Asahi posts quarterly loss as input costs rise

New Delhi, May 6 (UNI) Asahi India Glass has posted a loss of Rs 12.06 crore during FY08, compared with a net profit of Rs 8.48 crore a year ago on a consolidated basis.

Its net sales for the quarter rose 15.1 per cent to Rs 265 crore.

The company expects the figures to improve in the current fiscal on more higher-margin products.

The firm, whose clientele includes Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors, has been affected by rising energy and soda ash costs, at a time when cheaper imports have limited product price increases.

''The rising input costs of power and fuel, soda ash continued to have an impact on operations and resultant profitability,'' company Chief Executive Officer Sanjay Labroo said in a statement here.

Mr Labroo said prices of finished goods could improve in 2008-09 on declining imports from China.

''Significant emphasis in FY09 will be on value-added products having better margins,'' he added.

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