Marketing Strategies of SAIL
Marketing Strategies of SAIL
INTRODUCTION
1
1.1 OVERVIEW OF THE INDUSTRY
Steel is the backbone of all industrial and commercial activities. Realizing this,
computer’s planners have been formulating and updating annual plans for production of
iron and steel .it is in this context that a number of steel plans were set up, are still being
set up and the production capacities of the existing ones being expended. Bokaro Steel
Plant (BSP) was the fourth in the row to be set up in public sector. Considering the huge
investment in this venture, it was considered worthwhile to study its economic aspects
including the benefits that have since accrued out of these.
While SAIL and Tata Steel were the main producers, the latter being the only private
player. In 1990, the Indian steel Industry had a production capacity of 23 MT. 1992 saw
the onset of liberalization and the Indian economy was opened to the world. Indian steel
sector also witnessed the entry of several domestic private players and large private
investments flowed into the sector to add fresh capacities. With a current capacity of 35
MT the Indian Steel Industry is today the 8th largest producer of steel in the world.
Today, India produces international standard steel of almost all grades/varieties and has
been a net exporter for the past few years, underlining the growing acceptability of its
products in the global market.
Steel is a highly capital intensive industry and cyclical in nature. Its growth is intertwined
with the growth of the economy at large, and in particular the steel consuming industries
such as manufacturing, housing and infrastructure. Steel, given its backward and forward
linkages, has a large multiplier effect. With capital investments of over Rs 100, 000
crores, the Indian steel industry currently provides direct/indirect employment to over 2
million people. As India moves ahead in the new millennium, the steel industry will play
a critical role in transforming India into an economic superpower.
In the world as a whole, iron and steel industry has witnessed rapid growth during last
100 years. In 1870the world steel production was merely 10 million tones (mt) which
increased threefold to 28 mt in 1900 and over sevenfold to 73mt in 1920.Therafter in the
next 60 years, the production increased about tenfold 717 mt in 1980; highest production
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of 747mt was achieved in 1979.Due to recession, the demand of steel went down after
1979, particularly in technologically advanced countries. Though it has been steadily
increasing since 1983, the production of steel has been regulated to suit the demand
levels.
The last decade saw the Indian steel industry integrating with the global economy and
evolving considerably to adopt world-class production technology to produce high
quality steel. The total investment in the Indian steel since 1990 is over Rs 19,000 crores
mostly in plant equipments, which have been installed after 1990. The steel industry also
went through a turbulent phase between 1997 and 2001 when there was a downturn in the
global steel industry. The progress of the industry in terms of capacity additions,
production, consumption, exports and profitability plateaued off during this phase. But
the industry weathered the storm only to recover in 2002 and is beginning to get back on
its feet given the strong domestic economic growth and revival of demand in global
markets.
A look at the world steel production shows as if it has reached its zenith. Although the
picture may be so for the developed countries. While the consumption of the steel is
stagnating in most of the developed countries, it is not the same for developing countries.
While the consumption of steel is stagnating in most of developed countries, there has
been continuing growth in steel consumption in developing countries. The per capita
consumption of steel by the steel countries range between 350 kg and 700 kg; but, on the
other hand, the developing countries, with the exception of a few, consume less than 50
kg per head (As in 1990’s). It is, therefore, anticipated that with the passage of time, the
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steel consumption of the developing countries will increase to facilitate much needed
industrial and economical development of these countries.
The declining price trend after an unprecedented rise in Q1 of 2005 has taken sheen off
the global steel market. However, there is a widespread perception that in the post Q2 of
the current year the global price are bound to go up. Only this time the rise would be
flattened and not abnormal. The domestic demand in Europe is steel low with industries
production showing a downward trend forcing the major steel producer to call back the
price hike announced earlier. The postponement of purchase by the buyers is likely to
result in running down the current inventories. Data released recently indicate that EU
has imported a total of 22.8 million tones including semis; which have gone up by 8
percent in 2004.The import of CR coil and coated coils were also higher than last year
EU exports totaled 245 million tones in 2004.
*Excluding china
Table 1
4
300
EU 25
250 other europe
200 cis
north america
150
south america
100
africa
50 middle east
0 asia/oceania
production in production in china
jan-march jan-march world
2005(million 2004(million
tones) tones)
% growth
EU 25 -0.3
other europe -1.6
cis -0.2
north america 0.3
south america 0.3
africa 10.8
middle east 9.4
asia/oceania 1.7
china 23.8
world 6.5
Table 2
5
30
25 23.8 EU 25
other europe
20
cis
north america
15
south america
10.8
9.4 africa
10
6.5 middle east
asia/oceania
5
1.7 china
0.3 0.3
0 world
-0.3 -0.2 % growth
-1.6
-5
Flat price have fallen in North American market by $70-80 per ton in the last two month.
The current HR coil price by US mills is pegged at $615 fob/t with CR price at $695 per
ton. Compared to flat producer the long product market is relatively stable and there is no
decline in the price of structural more due to fall in import volumes. China has also
remove a 13 percent rebate on steel billet and slab exporter with effect from 1st April
2005 to enhance domestic availability this has led to price fall in April. The export rebate
on bars and rods has been reduced from 13 to 10 percent from 1st May. Indian long
product market is largely influenced by global price of semis. The CIS price of billets is
currently running at $370gob/t; which is nearly at the same level as in March. There are
reports that Russian steel producer are expending a major chunk of the equity
participation in mills in other countries as a long term trading ventures.
Crude steel production figure for 2005 released by HIS exhibits a growth of 6.5 percent
in the first three month over the corresponding period in previous year. China remains the
leading steel producer with growth touching 24 percent.
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1.2 PROFILE OF THE ORGANIZATION
One of the leading steel producer of in the world and the largest steel maker of the
country. SAIL occupies a prime place in the industrial scenario of India. SAIL, is India’s
largest and one of the World’s leading steel producer with a turnover of around Rs.16500
crores. Quality steel products from SASIL, have carved a niche for themselves in the
global steel market. The company aims at making its global presence felt through export,
joint ventures and alliance with internationally reputed steel markets.
In a fast changing product market scenario, SAIL has lunched a new strategy for
achieving a turnaround, which includes financial restructuring and business restructuring
to focus on core business of making carbon steel and withdrawing from non-core and
non-viable activities. Making employees focus on market requirement, ensuring greater
involvement of plans in marketing initiative, achieving cost leadership through rigorous
cost cutting drive and rationalizing manpower to bring down the total number of
employees to competitive levels are some other facets of the strategy.
In the new millennium, there is a strong focus on SAIL’s business activities for customer
satisfaction, adopting an approach for increased synergy between production capabilities
and market need’s and ensuring supply of customized products with shorter lead times.
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SAIL has been progressively investing in technological up gradation of its plants and
facilities for supporting costs reduction, improving product quality and yields, and for
environmental protection. In the new millennium, the accent of SAIL has been to
accelerated the process of change, adapt to emerging competitive business environment
and excel as a business organization both within and outside India.
VISION OF SAIL
To be a respected world Class Corporation and the leader in Indian steel business in
quality, productivity, profitability and customer satisfaction.
MISSION OF SAIL
We build lasting relationships with customers based on trust and mutual benefit.
We create and nurture a culture that supports flexibility, learning and is proactive to
change.
We chart a challenging career for employees with opportunities for advancement and
rewards.
In September 1955 the Govt. of India decided to develop the Bokaro site for a steel plant.
Accordingly, an initial provision of Rs. 3.75 cr. Was made and Hindustan Steel Limited
(HSL) was asked to take up the preliminary work. HSL appointed M.N.Dastur &Co., the
consultants, for carrying out the feasibility study. The feasibility report, submitted in
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December 1959, recommended establishment of a 2 million-tone plant, which was
accepted. M.N.Dastur & Co. was then commissioned to prepare a Detailed Project Report
(DPR) in May 1962. The DPR envisaged 1.5 mt. Plants in stage 1st and 4 mt. Plants in
stage 2nd. Again, on the basis of DPR, Hindustan Steel Works Construction Limited
were appointed as civil contractors to undertake the site work.
