Century Plyboards (India) Limited has announced a significant change in its senior management personnel. The company has designated Shri Ashok Kumar Goyal as the Plant Head-Hoshiarpur, effective November 14, 2025. This appointment marks a strategic move for the company, bringing in extensive industry experience to its leadership team.

Key Appointment Details

Professional Background

Shri Ashok Kumar Goyal brings a wealth of experience to his new role at Century Plyboards. His professional journey includes:

• Over 37 years of total industry experience
• 34 years specifically in MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) manufacturing
• Previous associations with notable organizations such as Nuchem Ltd., Greenpanel Industries Ltd., and Century Plyboards

Educational Qualification

Goyal holds a B.Tech degree in Electrical Engineering from NIT Kurukshetra, which he obtained in 1988. This technical background, combined with his extensive industry experience, positions him well for his new role overseeing operations at the Hoshiarpur plant.

Significance of the Appointment

The appointment of Shri Ashok Kumar Goyal as Plant Head-Hoshiarpur underscores Century Plyboards' commitment to strengthening its operational leadership. With his deep expertise in MDF manufacturing, Goyal is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and productivity of the Hoshiarpur facility.

This strategic move by Century Plyboards aligns with industry trends of bringing experienced professionals into key operational roles to drive growth and maintain competitive edge in the wood-based panel products market.

The company's decision to appoint Goyal in the Senior Management Personnel category highlights the importance of the Hoshiarpur plant in Century Plyboards' overall operations and future strategies.

As the wood-based panel industry continues to evolve, the expertise of seasoned professionals like Shri Ashok Kumar Goyal may prove instrumental in navigating challenges and capitalizing on opportunities in the sector.

Century Plyboards (India) Limited , a leading player in the wood panel industry, has reported a 13.3% year-over-year increase in consolidated revenue for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025-26. The company's performance, however, shows mixed results across segments, with margins facing pressure amid expansion efforts.

Financial Highlights

• Revenue Growth: Consolidated revenue rose to ₹1,385.53 crore in Q2 FY26, up from ₹1,183.62 crore in the same quarter last year, marking a 13.3% increase.
• Profit After Tax: The company reported a consolidated profit after tax of ₹70.94 crore for Q2 FY26, representing a 77.4% increase from ₹39.99 crore in Q2 FY25.
• EBITDA Performance: EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) for Q2 FY26 stood at ₹97.87 crore, up 68.6% from ₹58.04 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
• Margin Pressure: Despite revenue growth, the EBITDA margin declined to 7.1% in Q2 FY26 from 8.4% in Q2 FY25, indicating cost pressures.

Segment Performance

Expansion and Capex

Century Plyboards continues its expansion strategy with significant capital expenditure:

• A ₹600 crore capex plan for MDF and particle board expansion.
• Ongoing projects include a greenfield MDF plant in Andhra Pradesh (₹600 crore budget) and a laminates plant (₹200 crore budget).
• The company has allocated ₹550 crore for a greenfield particle board plant in Chennai.

Management Commentary

Sanjay Agarwal, Managing Director of Century Plyboards, stated, "We have delivered strong top-line growth this quarter, particularly in our core plywood and MDF segments. However, we are experiencing margin pressures due to our ongoing expansion initiatives and market dynamics. We remain focused on operational efficiency and gaining market share in premium wood products."

Outlook

Century Plyboards has provided guidance for 15%+ growth across its plywood, laminates, and MDF segments. The company has set an EBITDA margin target of 13-15% for FY26, indicating an expectation of margin improvement from current levels. The management is focusing on efficiency, cost optimization, and gaining market share in premium wood products to achieve these targets.

Working Capital Management

The company has improved its working capital cycle to 63 days from 76 days, demonstrating better inventory and payable management.

In conclusion, while Century Plyboards shows strong revenue growth and significant improvements in some segments, the company faces challenges in maintaining margins amidst its expansion efforts. The management's focus on efficiency and market share gains in premium products will be crucial for achieving its stated growth and margin targets in the coming quarters.