DEAR SHAREHOLDERS,
I am privileged to address you as the Chairman of AXISCADES. As we
reflect on our achievements and outline strategies for future growth,
I am filled with optimism on the future trajectory of AXISCADES. Our
focus on business performance, coupled with governance, leadership, environmental, social,
and governance (ESG) principles continues to drive our progress.
GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP
At AXISCADES, we recognise that strong governance is the bedrock of
sustainable growth. Our Board of Directors, comprising a blend of experienced
professionals and industry veterans, provides the strategic direction and oversight
necessary to navigate the complexities of our business environment. We are committed to
upholding the highest standards of corporate governance, ensuring transparency,
accountability, and integrity in all our operations.
Our leadership team has been instrumental in steering the company
through various challenges. Their ability to adapt, innovate, and lead has been crucial in
maintaining our competitive edge. We have continued to invest significantly in talent
development, fostering a culture of continuous learning and leadership at all levels of
the organisation, ensuring a strong pipeline of future leaders.
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE (ESG) COMMITMENT
AXISCADES is deeply committed to integrating ESG principles into its
business strategy. This commitment is not just an ethical imperative, but also a driver of
long-term value creation. Our ESG initiatives, built upon key pillars, guide our efforts
to minimize our environmental footprint, enhance social impact, and strengthen governance
frameworks. For example, our ISO
14001 certification for Environmental
Management Systems underscores our dedication to efficient water use,
waste management, and energy consumption optimization, ensuring compliance with legal
requirements and reflecting our proactive approach to environmental stewardship.
On the social front, we strongly emphasise fostering an inclusive and
equitable workplace. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is reflected in
our hiring practices, employee engagement initiatives, and continuous efforts to create an
environment where all employees can thrive. Additionally, we prioritise our
employees' well-being, health, and safety through comprehensive health programs,
Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) for mental health support, and educational webinars on
health-related topics. From a governance perspective, we uphold the highest standards of
corporate governance with an Enterprise Risk Management Framework encompassing continuous
risk monitoring and timely mitigation measures. Our information systems and cybersecurity
infrastructure, validated by industry-recognized certifications, further bolster our
resilience, ensuring data protection and system availability.
We are also committed to enhancing our Business Responsibility and
Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) and continually improving our ESG disclosures.
PERFORMANCE AND INDUSTRY CONTEXT
AXISCADES operates in the Engineering Research and
Development (ER&D) sector, a critical component of the global
industrial landscape. ER&D companies like ours are pivotal in driving innovation,
enhancing productivity, and creating value across industries. We cater to various sectors,
including aerospace, defence, automotive, heavy engineering, energy, and healthcare,
providing cutting-edge engineering solutions that address complex challenges.
The past year has been a testament to our resilience and adaptability.
Despite global economic uncertainties, we have delivered robust financial
performancedriven by our strong order book, strategic partnerships, and relentless focus
on operational excellence. Our revenue growth,profitability,andcashflow generation have
been commendable, reflecting our ability to leverage market opportunities and execute
effectively.
Our aerospace and defence segment continuestocontribute to our growth.
We have deepened our engagement with global OEMs, expanded our service offerings, and
enhanced our value proposition. The automotive sector, too, has shown promising trends,
with increasing demand for advanced engineering solutions driven by the shift towards
electric and autonomous vehicles.
The past year also saw us raising additional capital with participation
from Institutional Investors, which will enhance the quality of our balance sheet as well
as capital table.
In the energy sector, we have made notable progress in providing
engineering services for renewable energy projects, aligning with global trends towards
sustainability.
FUTURE OUTLOOK
As we look ahead, we remain focused on leveraging our core strengths to
capitalise on emerging opportunities. The global aerospace and defence industry is
experiencing growth and transformation, with commercial and defence segments witnessing
increased demand. The commercial sector is recovering robustly post-pandemic, with air
travel expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels by 2024-2025. Geopolitical instability
drives defence budgets higher as nations prioritise preparedness and modernise their
military capabilities. Technological advancements in AI, machine learning, additive
manufacturing, and digital twin technology are reshaping production methods, increasing
efficiency, and enabling data-driven decision-making.
The automotive industry also demonstrates robust growth, with
significant increases in production across various regions. AI and generative AI are
enabling digital twins becoming integral to manufacturing and engineering operations,
enabling more intelligent data use, better product designs, and enhanced customer
experiences. The transition to clean energy solutions is gaining momentum in the energy
sector, with investments in carbon capture, hydrogen, and biofuels.