In order to arrange
external finance,
Government of India
started negotiations
with government of
USA. Accordingly, it
was agreed in January
1962 that techno-
economic survey
would be made by US Govt. Agency for International Development (US AID). The
report, submitted in December 1962 by US Steel Corporation, who was appointed by
USA to conduct the survey, envisaged a 1.4-mt steel plant, increasing its capacity to 4 mt
over of 10 years. However, there was sharp resistance in August 1963 for providing
assistance to state aided project in India and that ended the scope for American finance.
A global quest for financial aid by any other country was started which ultimately
culminated in the USSR agreeing to finance the project. An agreement was signed with
the Soviets on 25 January 1965 for rendering financial assistance and technical
collaboration for establishment of Bokaro Steel Plant. In pursuance to this agreement V/o
Tiazpromexport, Moscow, prepared a DPR for the diverse aspect of works at Bokaro
between 1965 and 1969. Bokaro Steel Plant was originally incorporated as a limited
company in Jan. 1964. But, after the information of Sail in 1973,m it become the wholly
owned subsidiary of SAIL in terms of public Sectors Iron and Steel companies
(Restricting and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1978).
The Plant was conceived as the country’s first SWADESHI steel plant with build with
maximum indigenization going into the going into the equipments, Materials and Know
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how. Thus, this project has been a radiant shift from the earlier dependence on foreign
sources for know-how and consultancy, design, and equipment, supervision, erection, etc.
to almost a full measure of self-reliance. It’s first of 1.7 million ton ingot steel
commenced on 2nd October. 1972 with the commissioning of the third blast furnace.
Except for minor units in cold Rolling mills, all units of 4 million-tons stages have
already been commissioned as on date. The Plant is designed to produce flat products like
Hot Rolled coils, Hot Rolled Plates, Hot Rolled Sheets, Cold Rolled coils, Cold Rolled
Sheets, Galvanized (Plain & Corrugated) Sheets and Tin Mill Black Plates Linked with
major raw materials sources, the supply of Iron Ore and fluxes is ensured from the
captive mines of SAIL situated at Kiriburu, Meghataburu, Bhawanathpur and Kuteshwar.
Some more leasehold for limestone/dolomite is being developed for meeting the future
requirements. Washed coal supplied from different washeries at Dugdha, Kathara, and
Giddi, ETC. and raw coals obtained from jharia coalfield. Thus, most of the coal
requirements are met from nearby sources making Bokaro a coal-based steel plant.
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PRICING POLICY
Bokaro Steel Plant is one of the largest integrated steel plants in Asia. BSL mainly
produces Hot rolled sheets, cold rolled sheets, galvanized sheets, corrugated sheets etc.
but in the production of these items, many valuable by products are generated. In order to
maximize sale revenue and cut down the cost of main products, these by products are
sold, but these by products being of high market value need special efforts and procedure
for selling. Here the marketing department of BSL plays a major role.
These by products generated in the process of converting coal to coke though of very
high market value cannot compete with similar petroleum products in term of quality.
As a by product selling company cannot become a market leader in those products when
there is the presence of large units selling similar products as their main product so BSL
cannot become market leader.
BSL is not market leader in the field so its prices mainly depend upon the prices set by
market leaders. BSL follows the prices set by the market leaders though there is other
factors also which play a vital part in price determination. These factors are Dispatches of
last three months.
(a) Demand
Besides these factors the market forces decide the price and marketing department meet
those prices. The main objective of the pricing policy of BSL is maximization of sales
revenue. The objective is fulfilled by either increasing the prices when the demand is
high or decreasing the prices when demand is low or giving some turn over discount on
its products. The pricing committee takes all decisions relating to pricing policies.
DISCOUNT POLICY
Generally no discount is offered but in some cases when bulk sale and quick disposal is
given preference then discount is offered. Currently only on ammonium sulphate discount
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is offered. These discounts are termed as Turn over discount (TOD). On ammonium
sulphate the discount is as follows 1000 to 1500 metric tone – Rs. 200 per metric ton.
<1500 metric ton – Rs. 350 per metric ton
The revenue maximization team reviews the decision related to pricing policies
periodically. Revenue Maximization team meets once in a month and decides upon the
various pricing criteria of different products of respective steel plants. It plays a major
role in price fixation of different products.
CURRENT SCENARIO
The Indian steel industry also went through an extremely turbulent phase in the backdrop
of a global economic slowdown revealing that the industry was now globally linked and
was impacted by developments in international markets. As per the Ninth Plan (1997-
2002) steel production targets the industry had started investing in fresh capacity. While
the installed capacity of the industry went up to 35 MT, a slowdown in almost all
industrial segments of the Indian Economy and depressed global demand resulted in
mismatch between installed capacity and demand. This led to a crash in steel prices,
which meant ever-decreasing price realization for all major steel producers. All major
producers barring Tata Steel went into red and in 1999-2000 questions were being asked
whether the steel industry would surivive. Fig 1. shows that the profitability of the Indian
Steel Industry had eroded considerably during this phase. Fig. 2 shows the Return on Net
Worth of Indian steel companies during this tough phase.
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1.3 PROBLEMS OF THE COMPANY
It has to compete with the wide range of products that its competitors offer.
It has to decide on the strategies to be adopted which will help to counter competition.
It has to increase its no. of offices and also enhance its network of agents so that it
can compete with other companies.
It has to focus on providing effective training to its employees so that the customer
base can be increased and moreover customer satisfaction can be ensured.
Tata Steel (earlier known as Tata Iron & Steel Company or Tisco) represents the
country’s single largest, integrated steel plant in the private sector. The company has a
wide product portfolio, which includes flat and long steel, tubes, bearings, ferro-alloys
and minerals as well as cargo handling services. While in terms of size, Tata Steel ranks
34th in the world; it was ranked first (for the second time) among 23 world class steel
companies by World Steel Dynamics in June 2005. Recent overseas acquisitions are Tata
Steel buying Anglo-Dutch firm Corus for over 12 billion dollars
With its plant located in Jamshedpur (Jharkhand) and captive iron ore mines and
collieries in the vicinity, Tata Steel enjoys a distinct competitive advantage. The main
plant at Jamshedpur manufactures 5 MTPA of flat and long products, while its recently
acquired Singapore-based company, NatSteel Asia, manufactures 2 MTPA of steel across
Singapore, China, Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam. Corporate Catalyst India A report
on Indian Iron and Steel Industry
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Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) is a leading Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) in
which the Government of India owns about 86 per cent of equity. It is a fully integrated
iron and steel maker, producing both basic and special steels for domestic construction,
engineering, power, railway, automotive and defence industries and for sale in export
markets. It is ranked amongst the top ten public sector companies in India in terms of
turnover.
They manufactures and sells a broad range of steel products, including hot and cold
rolled sheets and coils, galvanised sheets, electrical sheets, structurals, railway products,
plates, bars and rods, stainless steel and other alloy steels.
SAIL have five integrated plants and three special steel plants, located principally in the
eastern and central regions of India and situated close to domestic sources of raw
materials, including the Company’s iron ore, limestone and dolomite mines. The
company has the distinction of being India’s largest producer of iron ore and of having
the country’s second largest mines network. This gives them a competitive edge in terms
of captive availability of iron ore, limestone, and dolomite which are inputs for steel
making.
Bhushan Power & Steel Ltd., an ISO 9002 certified company, is a merged entity of
Bhushan Industries Ltd., Bhushan Metallics Ltd. and Decor Steel Ltd. Bhushan Steel has
a turnover of more than USD 540 Million and is a leading manufacturer of Flat, Round
and value added products in Steel.
Bhushan have 7 World class and state of art plants at Chandigarh, Derabassi, Kolkata and
Orissa in India. A completely integrated plant is commissioned under Phase I in Orissa
and Phase II is all set for take off. In Orissa plant, technology and equipments are
procured from world-renowned Companies like Luirgi from Germany, ABB Ltd., SMS
Demag, Siemens etc. It is selling its Value added range of products in Secondary Steel
through a large distribution network in India (comprising more than 25 sales offices) and
Abroad.
