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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Erratic weather hurting Indian companies in biggest consumer market
By Harshita Swaminathan and Satviki Sanjay Some of India's largest companies, already hit by a demand slump, are facing a new threat in wooing the country's 1.4 billion consumers: unpredictable weather. A cooler-than-usual summer this year — followed by the earliest onset of rain since 2009 — has hurt companies selling everything from talcum powder to air conditioners. Blue Star Ltd., one of the largest AC sellers in the country, had to cut production by as much as 25 per cent between April and June, as it saw fewer buyers. It also delayed imports of compressors, a key input, and extended credit to some dealerships saddled with unsold inventories. Rivals Havells Ltd. and Tata-owned Voltas Ltd. also flagged a sales slowdown. A four-fold jump in frequency, unpredictability and intensity of extreme weather events in India over the past four decades has made planning and preparedness more demanding for companies. From Hindustan Unilever Ltd. to food delivery app Zomato-owner Eternal Ltd. to engineering giant Larsen & Tourbro Ltd., it's affecting everything from sales to labor and supply chain management in the world's biggest consumer market. India's situation as one of the most affected nations by climate change provides a glimpse of what's in store for other major economies as environmental change accelerates. As record-breaking temperatures, rains and other extreme weather occur worldwide, companies are likely to be left scrambling to predict and plan for the future. Earnings calls On earnings calls over the last six months, top management and equity analysts discussed 'delayed summer' and 'delayed winter' the most in five years, according to transcripts analyzed by Bloomberg News. 'This quarter is slightly challenging as far as the summer portfolio is concerned,' Mohan Goenka, vice chairman of Emami Ltd., whose products include talc powder, told investors on an earnings call last month. The company will try to make up for the setback through its other segments, he added. Varun Beverages Ltd., which bottles Pepsi in India, had said in April that it was ramping up production for the summer, expecting higher demand. Instead, unseasonal rains likely hurt performance at the beverage maker, according to analysts at Jefferies. The brokerage also flagged weaker demand at Dabur Ltd., which sells fruit juices, and Tata Consumer Products Ltd., which sells cold drinks. Time-sensitive summer demand, 'once missed, is difficult to recover,' analysts at Nuvama, led by Abneesh Roy, said in a note to clients. Labour shortage Rising incidence of heat waves, for example, was among factors causing a shortage of labor at Larsen, even as it split shifts between early morning and late afternoon. Eternal, which operates Zomato and Blinkit, said it faces a seasonal shortage of delivery workers in the summer. India experienced extreme weather events on 88 per cent of days in 2024 in one or more parts of the country, according to a database maintained by Centre for Science and Environment and Down To Earth. Between 1993 and 2022, the South Asian nation lost about $180 billion to severe heat and rains, the Climate Risk Index 2025 report said. Weather forecasting in India has been plagued by outdated technology and modeling systems that make it difficult to get accurate data. To bridge this gap, the country launched a new weather model last month to improve its forecasting by doubling the level of detail previously possible. Intended to improve farming and flood management, the model could also help companies as they seek better and more granular data. 'Businesses, while they were aware of the financial impact of weather, simply did not have enough reliable data that could be potentially put to use,' said Samuel John, co-founder and CEO of forecasting firm mistEO. Forecasting boom Things have changed in the half-decade since Covid, and weather forecasting has gone mainstream, John added. Outside of the farm sector, companies from industries such as consumption, quick commerce, logistics, and construction are increasingly approaching Skymet Weather Services Pvt., its chief executive officer Yogesh Patil said. These newer clients, who seek structured, calendar-linked forecasting dashboards, now make up about half of the Reliance Industries Ltd. unit's revenue. As companies navigate the new normal of erratic weather, planning and diversification are key. Blue Star's management is confident of recovering a large portion of the lost sales through the rest of the year, by working with more corporate clients where demand largely remains stable. But climate mitigation is becoming an important subject to Thiagarajan, who has worked in air conditioning for four decades. 'Predictability is dropping year after year,' he said. 'You can only be prepared for the worst.'
