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Informist, Friday, Jul. 10, 2026

 

By Avishek Rakshit

 

KOLKATA – Even as Exide Industries Ltd. is running its last leg to venture into the lithium-ion battery business which is set to fuel its next phase of growth, the company remains focussed on strengthening its core cash-generating core lead-acid business, Chairman Sridhar Gorthi said Friday. 

 

"The Board remains focused on strengthening the cash-generating core lead-acid business, improving productivity, progressing future-ready investments, maintaining strong governance standards and preserving our balance sheet strength," Gorthi told shareholders at the company's 79th annual general meeting. "We believe your company is well positioned to participate meaningfully in India's growth and in the evolving energy storage landscape supported by a strong brand record, pan-India network reach, manufacturing depth, service infrastructure and prudent approach to capital allocation.

 

Currently, nearly all of Exide's revenue comes in from the lead acid battery business from several business verticals. Apart from selling lead acid batteries, the company also sells lithium-ion modules and packs. Although Exide does not disclose its revenue contribution from lead acid batteries towards its overall business or revenue contribution from various operating business verticals, the automotive segment, comprising sales to original equipment manufacturers and after-market sales comprise 70% of its revenue. Currently, the entire sales to this segment comprise lead acid batteries. The company also makes batteries for the telecom segment, home uninterruptible power supply, industrial batteries, and for submarines.

 

In its annual report for 2025-26 (Apr-Mar), Exide said that its priority remained to continuously improve product relevance, manufacturing efficiency, distribution reach, service quality, and market leadership, even as the company selectively builds capabilities for emerging energy applications.

 

Gorthi said that despite the ongoing global financial uncertainties arising from the crisis in West Asia and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which led to a spike in raw material costs and market volatility, the company is confident of achieving optimal financial performance in the current financial year.

 

"As we enter FY26-27 (Apr-Mar), opportunities across our markets remain compelling and achievable," Gorthi said. "While the global environment continues to present uncertainties, India's growth trajectory and the expanding opportunities in energy storage sector provide a strong foundation for the future."

 

However, the company will keep a close watch and react accordingly in terms of procurement, cost savings and pricing actions going ahead. "Geopolitical developments, commodity prices, currency movements, and ongoing technologization will require disciplined execution," he said. 

 

The top company official said that Exide has already invested over INR 48 billion to build the first phase of its 12 gigwatt-hour lithium-ion manufacturing plant. In the first phase 6 gigwatt-hour of capacity will be commissioned. The company has already sent out sample products to be commercially made by this plant to original equipment manufacturers.  End 

 

IST, or Indian Standard Time, is five-and-a-half hours ahead of GMT

 

Edited by Akul Nishant Akhoury

 

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