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Jindal Steel & Power Limited (JSPL)
Jindal Steel and Power (JSPL), part of the US$4 billion Jindal Organisation, has business
interests in steel production, power generation, mining iron ore, coal and diamond
exploration/mining. The current turnover of the company is over Rs. 30 billion and on a
path of catalyzing economic development of the country through its contribution to the
infrastructure sector. JSPL with its obsession for excellence, is increasing its portfolio of
value-added products, bringing the world’s best to India and making an international
mark. Production Capabilities expanded to serve the infrastnicture sector, catalysing
economic, development and growth. JSPL has the integrated steel plant (as approved by
Joint Plant Committee) at Raigarh in the state of Chhattisgarh, India. The facilities
include world’s largest coal-based Sponge Iron Plant with a capacity of 1.37 million TPA
using ten indigenously developed rotary kilns. The company has achieved complete
backward
JSPL today is the largest private sector investor in Chhattisgarh with a total investment of
Rs.100 billion. JSPL has recently signed an MoU with the State Government of Orissa to
set up a 2 million tonne steel plant with an investment of Rs.13.5 billion which would be
expanded to 6 million tonne and another MoU has been signed with the State
Government of Jharkhand to set up a 5 million steel plant with an investment of Rs.120
billion.
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ESSAR Steel
Essar Steel Limited (the “Company”) is the flagship Company of the Essar Group and
looks after the Group’s interest in the steel business. The Company was incorporated in
June 1976 under the name of Essar Construction Limited and was engaged primarily in
core sector activities, including marine construction, pipeline laying, dredging and other
port-related activities. In 1984, the Company ventured further into other core sectors
mainly the field of exploration and development, drilling onshore and offshore oil and
gas wells for Indian Public Sector oil exploration companies. In view of this the
Company’s name was then changed to Essar Offshore and Exploration Limited in May
1987.
In August 1987, the Company’s name was changed to Essar Gujarat Limited, to reflect its
highly diversified business interest. In 1988, the Company made an initial public offer for
its shares, which are now listed on Bombay Stock Exchange, National Stock Exchange of
India and 2 other Indian Stock Exchanges.
The Company diversified into the steel business in late 1980s with the purchase of an
HBI manufacturing plant in Emden, Germany, which was dismantled and relocated to
Hazira, on the west coast of India.
The SWOT analysis of the company refers to the strengths & weaknesses inherent
in the organization & the opportunities & threats faced by them from the environment,
internal as well as external. This analysis is the foundation stone of the strategic planning
process as well as short-term plans needed to attain the strategic objective of the
organization.
The analysis has been done in order to have a better understanding of the
organization. The information given by the organization has been used to carry out the
16
analysis. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities & threats identified are enumerated as
follows:
A) Strength:
One of the largest and lowest cost producers of coal based sponge iron
in the country.
Total backward integration ensuring steady stream of profits
Captive mining of iron ore and coal with coal washery facility
Captive power generation
Identifying projects and business opportunities.
Expertise in project implementation at low capital cost and within the
schedule time.
Lowest cost producer of sponge iron (coal based in the country).
Huge reserve of iron ore and coal in mines.
The world’s longest rail developed in the factory brightens company’s
future outlook.
B) Weakness:
Domestic consumption of steel dependent on infrastructure spending by
GOI.
C) Opportunity:
Forward integration into value-added Products, Rails & Universal
beams will drive future growth.
Association with NKK to create huge export potential for Rails.
State of Chhattisgarh encourages the setting up of new power projects.
The Government’s policy to privatize the power trading leaves new
opportunities opened for the company.
Reduced availability of steel scrap (substitute for the sponge iron) will
increase demand for the sponge iron.
The increasing price of steel in the market will maximize the
profitability of the company further.
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D) Threats:
Sponge iron prices movements are dependent on international scrap
prices, which fluctuate widely.
The main competitors like SAIL, TISCO, MITTAL STEEL, JSPL etc.
of BSIL.
E) Challenges:
The gap between demand and supply of steel is increasing. The
challenge before the company is to fulfill the customer needs through
increased production.
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CHAPTER 2
RESEARCH
OBJECTIVE AND
METHODOLOGY
19
2.1 SIGNIFICANCE
The first & foremost step in any research work is to identify the problems or
objectives on which the researcher has to work on.
Any Research has it’s own importance in any business organization . The
research shows the real fact about product as well as organization. Research is a
systematic and scientific investigation of any idea either precise or abstract from
a continuous basis for learning , it could be either exploratory or descriptive.
In recent time customers are not blind follower of a product. They are giving
high priority to all feature like price, quality, innovative features etc. But after all
this features brand becomes the inevitable parts of any product because it gives the
complete identification of product so it is also the one most important part.
I learnt which factors affect the retailer to sale an individual product, this
research gives me insight to understand the retailers problem as well their area of
interest, in this I got the great experience about the market
For company point of view I tried to find the serious drawback, which is
highly, affected the sale of chocolates. I tried to find market share of SAIL which
is itself important .I tried to find the sale figure of SAIL in term of rupees, due
20
to some hurdle I don’t claim my research work is 100% accurate because so many
factors was uncontrolled during the project .I tried to finish my research with
100% accuracy which is best available in market .
The study reveals many facts that have come up during my project and these facts
can either be used as opportunities in exploring and expanding the business as well as can
be used as safeguards against threats by the competitions. To prepare an effective
marketing strategy a company must study it s competitors as well as its actual and
potential retailer. A company should maintain good relation with their distributors and
retailers keeping in view competitive orientation in today’s global market. Company
should neither put much emphasis on competitors positioning nor should it solely
concentrate on its own products and policy. Rather it should find midway between these
two extremes and adopt flexible policy. Companies should manage a good balance of
declares retailer, consumer & competitors monitoring .
The information will prove beneficial in taking proactive action for combating
competition .the standing of the company and its competitors in the mind off the retailer
in a vital factor in deciding the success of business the study also aims at finding out the
21
market share in term of their sale, product penetration demand etc which is adjusted by
retailer. This information is good guide to management as it brings out the strength of the
competition their product penetration, product demand their promotion policy, which
gives an overview where the company needs to improve. This study basically aimed at
providing the management desired vital information about the market situation.
This evaluation is also concerned with the competitiveness of Indian steel industries in
foreign market. These evaluations are based on the kind of efforts that the Indian steel
industries are making and generating desired results for maximum performance.
To study the role of Indian Steel Industry in the contribution to National Income.
To evaluate the present marketing strategy and key attributes help to enhance the
efficiency of Steel Industry.
To know the export capacity of Indian steel industry to enhance national income.
This study can be applied to find out an effective role of steel industries related to
other economic sectors in India.
From the present study we can know the market share of different Steel firms and
accordingly formulated strategy to enhance it.
The present study can be extended to assess the present marketing condition of
different Steel Plants.
22
The study can be used to design a proper product, price, place & promotional strategy
for the by-products of different Steel Plants.
The author has carried out a research which is both qualitative and quantitative in its
support. The qualitative approach applies to both, descriptive and inductive forms of
research. While as in case of quantitative approach, an extensive use has been made of
the literature available to carry out a detail research on the nature of the problem. The
author has chosen SAIL & TATA Steel as the target companies in particular.
A combination of both primary and secondary resources have been used to achieve the
aims and objectives of this report
Secondary Research
The secondary sources of data consists of books for an academic perspective, industry
journals, magazines for competitive strategy, annual reports, government publications
and views of other authors.
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Analysis
The results of the questionnaire were analyzed using graphs and charts and a trend on the
internal working of the organization were marked out. This allowed reaching conclusions
on the issue as to whether the internal operations of the organization are conducive for
growth or not.
The results of the interviews would allow us to go in-depth into the marketing policies of
the organization and would allow us to link it to the future competitive position.
Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis shall be done by using appropriate means
which complies with both academic and professional standards.
