Berger Paints shareholders have approved the re-appointment of Abhijit Roy as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for a period of four consecutive years. The new term is scheduled to commence on July 1, 2027, immediately following the expiration of his current appointment on June 30, 2027.

The resolution was passed at the company's 102nd Annual General Meeting held on August 12, 2026. The move ensures continuity in executive leadership as Roy transitions into his next phase with the Kolkata-based paints manufacturer.

Appointment Details

The Board of Directors had recommended the re-appointment prior to seeking shareholder approval. Under the terms of the engagement, Roy will serve as an Executive Director who is not liable to retire by rotation. The appointment aligns with regulatory disclosures made under Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

Leadership History

Abhijit Roy has served in the role since his initial appointment in July 2012. He has been re-appointed multiple times over the past decade, with previous terms commencing in July 2017 and July 2022. Each re-appointment was subsequently ratified by members at their respective Annual General Meetings.

Roy brings extensive experience in sales, marketing strategy, and financial management to the role. His profile highlights a focus on contemporary branding strategies and business promotion. In recognition of his contributions to education and industry, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award 2023 from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.

Industry Engagement

Beyond corporate governance, Roy remains active in industry forums. He represented India at the Coatings Summit 2025 in Singapore, addressing an audience of global CEOs on the dynamics of the Indian paints industry. Additionally, he spoke at the 22nd edition of the India Conference at Harvard Business School, focusing on building timeless Indian brands.

For the year 2025-26, Roy also serves as the President of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This dual role underscores his engagement with both the corporate and broader industrial ecosystems in eastern India.

Berger Paints India Limited reported a robust start to FY27, with consolidated net profit rising 28.6% year-on-year to ₹405.01 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. The growth was driven by a 12% increase in revenue from operations to ₹3,583.75 crore, supported by strong performances in the decorative and automotive segments. Despite inflationary pressures on crude-based raw materials due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia, the company maintained operational efficiency, resulting in an EBITDA expansion of 15% to ₹607.40 crore. The earnings call, held on August 5, 2026, provided further clarity on margin dynamics and future outlook.

Financial Performance Overview

The company’s financial results for Q1FY27 reflect double-digit growth across key metrics. Standalone net profit increased by 25.5% to ₹368.68 crore, while standalone revenue grew by 12.7% to ₹3,226.68 crore. The Board of Directors approved the unaudited standalone and consolidated financial results in a meeting held on August 5, 2026. The results were reviewed by the Audit Committee and subjected to limited review by statutory auditors B S R & Co. LLP, as required under Regulation 33 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

Operational Highlights and Segment Growth

Abhijit Roy, Managing Director & CEO, attributed the value growth outpacing volume growth to price increases implemented during the quarter. Volume growth was recorded in high single digits at 8.4%. The decorative business delivered nearly mid-teen value growth of 13.5%, with exterior emulsions outperforming and the newly launched Color Plus interior emulsion gaining strong traction in the premium segment. Construction chemicals and waterproofing products, including Roof Kool & Seal, delivered robust volume and value growth. Wood coatings also reported strong double-digit volume growth.

The automotive segment benefited significantly from GST cuts and lower financing costs, reporting healthy double-digit value growth. However, protective, GI, and powder coatings recorded relatively lower growth due to delayed price increases in these categories. Gross margins moderated to 39.3% from 40.1% in Q1FY26, primarily due to delayed and partial pass-through of input cost increases in the industrial business. Prudent financial controls helped keep operating profit margins slightly ahead of guidance, with standalone operating margin sustaining at 17.4%.

Subsidiary and Joint Venture Performance

Consolidated revenue growth saw slight moderation versus standalone performance, primarily due to muted revenue growth in wholly owned subsidiaries Bolix and STP. Bolix reported flattish revenue during the quarter due to seasonal factors, though profitability improved driven by gross margin expansion. UK operations remained subdued. STP delivered improved profitability, supported by favourable product mix, calibrated price increases, and gross margin expansion.

Joint ventures continued to deliver strong growth. Berger Nippon Paint Automotive Coatings Private Limited (BNPA JV) posted robust growth in revenue and profits, although margins moderated slightly as the full benefit of price increases is yet to offset higher input costs. Berger Becker Coatings Private Limited maintained its strong performance trajectory, registering healthy revenue growth along with higher operating profits. BJN Nepal registered double-digit value growth. Joint ventures Berger Becker and BNPA contributed ₹11.77 crore to the share of profit, up from ₹11.17 crore in the prior year quarter.

What the Numbers Show

The divergence between standalone and consolidated EBITDA margins highlights the contribution of subsidiaries and joint ventures. While standalone EBITDA margin remained stable at approximately 17.4%, the consolidated margin expanded to 16.95% from 16.50%, indicating improved efficiency across the group structure. A significant development is the growing cash surplus, which increased to ₹1,424 crore as of June FY27, up from ₹1,198 crore in March FY26 and ₹992 crore in June FY26. This strengthening balance sheet provides ample liquidity for future investments, including two new factories planned in Panagar and Orissa near Jharsuguda, and dividend payouts. Capital expenditure for the year is expected to be between ₹600 crore and ₹800 crore.

Business Outlook

Management expects double-digit revenue growth to sustain, supported by the full-quarter impact of price increases in Q2FY27, festive demand, and distribution expansion. The store footprint has expanded to over 1,900 stores, with urban stores alone numbering around 900. Tinting machine installations crossed 2,100 for the quarter, with an aspiration to reach 10,000 machines for the year. Operating margins are expected to remain within the guided range of 15% to 17%. A well-progressing monsoon may support rural sentiment, while market competitiveness is expected to stay elevated. The company will continue sustained investments in brands, innovation, and retail activation to strengthen its consumer base, while closely monitoring the dynamic macro environment including crude oil prices, currency fluctuations, and geopolitical developments.