capex guidance that we have right now and how much have we deployed till now?

Jayanta Basu

See, it depends upon again, which job we go on. Because last year we have secured many building jobs and we have to invest a lot for more material. Though it is not as costly as plant and tooling equipment, but still it is costly because nowadays everybody go for system forward. So there we have faced a lot and a few general plants we have procured. So this year also will be around what we spent last year, INR300 crores, this will be 10%, 15% more than last year.

Jayanta Basu

In 9 months, we have spent around INR200-odd crores towards the capex.

HDFC Securities

Understood. And in the current order book that we have of INR21,000 crores, how much of that is from the group entities as of now?

Jayanta Basu

27%.

HDFC Securities

27%. On the Vadhavan Port that you had mentioned that 30 days in that sense. Any visibility as to when do you see that happening? And also, how much -- what would be the contribution of that particular order in the overall order book?

Jayanta Basu

It is INR1,600 crores, out of INR21,000 crores work in hand.

Nitesh Sharma

Less than 10%.

Jayanta Basu

And we have got visibility. We cannot speculate what may happen. It is not in our control.

HDFC Securities

Understood, sir. Thank you so much, sir.

Moderator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Jayesh Shah from OHM Portfolio. Please go ahead.

OHM Portfolio

Hello, sir. Thank you for the opportunity. My question again relates to the Vadhavan Port delays that you talked about in this quarter where apparently, we have seen a revenue loss, but your margins are actually better. So how should we think about it because if your revenue loss is due to work not being done, then that means that you have not been able to deploy your people or equipment and you have -- resulted back into revenue loss. Then is there also corresponding expenses that should have come in or does it mean that the rest of the business was at much higher margins? That's my first question?

Jayanta Basu

Well, revenue loss because work hasn't happened, so there is a direct -- you can see that. I think I'm sure another INR200 crores, INR300 crores revenue would have been more had this Vadhavan Port been in operation and regarding margins betterment, we have done good. We have efficiently handled the project and that is how this margin is better.

OHM Portfolio

No, so do we understand that INR200 crores to INR300 crores revenue loss is the unbilled item, in which case the expenses are also booked. So perhaps your margins are better than what you have reported?

Jayanta Basu

Well, actually, definitely, we have not spent INR200 crores of expenses in Vadhvan Port. We are very cautious. We have very small and scanty set up at site, because expenses are mostly due to the material what we've sourced and what we've done, and which converts to revenue.

OHM Portfolio

But you were able to redeploy your people to other projects?

Jayanta Basu

So in Vadhvan Port, hardly 2 or 3 engineers are there. That's all.

OHM Portfolio

I see. But even the redeployment of people did not yield to higher revenue from -- on an overall basis, is it?

Jayanta Basu

I couldn't get you, sir. What is your point?

OHM Portfolio

I said that if you could not proceed with the Vadhvan Port order and there was some loss of materials and whatever, but you were able to redeploy your team, that team should have helped you to recover that revenue from other projects. Or were they idle for the quarter?

Jayanta Basu

Yes. I mean, see, in a large company like ours, 5, 6 engineers here and there doesn't make much difference. So even if we have a team at Vadhvan working somewhere else, doesn't mean that they are generating extra revenue because the position is fixed.

OHM Portfolio

I see. And next quarter, you are able to figure out as to where to redeploy and recover the turnover lost, is it? In this quarter, basically.

Jayanta Basu

We want to redeploy tomorrow, provided the situation is stable.

OHM Portfolio

No, no. I'm saying that your Vadhvan is delayed, but you are able to redeploy your team elsewhere, and that is where you are expecting your revenue to be 15% higher over the quarter?

Jayanta Basu

Not because of Vadhvan resources deployed somewhere will give us better. It is because of time cycle. When a project starts, the initial 5, 6 months, you do at less progress and then the progress increases, per month turnover is more. So all these factors, if you put together, then you'll find that the revenue is a little bit more than this quarter.

OHM Portfolio

Understood, understood. Best wishes for that. And my last question is, when do we see a meaningful scale up in your quarterly revenue run rate? I'm not asking for specific guidance, but given that your order book is very large, perhaps you are capable of growing at least, say, 20%, 30% from your current base now. Of course, this is dependent on how your projects scale up and the milestone. Is that something that is going to happen in the next few quarters? Or will it still take time?