24
2.6 LIMITATIONS & DIFFICULTIES
In such a short span of time it is very difficult to study the whole personnel functions
or a/c of the organization.
Apart from this there were lots of other problems encountered during the research
work. The officials were very hesitant and reluctant to give interviews and answers to
questions of investigators.
25
CHAPTER 3
CONCEPTUAL
DISCUSSION
26
In this chapter the author has discussed and critically analyzed the literature related to
competitive dimensions & advantages which are crucial in modern economic
environment. The effective marketing strategies of SAIL to attain competitive advantage
have also been discussed here. Techno-economic parameters, cost effectiveness, human
resource management issues, Research & Development, environment management,
public relations, cost competitiveness, quality competitiveness, all these issues in regard
to steel sector in India have been discussed in length. This section also discusses the
policies of marketing and strategic planning as well as the demand for steel and its
relevance to national economy.
Given the choices that customers face today, how do they decide which product or
service to buy? Different customers are attracted by different attributes. Some customers
are primarily interested in the cost of a product or service, and correspondingly some
companies attempt to position themselves to offer the lowest price. The major
competitive dimensions that form the competitive position of a company include the
following.
Cost – “Make it cheap” Within every industry, there is usually a segment of the market
that buys solely on the basis of low cost. To successfully compete in this niche, a firm
must be the low cost producer, but even doing this does not always guarantee profitability
and success.
Product quality and reliability – “Make it good”. Quality can be divided into two
categories: product quality and process quality. The level of quality in a product’s design
will vary with the market segment at which it is aimed. Obviously, a child’s first two
wheeled bicycle is of significantly different quality than the bicycle of a world class
cyclist. The goal in establishing the proper level of product quality is to focus on the
requirements of the customer. Over-designed products with too much quality will be
viewed as prohibitively expensive. Under-designed products, on the other hand, will lose
27
customers to products that cost a little more but are perceived by the customers as
offering greater value.
Process quality is critical because it relates directly to the reliability of the product.
Regardless of whether the product is a child’s first two wheeler or a bicycle for an
international cyclist, customers want products without defects. Thus, the goal of process
quality is to produce error free products.
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According to a report published in Times of India (2007) SAIL had received ‘excellent’
rating for achieving targets set in the MOU with the Government for the year 2005-06.
Considering the sustained growth demonstrated by the company during 2006-07, a
similar rating is expected this year as well. During 2005-06, while maintaining capacity
utilisation at 104%, the company focused on the production of finished steel, lower
energy consumption and reduction in coke rate, increased production through the
continuous cast (CC) route and improved the product mix during 2006-07.
Despite the market remained buoyant, the rising steel production worldwide put
tremendous pressure on availability of essential inputs like coking coal. Despite facing a
severe coking coal crisis during the first half of 2006-07, however, the SAIL plants
achieved all-time best performance by optimising operations and laying a thrust on value
addition in downstream units such as production of finished steel, plates, rails, structural
steel, etc., total finished steel production went up by 4 lakh tones to a record level of 9.28
million tonnes (MT), a growth of 5% over the previous year. The proportion of finished
steel production in total steel went up to 84% during 2006-07 from a level of 80%
achieved in 2005-06. The SAIL plants showed marginal increase in production of crude
steel as well as saleable steel – 21,000 tonnes and 4,000 tonnes respectively.
The four main integrated steel plants of SAIL produced a record 7.53 MT of steel through
the concast route during the year. This was 4% higher than the CC production of the
previous year. As a result, the proportion of BOF-CC production went up to 64% of total
crude steel production. In fact, 2006-07 save best-ever average capacity utilisation of
continuous casting facilities at 125%. Production of value-added items like plates, bars &
rounds and railway products recorded growth. Plate production at 2.12 MT was the
highest ever, with a growth of 15% Bhilai steel plant also produced 864,00 tonnes of
rails, the highest so far and 7% more than the production in 2005-06. The first
consignment of 65-meter long rails welded into 130-meter panels was dispatched by BSP
to the Indian Railways during the year. Production of wheels &axels by Durgapur Steel
Plant at 29,000 tonnes was the highest ever and 38% more than that of 2005-06.
29
The long product plants also produced the highest-ever volume of 5.4 lakh tonnes of bar
& rounds during the year recording a growth of 8%. A total of 6 lakh tonnes of structurals
were produced by SAIL in 2006-07, 3% higher than the previous year and the highest so
far. The three special steel plants of SAIL at Durgapuri, Salem and Bhadravati together
produced 3.79 lakh tonnes of saleable steel, the highest ever and 27% more than their
achievement of 2005-06, contributing substantially to the company’s cumulative
production performance. The total iron ore requirement of the SAIL plants was met from
captive sources. The company’s mines produced 19.83 MT of iron ore, the highest ever,
during the year. The mines of Raw Materials Division in the eastern part of the country
together produced nearly 13 MT of iron ore, showing a growth of around 1.2% over the
previous year and setting a record. While all the RMD mines registered best-ever yearly
output, Barusa Iron Mine deserves special mention for showing highest growth of 14.5%
with a production volume of 1,341,000 tonnes.
The special thrust laid by RMD during 2006-07 on quality enhancement measures and
cost reduction resulted in better productivity and effective mitigation of the company’s
variable input costs. Among the various steps taken by RMD to enhance efficiency were
better mine planning, development of mines in new areas, improved processing facilities,
and replacement of old heavy earthmoving machinery with new equipment. Adoption of
various cost cutting measures led to substantial savings. During 2006-07, SAIL became
the first industrial enterprise in the country to wheel surplus power from one of its captive
units to another through the national grid. Generation of power by the captive power units
at 525 MW was also the highest ever, showing a growth of 6% over 2005-06
Techno-economic parameters
Coke rate: Lowest ever rate of 536 kg/tonne of hot metal was achieved during the year,
an improvement of 1% over 2005-06.
Refractory consumption: At 16.7 kg/tonne of crude steel, was lowest ever, 9% lower
than the consumption in 2005-06, due to significant increase in BOF lining and ladle life
at all the plants.
30
Energy consumption: The SAIL plants together consumed only 7.28 giga calories per
tonne of crude steel on an average, which was 2% lower than the previous year, in spite
of the increase in production of value-added steel which consumes higher energy.
Cost Effectiveness
Economic Times states that the thrust on improving efficiency of cost management
launched by SAIL during the downturn in the steel sector continued during the year 2005.
New schemes were identified and existing schemes reviewed and revised to offset the
impact of the sharp rise in input prices, particularly in the case of coking coal, Ferro
alloys, etc., during the year, resulting in savings of about Rs. 130 crore. SAIL’s cost
management endeavours once again received recognition at the national level. The
Institute of Cost & Works Accountants of India adjudged SAIL as being the second best
company in the public sector in India during 2005 in this parameter and presented the
company its National Award for Excellence in Cost Management. SAIL had received the
winner’s trophy last year for excellence in cost reduction during 2004.
Marketing Muscle
The consumption of finished steel in the country is estimated to have crossed the 33 MT
mark during 2006-07 a growth of about 6% over the previous year. In line with the
increased level of consumption, SAIL established a new domestic sales record of 10.3
MT, an increase of 8% over the achievement of the previous year. To ensure higher
availability of steel in the domestic market, SAIL consciously contained exports at a
minimum level during the year. The company shipped only about 4 lakh tonnes of steel
during the year against 11 lakh tonnes in 2003-04. SAIL sold a total volume of 8.6 MT of
finished steel during 2006-07 recording a growth of 8%. The major product categories in
which sales growth took place were plates (32%), HR coils (8%), TMT (30%), wheels &
axles (33%) and heavy structurals (20%). Supplies of rails to the Indian Railways
increased by 5% over the previous year to 7.3 lakh tonnes, including long rails up to a
length of 78 meters.
31
A thrust was given on supplying steel on priority to user segments of national importance
such as government, PSUs (public sector undertakings) and state small scale industry
corporations (SSICs). As a result, there was a 25% increase in supplies of SAIL steel to
the government sector and 65% to SSICs. Along with 40% higher supplies to projects,
SAIL was able to hike supplies to consumers by 17% during the year on an overall basis.