We also recognize the transformative potential of Industry 4.0
technologies, which integrate cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), and
cloud computing into manufacturing and industrial processes. These advancements will drive
operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance our ability to deliver customized
solutions to our clients.
Furthermore, the growing importance of cybersecurity cannot be
overstated. As we continue to expand our digital footprint, we are committed to investing
in state-of-the-art cybersecurity measures to protect our assets, data, and client
information from evolving threats. This will ensure our long-term resilience and the trust
of our stakeholders.
We will continue prioritising innovation, investing in research and
development to stay ahead of industry trends and deliver superior value to our clients.
Our strategic initiatives, including expanding our global footprint, forging new
partnerships, and enhancing our service portfolio, will drive our growth trajectory.
In conclusion, I sincerely thank you for your unwavering support and
trust in AXISCADES. Our achievements are a testament to the collective efforts of our
employees, partners, and stakeholders. As we embark on the next phase of our journey, I am
confident that our commitment to operational excellence, governance, leadership and ESG
principles will propel us towards greater heights.
Thank you for your continued faith in AXISCADES.
Sincerely, |
ABIDALI NEEMUCHWALA |
Chairman and Non-Executive Director |
LETTER FROM CEO & MD
business model and the effectiveness of our strategic initiatives. The
overall revenue growth was primarily driven by a 21% increase in our Engineering Services,
led by strong performance in Aerospace, Automotive, and Energy verticals.
On the people front, we have made significant strides in improving
employee journey. Our attrition rates decreased, a testament to our commitment to employee
well-being and our continuous efforts to enhance employee engagement activities and better
manage the employee experience.
STRATEGIC ACQUISITIONS
Our strategic acquisitions have been instrumental in our growth
strategy, bringing in new and niche capabilities while expanding our market reach. The
acquisition of EPCOGEN has significantly bolstered our in the energy sector. This
strategic move has enhanced our presence in
DEAR STAKEHOLDERS,
I am pleased to report that fiscal year 2024 has been momentous year
for AXISCADES Technologies Limited. Our company has demonstrated remarkable resilience and
strong operational performance in key verticals despite global macroeconomic volatility
and challenges in several industry verticals. We successfully concluded a qualified
institutional made two acquisitions, acquired new logos, strengthened our strategic
relationship with several OEMs and strategic customers, had several deal wins, retired
high-cost debt and strengthened our balance sheet.
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
In FY24, we surpassed the previous highest revenue of FY23 and set new
benchmarks for successive years. We achieved a 17% increase in sales revenue, reaching INR
952 crores. Our EBITDA stood at INR 130 crores, and our PAT was INR 33 crores, marking a
substantial turnaround from the previous fiscal year. The
60% reduction in net borrowings was another commendable achievement,
which will significantly reduce our finance costs in the coming years.
Our Defence production revenues tripled, and our order pipeline
thrived, reflecting the robustness of our the energy markets of the Middle East and North
America and facilitated cross-selling opportunities among our established oil & gas
clientele and industrial product customers. Integrating EPCOGEN's capabilities with
AXISCADES is expected to fortify our position in complex project engineering and
execution, paving the way for a promising future.
Additionally, our acquisition of add solution GmbH, a German company
specialising in automotive design and development, has significantly boosted our expertise
in Electrical Distribution Systems, software development, wiring systems component
engineering, and
We see significant opportunities in the Defence sector, with production
ramping up and a robust pipeline of orders. The increasing demand for radars, drones, and
other advanced defence and electronic warfare systems underscores our strategic
investments in this sector.
automation for global automotive OEMs. This acquisition has not only
expanded our footprint in Europe, a key automotive hub but also enhanced our ability to
drive innovation. The amalgamation of add solution GmbH creates cross-selling
opportunities and positions AXISCADES as a comprehensive solutions provider, aligning with
our vision of becoming a leading solutions provider to the automotive industry.
SECTOR PERFORMANCE
In the defence sector, production revenues have significantly increased
owing to the design wins of prior years, enhancing the margin in this sector . After
successful trials, we have also started delivery of the first-of-its-kind Man Portable
Counter
Drone System to the Ministry of Defence. We continue to develop
prototypes in radar, sonar and telemetry systems for prestigious defense programs, which
will add to the future pipeline of orders.
