RGRAJAN, the Chairman and Managing Director of Rashtriya Chemicals &Fertilizers lays out his plans in this interview with Business Editor Jagdish Rattanani and says the company is working to almost triple its turnover and reach Rs. 15,000 cro
re by 2017.
Q- 1: Tell us about your experiences as head of RCF. Coming as you do from GAIL and PDIL, how has this assignment been so far and what do you think you might like to see as your achievements at RCF over the years.
Ans: It has been a challenging assignment for the last one- and- ahalf years. There have been issues of shortage of gas, nonavailability of imported products, rupee depreciation etc. but with the help of a strong and dedicated work force at RCF, we have been able to meet and overcome all challenges. We have grown from strength to strength and we have increased our profits year after year. I see RCF growing as a world class corporate with a dominant position in Indian markets, ensuring optimal utilisation of resources and taking care of the environment at the same time. Our emphasis will be on fulfilling the long term objective of increasing turnover and profitability of the Company and traversing the path of sustained growth. RCF has developed a definite road map and is actively pursuing specific projects within the country as well as outside. Successful implementation of these projects will ensure significant growth for the Company and also propel the Company to a leading role in shaping the aspirations of the farming community.
Q- 2: As a Mini- Ratna company, where does RCF stand today in terms of capacity and financial numbers ? Ans: RCF is a leading fertilizers and chemicals manufacturing PSE. It has two operating units: one at Trombay in Mumbai and the other at Thal, Raigad Dist., Maharashtra. RCF manufactures urea, complex fertilizers, bio- fertilizers, micronutrients, water soluble fertilizers and a wide range of industrial chemicals, It produces 23 lac MTs urea, 6.5 lac MTs complexes and 1.6 lac MTs of industrial chemicals every year. RCF has a strong marketing network in 20 major states. The Ujjwala and Suphala brands of the Company are well recognised throughout the country and enjoy a high brand equity.
Apart from the own manufactured products, company is also engaged in marketing of imported fertilizer inputs like DAP, MOP & NPK fertilizers. RCF has sold about 41 lakh MT of fertilizers last year. RCF has been consistently achieving best rating of ” excellent” for last eight years. Having accredited with the alt39 Mini Ratnaalt39 status by Government of India, we are now poised to get the alt39 Navaratnaalt39 status. RCF is one of the few PSUs which have been posting profits consistently. During 2010- 11, the company clocked a turnover of Rs. 5,574 crores with a profit of Rs. 245 crores.
Q- 3: You operate in a thickly populated city area right here in Mumbai. How do you address address environmental concerns? ANS: RCF has been operating plants at Trombay and Thal for more than 45 years and 25 years respectively and maintaining the quality of environment throughout these years. This in itself demonstrates the companys commitment towards environment and concern about the neighborhood.
Over the years, RCF has spent significant amounts in various pollution abatement and environment improvement schemes, apart from upgrading the plants with latest available technology. RCF has undertaken a massive drive for tree plantation under the ” Chembur Green Project”. A CDM ( Clean Development Mechanism) project for N2O ( greenhouse gas) abatement at Trombay has been completed which has the potential of generating one million CERs ( Carbon Emission Reductions) per annum. The Company has also implemented several other initiatives to convert waste to wealth such as conversion of phospho- gypsum to load bearing wall panels & plaster and recovery of process water from sewage. For complete transparency in dissemination of environment related data & information, real time emission levels are displayed at factory entra