During the year, all the branches, stockyards and offices of CMO were linked to a
centralised database. This helped in online availability of data, consistent data integrity
and seamless information flow across all applications, leading to increased efficiency in
serving customers.
Around 4,700 employees separated from the company during FY ’07, around 1,440
voluntarily. SAIL’s total manpower at the end of the year thus stood at around 127,000,
showing a reduction of about 48,000 since 1998. The company’s labour productivity
grew by 4% to 142 tones/man/year in 2006-07. To equip employees with higher technical
skills, SAIL has signed an agreement with Tata-Corus/UK and CAI/Austria for provision
of specialised training.
Sharing of prosperity with employees was a major management thrust during 2006-07.
Among the initiatives taken in this regard were payment of wage/salary arrears for the
period 1.1.1997 – 31.12.2000, restoration of earned leave encashment, enhancement in
conveyance expenses, mining allowance, reimbursement of night shift expenses,
enhanced incentive payments, etc. A rolling trophy was introduced to encourage
management excellence amongst young managers of the company. A team from Bhilai
Steel Plant lifted the inaugural Chairman’s Trophy for Young Managers for the year 2004
from amongst 130 contesting teams across the organisation. Ten SAIL employees were
selected by the Ministry of Labour for the nation’s highest awards recognising
exceptional achievements of workmen for the year 2007. Three BSP employees will
receive the Shram Vir shile 7 employees (5 from BSP and 2 from VISL) will receive the
Shrem Shri title later this year.
32
Research & Development
The development measures at SAIL projects at SAIL focus on process improvement, cost
competitiveness, product quality, product development and basic research for
improvement in techno-economic parameters to increase capacity utilisation. Major
initiatives aimed at cost competitiveness included:
Improvement in lining life of converter to 2,000 heats in SMS-II at RSP including steel
ladles at RSP & BSP by technological initiatives
Raising productivity of DSP Sinter Plant to 1.36 tonnes/m/hr (peak 1.6 tonnes)
Technological initiatives like hot charging of wheels, modification of ingot design, etc.,
helped in record production of wheels & excles at DSP
Reduction in HSM roll spalling at BSL
Measures to obtain increased campaign length and reduced roll consumption at BSL.
Installation of automation of hot saws in BSP’s Rail & Structural Mill
Environment Management
33
million trees have been planted so far by SAIL at different plant/unit/mine locations. The
SAIL plants/units maintained their thrust on controlling pollution during the year. Some
of them even received awards for excellence in pollution control measures. They are:
Gold award in metal sector for outstanding achievement in environment management for
2003-04 by Greentech Foundation/New Delhi to BSP and RSP
Indira Gandhi Memorial National Award for Excellent Environment and Ecological
Implementation Gold Award by IGS to Barsua Iron Mine.
Public Relations
Cost competitiveness
According to Annual Report of SAIL published in March 2007, the following cost
reduction measures are adopted in SAIL to gain competitive advantage:-
34
(a) Reduction in fixed cost through volume growth, reduction in manpower cost and
financial charges;
Quality competitiveness:
SAIL also emphasize on technology & input quality improvement across value chain;
thrust on special quality steel and new products; improvement in process consistency and
metal treatment; advanced online testing and quality control facilities;
standardization/automation/process control & IT. Corporate Plan-2012 has considered the
market growth projections assuming overall steel consumption at about 8% per annum.
However, the growth trends and macro-economic indicators could lead to higher growth
potential. Therefore, depending on the market growth, strategies of competitors, global
economic scenario, government policies and resource availability, SAIL’s plans may be
revised from time to time, and further growth in terms of volume, products, etc., may be
aimed through Greenfield investments, acquisitions/mergers etc. The current plan
provides the broad direction for SAIL to move forward and would be reviewed
periodically.
Sinha (2007) categorically states the clinical marketing strategies adopted by SAIL,
according to Sinha (2007), the Steel being an industrial commodity it is very necessary to
maintain customer relationship for profitability and smooth running of company. SAIL
adopts following practices for customer satisfaction.
35
Procedure / process adapted to access current / future expectation of customers.
CMO has Market Management Group where specialists monitor changing demand
pattern and development in each Market segment is carried on.
It has posted market development officers at various locations that are its eyes and
ears for monitoring current and future expectation of its customer.
Market Development
SAIL has valued customers group in identifying their specific needs specific to that group
thus segmenting and developing market segment for our products. Major product
modifications are done as per their specific needs of the Market segment thereby creating
product differentiation packages.
JIT Delivery
JIT Delivery means just in time delivery. SAIL is able to make delivery just in time
because it works in pre-planned manner; it takes order only after consulting the
production units. So that the products car be delivered in right time.
36
SAIL is always in touch in market and tries to produce according to market needs. SAIL
tries to produce quality products / new products which full fill the need of market.
SAIL has responsible function in the working of marketing department. All the risky
developments, taking out solution to crippled situations, this section carries out product
pricing and related activities, some of the programmes, policies and procedures are as
follows :-
Finalize annual sales plan and quantity, monthly, weekly, and daily rolling
programme of Rolling mills in consultation with CMO and mills. This plan is based
on the sales forecast receive from JPU SPL/ Iron and steel controller.
Optimizing the product-mix by proper utilization of available stocks.
Receiving Enquiries and complaints, cancellation of orders etc.
Coordinating the works of mills and traffic department so as to maximize dispatches.
Co-ordinations with CMO from stages of enquiry, for exports, development of new
Profiles, sections, modification of product scheduling till the orders are completed.
Development of new qualities of steel.
Periodical market surveys of products to analyze the market position.
Implementation of suggestions received from the customers feed bock.
Ensure customer satisfaction by meeting customers regularly; provide redressal to
their problems and fulfillment of demand.
37
before. The domestic demand for steel also registered a growth rate of 6 percent and grew
from 27 million toes in 2001-02 to 29 million tons in 2002-03. The most spectacular
achievement has, however, been recorded in export performance. Export of finished steel
from India increased by a whopping 37 percent from 2.7 million tons in 2001-02 to 3.7
million tons in 2002-03. In addition, significant improvement was noted in the exports of
semi-finished steel, stainless steel and pig iron. All these favorable trends have been
reflected in the improved profitability of the major steel markets in both the public and
private sectors.
The biggest success story has been that of TISCO, which has recorded an increase of 391
percent in its profit during this fiscal compared to the previous year. ESSAR’s balance
sheet has been in the black after a long time, while other major steel markers nave
reduced their losses significantly. The fact that such an improvement has come at the
time of intense global competition and worrisome proliferation of non-tariff barriers in
the development world, speaks volumes about the resilience, the innovativeness and,
above all, the competitive spirit of the Indian exporters of steel. The dexterity, with which
the Indian exporters diversified their destination markets, modified the composition of
their export basket to suit the changing global demand profile, affected sizable reduction
in production in production costs and adoption of state-of-the art technologies provides
ample testimony to the maturity of this industry. From highly protected inward-looking
industry of the pre-liberalization years it has matures into a modern and globally
integrated industry in an astonishingly short span of time.