In the aerospace sector, we are positioned to achieve industry-leading
growth rates, supported by substantial opportunities with OEMs in manufacturing processes
and assembly lines. We have secured a large OEM deal worth $18 million, to be executed
over the next three to five years.
The automotive sector achieved above-industry-average growth, driven by
synergised capabilities and deepened relationships with our customer base across Europe
and APAC. Our pivot to advanced solutions such as reusable components, CASE technologies
and other new-age automotive solutions position us well for continued success. The
acquisition of add solution will provide further impetus to make inroads into this sector.
The energy sector has seen a remarkable 79% growth, driven by growing
relationships with our customers and the addition of EPCOGEN's capabilities.
STRATEGIC FOCUS AND FUTURE OUTLOOK
Our strategy leverages our diverse capabilities to drive long-term
growth and value creation. We have strengthened our balance sheet by retiring high-cost
debt and improving our financial health, allowing us to invest in new technologies, expand
our R&D capabilities, and enhance our service offerings across the entire product life
cycle.
We are committed to capitalising on this growth momentum and delivering
stronger performances. Our digital and embedded services are also expected to grow at a
healthy pace, driven by increasing global demand for innovative solutions.
DIGITAL INITIATIVES
The Engineering and R&D sector is set to lead global advancements,
and AXISCADES is well-positioned to be at the forefront of this transformation. Our
investments in IoT, AI, and analytics for intelligent manufacturing, combined with
innovations in aerospace, automotive, heavy engineering and energy, highlight our
commitment to industry-wide change and fostering a sustainable future. Our expertise in
intelligent product engineering and manufacturing, CASE technologies, aerospace
advancements, renewable energy, oil and gas, and embedded solutions showcases our
dedication to revolutionising industries and creating a brighter, more efficient future
As part of our future outlook, our digital initiatives are set to
strengthen the company's growth trajectory further. Our focus on agile development
processes, enhanced digital infrastructure, and internal automation is poised to improve
operational efficiency and product quality. Developing a machine vision-based quality
inspection system for AOL validation and implementing
AR/VR/3Dcapabilitiesare steps towards modernising our capabilities.
These initiatives are expected to drive efficiencies, reduce costs, and open new avenues
for growth, particularly in sectors such as aerospace, automotive and heavy engineering.
FOCUS ON ESG
As we reflect on our journey and look forward to the future, I am
pleased to highlight the significant strides AXISCADES has made in integrating
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into our core strategies. ESG is a
fundamental business model component, driving long-term growth and value for all
stakeholders. Our initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint, enhance workplace diversity,
and maintain high corporate governance standards
We anticipate production revenues growing steadily, with our R&D
investments from prior years and expertise bearing fruit. Our Design Wins are providing
valuable contributions to a range of advanced upcoming indigenous programs and enabling
the nation's self-reliance. These projects will further boost our role as a key
player in the Indian defence technology ecosystem.
demonstrate our commitment to sustainable practices. By embedding ESG
principles into our operations, we ensure AXISCADES remains resilient and responsible.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
As I stated in my letter last year, we embarked on significant projects
to enhance our capabilities and market presence. Our collaboration with key clients have
strengthened, leading to increased revenues and extended contracts. Our partnerships in
the industry and academia have progressed well, encouraging transformative research and
solutions for the futuristic industry requirements.
Our acquisition of Mistral continues to enhance our embedded product
engineering and defence capabilities. We have successfully integrated Mistral's
skills into our operations, enabling us to penetrate new verticals and strengthen our
market position. The new delivery centre in Broughton, United Kingdom, has positioned us
to gain more market share from existing and new clients in the aerospace sector.
In the heavy engineering segment, we have launched new initiatives in
digital and analytics, and we are optimistic about growth as we advance. Our strategic
investments in the promising Automotive and Energy segments have built a strong foundation
for future growth, which we expect to play a significant role in our revenue expansion
moving forward.
I am confident that with our dedicated team, strong market position,
and clear strategic direction, we will continue to achieve our ambitious goals and deliver
exceptional value to our stakeholders. Our focus on engineering innovation across various
sectors positions us well to lead global advancements and drive industry transformation.
Thank you for your continued support and confidence in our company.
Sincerely, |
ARUN KRISHNAMURTHI |
Chief Executive Officer and |
Managing Director |