Orient Bell Limited (OBL), a prominent player in the Indian tile industry, has reported a resilient performance for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, showcasing growth despite soft market conditions. The company's strategic focus on operational efficiencies and cost management has yielded positive results, with significant improvements in EBITDA and profitability.

Financial Highlights

• Revenue growth of 3% year-on-year, primarily driven by volume increase
• EBITDA surged by 22.5% to INR 9.80 crores compared to the same quarter last year
• Profit Before Tax (PBT) improved substantially to INR 3.90 crores from INR 0.80 crores in Q2 FY25
• Gross margins expanded by 250 basis points to 39%, among the best in the industry

Operational Performance

Orient Bell's focus on operational efficiencies has resulted in a 3.7% reduction in manufacturing costs on a like-for-like basis, after adjusting for product mix and energy prices. The company achieved a capacity utilization of 68% for manufacturing in Q2 FY26, with improvements noted across plants, particularly at the Sikandrabad facility.

Market Dynamics and Strategy

The company is navigating through a challenging market environment characterized by reduced dealer inventories and pricing pressures. Despite these headwinds, Orient Bell has maintained its focus on:

1. Volume-led Growth: The 3% revenue growth in Q2 was primarily driven by volume increases rather than price hikes.
2. Product Mix Optimization: Vitrified tiles now constitute 58% of sales in H1 FY26, with GVT (Glazed Vitrified Tiles) accounting for 41%, aligning with industry trends.
3. Retail Focus: The company has seen an increase in retail sales, attributed to enhanced brand visibility through regional language advertising and the expansion of Orient Bell Tiles Boutiques (OBTBs).
4. Cost Management: Continued efforts in cost reduction and operational efficiencies have supported margin improvement.

New Business Initiatives

Orient Bell has ventured into the adhesives business, launching operations in late July 2025. While still in its nascent stage, the company is positioning its adhesive products at a premium to other tile manufacturers but at a slight discount to industry leaders.

Market Outlook

The management expressed cautious optimism for the second half of FY26, traditionally stronger for the industry. Positive indicators include:

• Improved performance in the cement and steel sectors, signaling potential growth in construction activity
• A 6% year-on-year increase in tile exports from India
• Reduction in domestic market oversupply due to the closure of some units in Morbi and limited new capacity additions

Management Commentary

Aditya Gupta, CEO of Orient Bell Limited, stated, "Our sustained focus on operational efficiencies and strategic initiatives has enabled us to deliver growth in a challenging market environment. The improvement in our EBITDA and profitability reflects the effectiveness of our cost management efforts and the strength of our brand in the retail segment."

Anuj Arora, CFO, added, "We have maintained a healthy working capital cycle of 26 days, consistent with March 2025 levels and an improvement of 7 days versus September 2024. Our robust cash balances and strong balance sheet position us well for future growth opportunities."

Orient Bell's performance in Q2 FY26 demonstrates its resilience and ability to navigate through market challenges. As the company continues to focus on operational efficiencies, brand building, and strategic expansion, it remains well-positioned to capitalize on the anticipated recovery in the construction and real estate sectors.

Orient Bell Limited , a prominent player in the ceramic tiles and allied products segment, has released its financial results for the second quarter and half-year ended September 30, 2025, showcasing steady revenue growth and a rebound in profitability.

Revenue Growth and Profit Recovery

The company reported a standalone revenue from operations of ₹164.1 crore for Q2 FY2026, compared to ₹169.08 crore mentioned earlier, reflecting a stable performance with moderate growth momentum in its core ceramic tiles segment.
Importantly, net profit surged to ₹269 lakh for the quarter, marking a strong turnaround from a loss of ₹8.6 lakh reported in Q2 FY2025.

Half-Yearly Performance

For the half-year period, Orient Bell posted consistent operational growth with profitability holding steady year over year:

Despite a slight decline in revenue, the company successfully returned to profitability during H1 FY2026, underscoring operational resilience and better cost management.

Consolidated Performance

On a consolidated basis, Orient Bell reported:

• Quarterly revenue: ₹165.1 crore
• Net profit: ₹318.65 lakh

The consolidated results indicate steady revenue growth and a healthy improvement in bottom-line performance compared to the prior period.

Board Approval and Business Focus

The Board of Directors approved these unaudited financial results in their meeting held on November 11, 2025. Orient Bell continues to focus on the ceramic tiles and allied products segment, emphasizing innovation, efficiency, and expanding its retail footprint across key markets.

Market Outlook

The latest results highlight a period of stabilization and renewed profitability for Orient Bell. The improvement in margins and return to profit reflect stronger demand recovery and disciplined cost control.
Market participants may view these results as a positive indicator of the company’s ability to sustain profitability amid competitive pressures in the ceramic industry.

Conclusion

While overall revenue growth remained moderate, the company’s turnaround in profitability marks a significant milestone. Sustained focus on operational efficiency and brand expansion could further strengthen Orient Bell’s position in the ceramic tiles market over the coming quarters.