The evolution of steel industry can be divided into three distinct phases. The first phase
commenced with pioneering efforts of the lateJamsetji Nusserwanji Tata who laid the
foundation of modern steel industry in India by establishing a steel plant at Jamshedpur
(Tata Iron and Steel Co.) in 1906 in the face of sever odds. Despite initial difficulties, the
company underwent continuous expansion achieving 8% average annual growth rate of
capacity during first 30 years. In 1918, the Indian iron and steel company (IISCO) was
founded by British interests in Bengal. At first IISCO restricted it self to the manufacture
of big iron primarily for export to Great Britain. In1926, The steel corporation of Bengal
was formed which under took the construction of a steel mill adjacent to their blast
38
furnaces. Another small plant at Bhadravati in Mysore was founded in 1918 to produce
charcoal pig iron. In the mid thirties it added facilities to manufacture steel. In the context
of development, which was taking place in the rest of the world, their efforts could be
considered creditable. At the end of Second World War, India had a capacity if 1.5
million tones, 1 percent of the world’s production
The second phase began immediately after independence. it was clear that if economic
independence was to be achieved after political independence and low standard of living
of masses was to be raised, a much more accelerated industrial growth was essential. For
providing the infrastructure base, even in the First Five Year Plan, new steel plants were
planned. It was decided to set up simultaneously three steel plants. An agreement was
signed on 2 February 1955 with the Government of USSR for assistance in establishing
one million tones steel plant at Bhiali. Germany agreed to assist in setting up a million
tones steel at Rourkela and Britain offered to help in founding a million tones plant at
Durgapur. However, efforts to obtain assistance from the USA to set up a plant in Bihar
did not yield results. About the same time it was decided to expend TISCO and IISCO to
a capacity of 2 million tones, 1 million tones respectively. Thus the Second Five Year
Plan saw the most striking progress in steel industry. During this period different units in
the steel plants were progressively commissioned increasing the installed capacity from
about 1.5 to 6 million tones. In the Third Five Year plan, capacity of 3 public sector steel
plants were further increased – Rourkela from 1 to 1.8 million tones, Bhilai from 1 to
1.25 million tones and Durgapur from 1 to 1.1.6 million tones – thus giving a six fold
boost to the capacity existing at the time of independence.
The third phase began with the decision to set up the fourth public sector steel plant at
Bokaro. Right from the beginning Bokaro was conceived as India’s first steel plant with
indigenous equipment, material and technological know-how. The government of USSR
offered technical and financial assistance and the inter governmental agreement signed on
25th January 1965 envisaged that Bokaro will have maximum Indian efforts.
Presently, with the expansion of existing steel plant, particularly Bhilai upto 4 mt.
expansion and Bokaro upto 4.7 mt expansion. There are 2 million ingot tones of mild
steel plants, each at Vijaynagar in Mysore and Viskhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and an
39
alloy steel plant at Salem in Tamilnadu with a capacity of two hundred thousand tones of
finished steel. Facilities have been provided for ultimate expansion of Bhilai Steel Plant
to 7.5 million tones and Bokaro Steel Plant to 10 million tones, besides plans for
expansion of other steel plant.
India had to depend largely on foreign countries in regard to technology, equipment and
consultancy service for its steel programme in fifties and sixties. In order to reduce this
dependence, large capacity steel plant equipment-manufacturing unit was set up in Heavy
Engineering Corporation in Ranchi. This was supported by other industries in public
sector like Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL), Mining and Allied Machinery
Corporation Ltd. (MAMC), Bharat Heavy Plants and Vends Ltd.(BHPVL), Instrumental
Limited (IL), Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT), Garden Reach Shipbuilders and
Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), Jessops, Braithwaite and many other leading industries in public
and private sector
To ensure proper expertise for construction of steel plant the Hindustan Steel Works
Construction Ltd. (HSCL) was set up. In the field of consultancy service Metallurgical &
Engineering Consultant (India) Limited (MECON) and M. N. Dastur & Company
(Dasturco) were developed. Efforts were also made to standardize major items of
equipment thus providing the advantage of repeat manufacture by using the same design,
documentation, engineering, thereby ensuring early deliveries and lower costs. The
standardization of steel plant and equipment, however, did not mean freezing the
technological levels as development in operational scales; sound maintenance and
improvement in the preparation of inputs play vital roles. It was therefore, necessary to
freeze the design at a certain stage of development and then improve on them. The
Japanese steel industry, which has made great stride, had also worked on this pattern in
its earlier stages.
The Indian steel industry has thus developed from a small capacity of 1.3 million
tones of ingot steel in 1974 to 14.6 millions in 1988-89. Certain chance in strategy of
development is called for in order to regain the quantum to growth without which the
economic development would suffer.
40
CHAPTER 4
DATA ANALYSIS
AND
INTERPRETATION
41
DATA ANALYSIS
PART-1
QUESTIONNAIRE ANALYSIS SAIL OFFICIALS
5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5 TATA STEEL
2 JINDAL STEEL
1.5 ESSAR STEEL
1 SAIL
0.5
0
Fig. 1
42
Q2. How would you rate your companies’ competitiveness in relation to the
industry?
Less Competitive
Moderately Competitive
Very Competitive
4.5
3.5
2.5
0.5
0
TATA STEEL SAIL
Fig. 2
43
Q3. Do you think being a public sector company is a hurdle for the growth of the
company?
Yes
No
70%
60%
50%
40%
yes
30%
no
20%
10%
0%
SAIL
yes 30%
no 70%
Fig. 3
44
Q4. In your opinion is your company ready to expand overseas like other Indian
steel companies?
Yes
No
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40% yes
30%
no
20%
10%
0%
T AT A ST EEL SAIL
Fig. 4
45
Q5. What affect do the government policies have on the company?
Positive
Negative
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
positive
30% negative
20%
10%
0%
T AT A ST EEL SAIL
Fig. 5
46
Q6. What affect will the opening up of the Indian steel sector will have on the
future of your company?
Positive
Negative
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
positive
30% negative
20%
10%
0%
T AT A ST EEL SAIL
Fig. 6
47
Q7. In your opinion, which style of leadership does your company have?
Autocratic
Moderate
Democratic
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
Autocratic
15% Moderate
10% Democratic
5%
0%
T AT A ST EEL SAIL
Fig. 7
48
Q8. How are the atmosphere and the environment at work?
Very Tensed
Tensed
Moderate
Relaxed
Very Relaxed
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
very tensed
15% tensed
10% moderate
5% relaxed
0% very relaxed
T AT A ST EEL SAIL
Fig. 8
49
Q9. How would you rate the turnover rate in your organization?
Very High
High
Medium
Low
Very Low
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
very high
15% high
10% medium
5% low
0% very low
T AT A ST EEL SAIL
Fig. 9
50
Q10. Does the company offer you opportunities for growth and advancement of
your career?
Yes
No
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
yes
30% no
20%
10%
0%
T AT A ST EEL SAIL
Fig. 10
51
Q11. According to you how is the culture of the organization?
Conducive for growth
Hinders Growth
70%
60%
50%
40%
conducive for
30% growth
20% hinders growth
10%
0%
T AT A ST EEL SAIL
Fig. 11
52
Q12. What does your company think about its customers?
Customer is king
Customer is Important
Customers are just Customers
70%
60%
50%
40%
consumer is king
30%
20% consumer is
important
10% consumers are just
0%
important
T AT A ST EEL SAIL
Fig. 12
53
Q13. Does your company reward you for your performance?
Yes
No
Sometimes
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
yes
30% no
20%
10%
0%
T AT A ST EEL SAIL
Fig. 13
54
Q14. Does your company have a clear and defined future goal?
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40% yes
30%
no
20%
10%
0%
T AT A ST EEL SAIL
Fig. 14
55
Q15. How clear are authority and responsibility relationships defined in your
organization?
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
5%
0%
T AT A ST EEL SAIL
Fig. 15
56
Q16. Do you own the shares of your company?
Yes
No
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
yes
30% no
20%
10%
0%
T AT A ST EEL SAIL
Fig. 16
57
Q17. If yes, then are you happy with the dividend payouts?
1 2 3 4 5
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40% yes
30%
no
20%
10%
0%
T AT A ST EEL SAIL
Fig. 17
58
Q18. In your opinion how has been the performance of your companies stock in
the recent past?
1 2 3 4 5
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
good
very good
10%
satisfactory
5% outstanding
0%
T AT A ST EEL SAIL
Fig. 18
59
Q19. Would you invest money in your own companies stock?
Yes
No
70%
60%
50%
40%
30% yes
no
20%
10%
0%
T AT A ST EEL SAIL
Fig. 19
60
Q20. The future is very competitive; do you think your organization is ready to
face the competition?
