Balmer Lawrie & Co , a Government of India Enterprise, has announced significant changes to its senior management team, particularly in its Industrial Packaging division. The Board of Directors approved these changes at their meeting on November 6, 2025, following recommendations from the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

Leadership Transition

Effective March 1, 2026, the company will see the following changes:

1. Retirement of N V Balaji: N V Balaji will step down from his role as Chief Operating Officer (Industrial Packaging) due to superannuation. Consequently, he will also cease to be part of the company's Senior Management.

2. Promotion of J Suresh Antony: J Suresh Antony will be elevated from his current position of Vice President (Manufacturing) - IP Chittoor to Head (Industrial Packaging). This promotion will also see Antony join the Senior Management team of Balmer Lawrie & Co.

Profile of J Suresh Antony

J Suresh Antony brings over three decades of valuable experience to his new role:

• Expertise: Mechanical engineering with a focus on machine operations, process optimization, and plant performance enhancement.
• Tenure: Serving at Balmer Lawrie since 1997 (28 years of service by 2026).
• Key Achievements:
  • Spearheaded major capacity expansions
  • Pioneered innovative drum designs
  • Set record dispatch benchmarks
• Skills: Proficient in P&L analysis, lean manufacturing, and safety compliance.
• Background: Strong R&D foundation from earlier career experiences.

Antony is recognized for driving sustainable operational growth and has been a significant contributor to industrial excellence at Balmer Lawrie.

Implications for Balmer Lawrie

This leadership transition in the Industrial Packaging division signals Balmer Lawrie's commitment to internal talent development and succession planning. The promotion of a long-serving executive like J Suresh Antony to a key leadership role suggests a strategy of leveraging deep institutional knowledge and proven expertise to drive the division forward.

The change comes at a time when industrial packaging solutions are increasingly important in global supply chains, and Balmer Lawrie appears to be positioning itself to capitalize on this trend with experienced leadership at the helm.

Investors and industry observers will likely watch closely to see how these changes impact the performance and strategic direction of Balmer Lawrie's Industrial Packaging division in the coming years.

Balmer Lawrie & Co , a diversified public sector undertaking, has officially confirmed its plans to gradually exit its refinery and oil field services business by the end of Financial Year 2026-27. This strategic decision follows the approval granted by the company's Board of Directors in May 2025.

Board Approval and Timeline

The Board of Directors of Balmer Lawrie approved the closure of the company's Strategic Business Unit: Refinery and Oil Field Services (SBU:ROFS) during a meeting held on May 15, 2025. The decision stipulates that the exit will be implemented after the completion of ongoing projects, with a target to conclude operations by the end of FY 2026-27.

Regulatory Compliance and Transparency

In adherence to regulatory requirements, Balmer Lawrie promptly informed the stock exchanges about this significant development. The company filed multiple disclosures with both the BSE and NSE on May 15-16, 2025, ensuring transparency and compliance with listing obligations.

Completion of Existing Contracts

The company has emphasized that all existing contracts within the refinery and oil field services business will be honored and completed before the closure. This approach demonstrates Balmer Lawrie's commitment to fulfilling its obligations to clients and partners in the sector.

No Negotiations Required

Notably, Balmer Lawrie stated that no negotiations were necessary for this decision, indicating that the exit strategy was formulated internally and does not involve external parties or complex deal-making processes.

Response to Market Inquiries

The announcement came as a response to an inquiry from the BSE regarding a news article about the company's business exit plans. Balmer Lawrie's clarification confirms the accuracy of the reported information and provides additional context to stakeholders.

Impact and Future Outlook

While the company has not disclosed specific details about the financial impact of this decision, the gradual exit from the refinery and oil field services business is likely to have significant implications for Balmer Lawrie's operational structure and future strategic focus.

As Balmer Lawrie prepares to phase out its involvement in the refinery and oil field services sector, investors and industry observers will be keen to see how the company reallocates its resources and which areas it may prioritize for future growth and investment.

The company's proactive communication and structured approach to this business transition reflect a strategic realignment aimed at optimizing its portfolio and focusing on core strengths in the evolving market landscape.