Jayanta Basu

Well, it depends upon the orders, the nature of order, how fast they are converted to revenue. But if you ask me, as a company, we have got the capacity to ramp up the progress by 30% with our existing resources.

OHM Portfolio

Right. But based on your current orders and the milestone and the promise for execution, do you see a significant ramp up in the coming quarters?

Jayanta Basu

I mean, quarter 4 is okay. Quarter 1, quarter 2, yes, that will be better than quarter 3, quarter 4, definitely better. Because few jobs like Pune Metro will be in full swing, like Abu Dhabi Port will be in full swing, like some more jobs which we have secured recently, data centers will give more revenue. So this INR11,000 crores order what we have secured, they are now in threshold stage, initial stage. So they will be giving the revenue from next year, quarter 1, quarter 2.

OHM Portfolio

Okay. Thank you very much. That’s all. Best wishes.

Moderator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Vaibhav Shah from JM Financial. Please go ahead.

JM Financial

Yes, thanks for the follow-up. Sir, what would be our revenue growth guidance for FY '26 given the weaker Q3?

Jayanta Basu

18%.

JM Financial

Sir, but to achieve that 18%, the asking rate would be much higher in the fourth quarter. So we are confident of around INR3,700 crores, INR3,800-odd crores revenue in Q4?

Jayanta Basu

No, I'm not talking about Q4. I'm talking about next year.

Jayanta Basu

Entire FY '27.

Jayanta Basu

It will be around 16% to 20% growth in next year in terms of revenue. That's what I'll say.

Jayanta Basu

FY '26, we are left with one quarter now. And maybe we have achieved INR2,300 crores. Maybe another -- it will be another 15%, 20% more say per quarter.

Jayanta Basu

Compared to Q3 for Q4, yes.

JM Financial

Okay, okay. And sir, what would be our outstanding receivables from Bangladesh? It was around INR120 crores last quarter.

Moderator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Aditya Sahu from HDFC Securities. Please go ahead.

HDFC Securities

Hi, sir. Thanks a lot for taking my question again. Just one bookkeeping question over here. I did notice that the numbers -- so for example, historical numbers for, say, Q2 of the FY '25, for that matter, were marginally different. If you can elaborate a little bit because I see that the numbers that are there for Q2 in the Q2 disclosures versus the numbers that are there for Q2 in the current disclosures of the date. Those are marginally different. Can you elaborate on that one?

Jayanta Basu

I really couldn't pick up your question. If you can repeat once again.

HDFC Securities

Right. So sir, I was mentioning that the historical numbers, say, for example, for Q2 is marginally different from the disclosure that as compared to today's disclosure versus the Q2 disclosure that we had. Similarly, I saw this one for the FY '25 audited numbers. If you can throw some light on that one?

Nitesh Sharma

Yes, yes. So there's an accounting representation change, which has the jointly controlled operations, which we were doing in various JVs. So the grossing up of net line items have been done. And accordingly, for this entire year, the numbers have been reinstated in the line item wise. However, the profit number and the P&L will not change. The profit and loss remains the same. And that's an accounting treatment which has happened, which has led to a change in the numbers which were disclosed earlier.

HDFC Securities

Understood, sir. The reason because I saw this on the audited numbers also. So that is the reason, yes.

Nitesh Sharma

So it's more of like we have benchmarked it with the best of the industry practices, and we took a view and then this is a judicial decision which was taken to...

HDFC Securities

Understood, sir. So this was a onetime exercise, is what you're saying, in terms of the grossing of net line items, as you mentioned?

Nitesh Sharma

Right, right, right. Absolutely.

HDFC Securities

Okay, okay. Thank you so much, sir. Thank you.

Moderator

Thank you. As that was the last question for the day, I would now hand the conference over to the management for closing comments. Over to you, sir.

Nitesh Sharma

So, thank you so much. Thank you so much for joining and attending this call, and we wish you all a very happy and good day, and we wish that whatever we expect, the things go well and the next period performance would be in line with the expectations which we have told to the investors. Thank you so much. Thank you so much for joining us.

Moderator

Thank you. On behalf of ICICI Securities Limited, that concludes this conference. Thank you for joining us, and you may now disconnect. Thank you.