1 2 3 4 5
70%
60%
50%
40%
30% yes
no
20%
10%
0%
T AT A ST EEL SAIL
Fig. 20
61
PART-2
QUESTIONNAIRE ANALYSIS CUSTOMERS
Q1. Do you agree that the steel industry in India is witnessing an industrial and
market boom?
Yes -------------------------------------------------- 75 per cent
No ---------------------------------------------------- 12 per cent
Do not know/ Can not say -------------------------- 13 per cent
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Fig. 21
Interpretation:
The above response reflects that the rolling steel industry in India is presently witnessing
an industrial and a market boom.
62
Q2. What factors contribute the most to the boom in this segment of market?
Growth in infrastructure projects ---------------------- 26 per cent
Liberalisation of the economy -------------------------- 50 per cent
Special policy measures of the government ----------- 12 per cent
Other factors ----------------------------------------------- 05 per cent
Do not know/ Can not say -------------------------------- 07 per cent
50%
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Fig. 22
Interpretation:
The liberalisation of the economy is the key to the boom. In India demand is being driven
up by mammoth infrastructure projects, like the construction of dams, ports, power
plants, railways and motorways.
63
Q3. What is the awareness of SAIL in steel market?
Good ------------------------------------ 36 per cent
O.K. -------------------------------------- 47 per cent
Poor -------------------------------------- 11 per cent
Do not know/ Can not say --------------- 05 per cent
50%
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Fig. 23
Interpretation:
The awareness level in the market about the SAIL products is quite good.
64
Q4. How do you see the export market of SAIL in the world steel market?
Competitive in the world market ------------------------- 32 per cent
Is in a survival state ---------------------------------------- 23 per cent
Insignificant in the world market --------------------------- 12 per cent
Do not know/ Can not say ---------------------------------- 33 per cent
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Fig. 24
Interpretation:
The export market of SAIL (India), if we go by the views of the respondents, has a
significant presence in the world export market.
65
Q5. Do you agree that increase in SAIL’s export was one of the main reasons for
the recent expansion in global of steel market?
Yes -------------------------------------------- 67 per cent
No ----------------------------------------------- 10 per cent
Do not know/ Can not say -------------------- 23 per cent
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Fig. 25
Interpretation:
The industrial expansion of SAIL in terms of production and market is more or less
driven by the export drive of the market in general and the industry in particular.
66
Q6. Which are the major export markets of your company?
The company exports more than 40 percent of its production to countries like
China, Middle-East, Europe and the U.S. etc. The export growth is driven by in
house development of low Nickel ‘J’ series rolling steel. The company has also a
strong presence in certain overseas markets for its thin cold rolled strips and coils
for a variety of scientific and industrial usage.
67
Q7. Do you agree that the Indian Steel market is growing at a fast pace and
thereby attracts foreign investors and market leaders?
Yes ------------------------------------------------- 86 per cent
No --------------------------------------------------- 06 per cent
Do not know/ Can not say ----------------------- 08 per cent
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Fig. 26
Interpretation:
The fast growing Indian rolling steel market provided good market opportunities for
rolling steelmakers, and attracted many domestic and foreign investors’ attention. It is a
fact that the Indian rolling steel industry is being developed very fast in recent years.
68
Q8. What are the marketing strategies adopted by SAIL in both the domestic and
international market?
Product Expansion ------------------------------ 45 per cent
Strengthening the export strategy -------------- 30 per cent
To create demand for our products -------------- 12 per cent
Other measures ---------------------------------------02 per cent
Do not know/ Can not say -------------------------- 01 per cent
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Fig. 27
Interpretation:
The Steel makers are resorting to product expansion for strengthening their domestic and
overseas market. Besides the above stated measure, the companies are also working in
the direction of building a competitive marketing strategy and creating domestic demand
for their products.
69
Q9. What are the impediments to improve the export potential of SAIL?
Structural impediments ---------------------------------- 46 per cent
Tariff related issues ---------------------------------------- 17 per cent
Unstructured market ------------------------------------- 20 per cent
Other factors ---------------------------------------------- 10 per cent
Do not know/ can not say -------------------------------- 07 per cent
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Structural impediments Tariff related issues
Unstructured market Other factors
Do not know/ can not say
Fig. 28
Interpretation:
India is a large and growing consumer of steel products, making it a net importer. India is
struggling to fix a myriad of structural and performance problems that threaten its rolling
steel industry: industry fragmentation, poor product quality, low labor productivity, an
overly narrow product range (concentrated at the low, value-added end of the market),
growing domestic demand and supply imbalances and obsolete plant and equipment. The
industry remains grossly inefficient, technologically backward and unable to meet
adequately the ever-changing needs of the market.
70
Q10. How do you see the future of SAIL in India?
Bright future ahead ------------------------------ 23 per cent
Competitive --------------------------------------- 50 per cent
Future is not good --------------------------------- 05 per cent
Do not know/ can not say ------------------------- 22 per cent
50%
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Fig. 29
Interpretation:
Despite an increase in production costs, SAIL has been successful in improving its
operating profit per ton on an absolute basis, due to consistent improvement in product-
mix.
71
CHAPTER 5
FINDINGS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
72
Evaluation of Marketing Strategy of SAIL
Marketing is the process of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion
and distribution of ideas, goods and services to create and exchange that satisfy
individual and organizational objective. The marketing concept requires that customer
satisfaction rather than profit maximization is the goal of the organization. In other
words, the organization should be consumer oriented and should try to understand
consumer’s requirement and satisfy them quickly and efficiently, in way that are
beneficial to both organization and the consumer. This means that any research
organization should try to obtain information on consumer need and gather marketing
intelligence to help and satisfy these needs efficiently.
One of the major tasks in researching a market is to estimate it’s a current decisions hang
on these estimates whether the market demand upon in future to justify the market entry.
Once a company enters a market segment in order to allocate it resources effectively.
Thus we can see that demand estimate is essential in carrying out three important
functions: -
A market is a set of all actual and potential buyer of a product. The actual or, available
market is a set of buyer who has interest and access to a particular market offer. If the
organization is not satisfied with its current sales or has some expansion plans, it could
try to attract a large percentage of people from its served market by promoting the
73
product to available market. Untimely it could try to expend the potential market by
launching the campaign to convert uninterested buyer into interested buyer.
BY PRODUCT: In the steel industries we heated the coke we get some gas and tar
product such as Ammonia, Tar, Benzene etc. These products are unwanted but we can’t
leave them vain. Because they are profitable as well as harmful for the environment and
industries. So we go through the certain process and made some valuable product.
Example: - When Bokaro heat the coke we get ammonia gas, we mix it in the sulfuric
acid and made ammonia sulphate that use as a fertilizer with brand name RAJA.
SECONDARY PRODUCT: In the process of making core project some defective come
out. Because of some of break down and some mechanical default. We also get some
scrap in the process of making cutting sheets. These secondary products are process from
the beginning or sold through the auction and lot sale.
For a nation that is economically strong, free of the problems of underdevelopment and
plays a meaningful role in the world as befits a nation of over one billion people, the
groundwork would have to begin right now. The Indian Steel Industry will be required
and is willing to play a critical role in achieving this target.
The findings from above data and interpretations thereof are as follows:
With abundant iron ore resources and well-established base for steel production in the
country, steel is poised for growth in the coming decades in India. Production has
increased from 17 MT in 1990 to 36 MT in 2003 and 66 MT is targeted for 2011. In this
way steel industry is contributing much in national income at a high pace.
In budget 2004-05, the customer duty on non-alloy steel was reduced steel from 15% to
10% and on alloy steel from 20% to 15%. Further, custom duty on several raw materials
74
used by the steel sector like non-coking coal, met coke and nickel has been reduced to
5% and on coking coal to zero. So government is also coming forward to make Indian
steel industry a global hub.
Marketing is one of the most dynamic fields in any business along with finance,
production and operations, Human resource management and systems. Its orientation
needs to be handled carefully as it is only through integration of marketing with other
fields that makes an organization successful or face the odds. Indian steel industry is also
concentrating on its marketing activities.