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Erratic weather is hurting Indian firms in the biggest consumer market
India experienced extreme weather events on 88% of days in 2024 in one or more parts of the country, according to a database maintained by Centre for Science and Environment and Down To Earth. Indian companies, already facing a demand slump, are now grappling with unpredictable weather patterns. Unseasonal rains and cooler summers have impacted sales for major players in sectors like air conditioning and beverages, forcing production cuts and inventory adjustments. Businesses are increasingly turning to advanced weather forecasting to mitigate risks and adapt to the growing challenges posed by climate change. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Some of India's largest companies, already hit by a demand slump, are facing a new threat in wooing the country's 1.4 billion consumers: unpredictable weather.A cooler-than-usual summer this year — followed by the earliest onset of rain since 2009 — has hurt companies selling everything from talcum powder to air conditioners. Blue Star Ltd. , one of the largest AC sellers in the country, had to cut production by as much as 25% between April and June, as it saw fewer buyers. It also delayed imports of compressors, a key input, and extended credit to some dealerships saddled with unsold inventories. Rivals Havells Ltd. and Tata-owned Voltas Ltd. also flagged a sales slowdown.'It's like a wedding was to happen, but the wedding has now been canceled,' said B Thiagarajan, managing director at Blue Star, adding that it was a 'painful' time.A four-fold jump in frequency, unpredictability and intensity of extreme weather events in India over the past four decades has made planning and preparedness more demanding for companies. From Hindustan Unilever Ltd. to food delivery app Zomato-owner Eternal Ltd. to engineering giant Larsen & Tourbro Ltd., it's affecting everything from sales to labor and supply chain management in the world's biggest consumer situation as one of the most affected nations by climate change provides a glimpse of what's in store for other major economies as environmental change accelerates. As record-breaking temperatures, rains and other extreme weather occur worldwide, companies are likely to be left scrambling to predict and plan for the earnings calls over the last six months, top management and equity analysts discussed 'delayed summer' and 'delayed winter' the most in five years, according to transcripts analyzed by Bloomberg News.'This quarter is slightly challenging as far as the summer portfolio is concerned,' Mohan Goenka, vice chairman of Emami Ltd., whose products include talc powder, told investors on an earnings call last month. The company will try to make up for the setback through its other segments, he added. Varun Beverages Ltd. , which bottles Pepsi in India, had said in April that it was ramping up production for the summer, expecting higher demand. Instead, unseasonal rains likely hurt performance at the beverage maker, according to analysts at brokerage also flagged weaker demand at Dabur Ltd. , which sells fruit juices, and Tata Consumer Products Ltd. , which sells cold summer demand, 'once missed, is difficult to recover,' analysts at Nuvama, led by Abneesh Roy, said in a note to incidence of heat waves, for example, was among factors causing a shortage of labor at Larsen, even as it split shifts between early morning and late afternoon. Eternal, which operates Zomato and Blinkit, said it faces a seasonal shortage of delivery workers in the Unilever, which sells skincare brands including Ponds and Vaseline, said it saw muted performance in the December quarter partly due to a delayed experienced extreme weather events on 88% of days in 2024 in one or more parts of the country, according to a database maintained by Centre for Science and Environment and Down To Earth. Between 1993 and 2022, the South Asian nation lost about $180 billion to severe heat and rains, the Climate Risk Index 2025 report forecasting in India has been plagued by outdated technology and modeling systems that make it difficult to get accurate bridge this gap, the country launched a new weather model last month to improve its forecasting by doubling the level of detail previously possible. Intended to improve farming and flood management, the model could also help companies as they seek better and more granular data.'Businesses, while they were aware of the financial impact of weather, simply did not have enough reliable data that could be potentially put to use,' said Samuel John, co-founder and CEO of forecasting firm have changed in the half-decade since Covid, and weather forecasting has gone mainstream, John of the farm sector, companies from industries such as consumption, quick commerce, logistics, and construction are increasingly approaching Skymet Weather Services Pvt., its chief executive officer Yogesh Patil said. These newer clients, who seek structured, calendar-linked forecasting dashboards, now make up about half of the Reliance Industries Ltd. unit's has also set up over 750 of its own weather stations across 60 cities to collect detailed companies navigate the new normal of erratic weather, planning and diversification are Star's management is confident of recovering a large portion of the lost sales through the rest of the year, by working with more corporate clients where demand largely remains stable. But climate mitigation is becoming an important subject to Thiagarajan, who has worked in air conditioning for four decades.'Predictability is dropping year after year,' he said. 'You can only be prepared for the worst.'
