Amara Raja Batteries Ltd. (ARBL) has reported net sales, excluding other income, of Rs. 2,552 crores for the nine months ended 
December 31, 2013 (Rs. 2,160 crores), an 18 per cent growth, and profit before tax of Rs. 416 crores (Rs. 330 crores), a 26 per cent growth.
The automotive battery business reported double-digit growth in revenue, aided by strong volume expansion in two-wheeler batteries and marginal volume growth in four-wheeler batteries. While OEM demand continued to be sluggish, an early sign of demand slowdown in four-wheeler replacement was visible in the third quarter. The trading volume in home UPS business suffered due to unfavorable season. The ongoing capacity expansion in the two-wheeler and four-wheeler battery product lines is progressing as scheduled.
The company has commissioned on January 22 the modern and fully-integrated MVRLA battery plant at a new location in Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh. The new plant was inaugurated by Mr. Brian Kesseler, President – Power Solutions, Johnson Controls Inc., in the presence of Dr. Ramachandra N. Galla, ARBL Chairman, and Mr. Jayadev Galla, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, other directors on the board and the leadership team of the company. Trial runs and product validation processes are under way, and the plant is expected to commence supplies in full scale from March to support the growth momentum.
Commenting on the Q3 performance, Mr. Jayadev Galla said: “It’s heartening to deliver a consistent good performance despite a challenging economy, volatile rupee and sluggish demand in the automotive OEM and UPS sectors. However, an early sign of slowdown in growth rate of four-wheeler automotive replacement demand requires close watch and innovative approach to sustain double-digit volume growth. The successful completion of MVRLA capacity expansion and other ongoing capacity expansions in various product lines will provide enough momentum to the growth in line with our strategic plan for the five years period leading to FY19”.