POLICY IMPLICATION
There are some steps need to be taken to help the Indian Steel Industry achieve its
potential which is as follows:
Steel is yet to touch the lives of millions of people in India. Per capita consumption of
steel in India is only 29 kg and has to go a long way to reach consumption levels of
around 400 kg in developed countries like USA and world average of 140 kg.
There is a need to continue the current thrust on infrastructure related activities and
extend them to rural India. Rural Indian today presents a challenge for development of
the country and the opportunity to increase usage of steel in these areas through projects
such as rural housing etc.
Current shortage of inputs has pushed up the costs for the steel industry. Government
should ensure that quality raw material such iron-ore and coke are available to the
industry. With Ministry of Steel targeting an output of 100 MT of steel by 2020 there is
an urgent need to develop raw material resources for inputs like iron-ore and coal within
or outside the country. Countries like Japan have already taken similar steps to safeguard
their industries.
Adequate enabling infrastructure such as power, ports, roads, rail transport is pre-
requisite for the Indian steel industry to remain competitive.
75
Government should not regulate prices and free market forces should prevail.
Intervention by the Government is only a short-term solution to the issue of steel prices in
the country. Once left alone, market dynamics will automatically ensure price corrections
and determine the optimum price of steel.
The Indian steel Industry is amongst the least protected in the world. While developed
countries have put numerous tariff and non-tariff barriers on steel exports from the
country, the domestic industry is exposed to cheaper imports from competing nations. As
in case of other important industries, the Government should give reasonable levels of
protection to the domestic steel industry, which is just starting to get back on its feet.
Industry should be allowed to have a fair return on investment and contribute to the
overall health of the Indian manufacturing segment. The steel industry has invested a
capital of over Rs 90, 000 crores. CRISIL in a recent study has concluded that given the
large exposure that banks and financial institutions have to the steel industry, a healthy
steel sector is in the interest of the economy. Steel industry still continues to be
unattractive for investors.
Today, Indian producers employ world-class standards of technology. Steel from Indian
finds growing acceptability in international markets. But despite this India’s share in
world trade steel is a miniscule 2%. Given the capabilities of the Indian steel industry
there is tremendous scope to increase this share further. While the steel industry will
continue servicing the domestic demand there is a lot of untapped export potential with
the industry.
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INDIAN 2020: A VISION FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM
"We still have a number of persons in our country in SAIL, TISCO and other big and
small steel plants who have the capabilities. They have the will to excel and transform the
country, given a long term vision."
"We should be ready to compete in outside markets…..If our steel industry gears up in
about 3 to 4 years, Indian steel can be both in Indian and foreign markets. Our vision
should be towards this."
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SUGGESTIONS
There is a need to continue the current thrust on infrastructure related activities and
extend them to rural India. Rural Indian today presents a challenge for development of
the country and the opportunity to increase usage of steel in these areas through projects
such as rural housing etc.
Current shortage of inputs has pushed up the costs for the steel industry. Government
should ensure that quality raw material such iron-ore and coke are available to the
industry. With Ministry of Steel targeting an output of 100 MT of steel by 2020 there is
an urgent need to develop raw material resources for inputs like iron-ore and coal within
or outside the country. Countries like Japan have already taken similar steps to safeguard
their industries.
Adequate enabling infrastructure such as power, ports, roads, rail transport is pre-
requisite for the Indian steel industry to remain competitive.
Government should not regulate prices and free market forces should prevail.
Intervention by the Government is only a short-term solution to the issue of steel prices in
the country. Once left alone, market dynamics will automatically ensure price corrections
and determine the optimum price of steel.
The Indian steel Industry is amongst the least protected in the world. While developed
countries have put numerous tariff and non-tariff barriers on steel exports from the
country, the domestic industry is exposed to cheaper imports from competing nations. As
in case of other important industries, the Government should give reasonable levels of
protection to the domestic steel industry, which is just starting to get back on its feet.
Industry should be allowed to have a fair return on investment and contribute to the
overall health of the Indian manufacturing segment. The steel industry has invested a
capital of over Rs 90, 000 crores. CRISIL in a recent study has concluded that given the
large exposure that banks and financial institutions have to the steel industry, a healthy
78
steel sector is in the interest of the economy. Steel industry still continues to be
unattractive for investors.
Today, Indian producers employ world-class standards of technology. Steel from Indian
finds growing acceptability in international markets. But despite this India’s share in
world trade steel is a miniscule 2%. Given the capabilities of the Indian steel industry
there is tremendous scope to increase this share further. While the steel industry will
continue servicing the domestic demand there is a lot of untapped export potential with
the industry.
79
APPENDIX
80
APPENDIX
PART-1
QUESTIONNAIRE SAIL OFFICIALS
81
Q7. In your opinion, which style of leadership does your company have?
Autocratic
Moderate
Democratic
Q8. How are the atmosphere and the environment at work?
Very Tensed
Tensed
Moderate
Relaxed
Q9. How would you rate the turnover rate in your organization?
Very High
High
Medium
Low
Q10. Does the company offer you opportunities for growth and advancement of
your career?
Yes
No
Q11. According to you how is the culture of the organization?
Conducive for growth
Hinders Growth
Q12. What does your company think about its customers?
Customer is king
Customer is Important
Customers are just Customers
Q13. Does your company reward you for your performance?
Yes
No
Sometimes
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Q14. Does your company have a clear and defined future goal?
Q15. How clear are authority and responsibility relationships defined in your
organization?
Q16. Do you own the shares of your company?
Yes
No
Q17. If yes, then are you happy with the dividend payouts?
1 2 3 4 5
Q18. In your opinion how has been the performance of your companies stock in
the recent past?
1 2 3 4 5
Q19. Would you invest money in your own companies stock?
Yes
No
Q20. The future is very competitive; do you think your organization is ready to
face the competition?
1 2 3 4 5
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PART-2
QUESTIONNAIRE CUSTOMERS
Q1. Do you agree that the steel industry in India is witnessing an industrial and
market boom?
Yes -------------------------------------------------- 75 per cent
No ---------------------------------------------------- 12 per cent
Do not know/ Can not say -------------------------- 13 per cent
Q2. What factors contribute the most to the boom in this segment of market?
Growth in infrastructure projects ---------------------- 26 per cent
Liberalisation of the economy -------------------------- 50 per cent
Special policy measures of the government ----------- 12 per cent
Other factors ----------------------------------------------- 05 per cent
Do not know/ Can not say -------------------------------- 07 per cent
Q4. How do you see the export market of SAIL in the world steel market?
Competitive in the world market ------------------------- 32 per cent
Is in a survival state ---------------------------------------- 23 per cent
Insignificant in the world market --------------------------- 12 per cent
Do not know/ Can not say ---------------------------------- 33 per cent
Q5. Do you agree that increase in SAIL’s export was one of the main reasons for
the recent expansion in global of steel market?
84
Yes -------------------------------------------- 67 per cent
No ----------------------------------------------- 10 per cent
Do not know/ Can not say -------------------- 23 per cent
Q6. Which are the major export markets of your company?
Q7. Do you agree that the Indian Steel market is growing at a fast pace and
thereby attracts foreign investors and market leaders?
Yes ------------------------------------------------- 86 per cent
No --------------------------------------------------- 06 per cent
Do not know/ Can not say ----------------------- 08 per cent
Q8. What are the marketing strategies adopted by SAIL in both the domestic and
international market?
Product Expansion ------------------------------ 45 per cent
Strengthening the export strategy -------------- 30 per cent
To create demand for our products -------------- 12 per cent
Other measures ---------------------------------------02 per cent
Do not know/ Can not say -------------------------- 01 per cent
Q9. What are the impediments to improve the export potential of SAIL?
Structural impediments ---------------------------------- 46 per cent
Tariff related issues ---------------------------------------- 17 per cent
Unstructured market ------------------------------------- 20 per cent
Other factors ---------------------------------------------- 10 per cent
Do not know/ can not say -------------------------------- 07 per cent
85
86
BIBLIOGRAPHY
87
BIBLIOGRAPHY
88