Indian Express
3 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Crashed Air India plane had ‘clean history', pilots were ‘exceptional': Tata Sons Chairman
Tata Sons and Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran on Wednesday said that the airline's Boeing 787-8 aircraft that crashed moments after takeoff in Ahmedabad on June 12 had a clean history, and the pilots flying it were 'exceptional'. In an interview with Times Now, Chandrasekaran said that it would be best to wait for the investigation to conclude, and not jump to any conclusion on what might have led to the crash, the worst aviation disaster involving an Indian carrier in at least four decades. The Tata Sons chairman also said that he deeply regrets that the accident happened in a Tata airline, and felt 'very sorry'. 'There are a lot of speculations and a lot of theories. But the fact that I know so far is this particular aircraft, this specific tail…has a clean history. As for the engines, the right engine was a new engine put in March 2025. The left engine was last serviced in 2023 and due for its next maintenance check in December 2025. Both engine histories are clean,' Chandrasekaran said. 'Both pilots were exceptional. Captain Sabharwal had more than 11,500 hours of flying experience, the first officer Clive had more than 3,400 hours of flying experience. What I hear from colleagues is that they were excellent pilots and great professionals. So, we can't jump to any conclusions…I am told by all the experts that the black box and recorders will definitely tell the story. So, we just have to wait for that,' he added. An Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft, operating flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed moments after take-off on June 12. The ill-fated aircraft had 242 people on board, but only one survived the accident. There were several casualties on the ground as well. The crash is being investigated by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Chandrasekhar said that he also met with senior officials of Boeing and engine manufacturer GE after the tragedy. He said: 'So I did connect with both Boeing and GE at the highest levels. Parallel to the DGCA checks that we have gone through, I have asked them to check and tell us if there have been issues with any of the aircraft or engines.' In response to a question on what was his message to the families of those who perished in the crash, Chandradekaran said: 'It is an extremely difficult situation where I have no words to express to console anyone of them (kin of victims). I just deeply regret that this whole accident happened in a Tata-owned airline. And I feel very sorry, and all we can do is to be with them at this time, grieve with them and we do everything we can to support them at this hour and beyond'. He said that the Tata group is examining the possibility of establishing a trust to support the families of the crash victims. 'There are structures we want to put in place. One of the things that we have been thinking about is to create a… say for example, a 171 trust, and then which will be available to them to look after. But there are many things, it's not only the financial need,' he said. The Tatas have already announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the kin of people who died in the crash. 'There may be other needs. So, we have got to think through and then create the trust and other functioning infrastructure so that we can be with these families. Some will not need any help. Some will need some kind of help. Some will need emotional help. We don't know. We have to find this out,' he added.\ Chandrasekaran also said that none of the 33 Boeing 787 Dreamliners that are part of Air India's fleet are serviced by Turkish Technic, amid questions being raised about any Turkish link to the aircraft that crashed. 'None of them are maintained by Turkish Technic. Most of them are maintained by AIESL (AI Engineering Services Limited) or SIA Engineering Company (whose parent organisation is Singapore Airlines),' he said.
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
DGCA gives clean chit to Boeing 787 fleet, flags maintenance concerns at Air India
Air India crash: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has found no major safety concerns in its recent surveillance of Air India's Boeing 787 fleet, with all 24 aircraft passing enhanced safety checks and meeting current standards. The review, which focused on Air India's wide-body operations, came amid rising flight volumes. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday said surveillance conducted on Air India 's Boeing 787 fleet did not reveal any major safety concerns, days after one of its jets crashed, killing at least 271 aircraft and their associated maintenance systems were deemed compliant with existing safety standards, DGCA said in a regulator, in a meeting with senior officials of Air India, raised concerns about recent maintenance-related issues reported by the DGCA also said 24 of Air India's 33 Boeing 787 aircraft had completed an "enhanced safety inspection" it had ordered the airline to carry DGCA's review also included an analysis of recent operational data, with a focus on Air India's wide-body operations, particularly the Boeing 787 advised the Tata-owned airline to strengthen internal coordination across its engineering, operations, and ground handling units, and to ensure the adequate availability of spare parts to reduce passenger India has cancelled 66 flights to be operated with Boeing 787 between June 12 and June 17, the civil aviation regulator statements come days after a London-bound Air India flight crashed within a minute of take-off from Ahmedabad. All but one passenger on board was killed, along with about 30 people on the ground and DNA testing continues to identify victims before the bodies are handed to over to their families.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
DGCA gives clean chit to Air India's Boeing 787 fleet, says no major safety concerns found
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday said surveillance conducted on Air India's Boeing 787 fleet did not reveal any major safety concerns, days after one of its jets crashed, killing at least 271 people. The aircraft and their associated maintenance systems were deemed compliant with existing safety standards, DGCA said in a statement. A total of 24 aircraft from the fleet successfully completed the required checks under the enhanced safety inspection. The DGCA's review also included an analysis of recent operational data, with a focus on Air India's wide-body operations, particularly the Boeing 787 aircraft. Although the civil aviation regulator did raise concerns over recent maintenance-related issues at Air India. It advised the Tata-owned airline to strengthen internal coordination across its engineering, operations, and ground handling units, and to ensure the adequate availability of spare parts to reduce passenger delays. (more to come) Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
