GCPL Q3 sales record Rs 238 cr, net up 11 pc

New Delhi, Jan 22: FMCG player Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), with a presence in the soap and personal care segment, today reported sales of Rs 238 crore, higher by 29 per cent from Rs 184.1 crore during the three months ended December 31, 2006.

The profit after tax (PAT) during Q3FY07 rose by 11 per cent to Rs 39.6 crore from Rs 35.8 crore in Q3FY06.

The Board of Directors recommended a 100 per cent third interim dividend during the October-December quarter of the current fiscal, a statement said.

GCPL posted a 25 per cent growth in sale of toilet soaps in value terms during the quarter under review. Sales during the nine months ended December 2006, increased by 39 per cent to Rs 707 crore from Rs 508.2 crore.

Capital employed was higher by 81 per cent at Rs 310.5 crore during Q3FY07.

Mr Adi Godrej, Chairman and Managing Director, GCPL, said, ''All our soap brands continue to enjoy healthy sales growth. The recent price increase in Powder Hair Dye sachets should enable stronger growth from our hair colour category. Our international operations are also gaining momentum.'' Last month, responding to strong demand growth GPCL increased the price of its Powder Hair Dye sachet by Re 1 to Rs 9.

The company commenced one line of commercial production at its new factory at Katha in Himachal Pradesh for toilet soaps during the said quarter.

This line has the capacity to produce 15,000 tonnes of soap per annum.

Net profit during the first nine months of the fiscal grew by 15 per cent from Rs 90.7 crore to Rs 104.7 crore.

GCPL holds a 9.2 per cent market share at the end of the quarter in the toilet soaps category. Sales in the personal care segment improved by 34 per cent on a consolidated and by 8 per cent on a stand alone basis over the corresponding quarter under review.

Its hair colorant business grew 50 per cent on a consolidated and by 15 per cent stand alone basis over the corresponding previous quarter in value terms. Its market share in the segment was at 38 per cent in Q3FY07.

UNI