India Cements, a cement manufacturing giant, has undergone a significant transformation following its acquisition by UltraTech Cement. The latest move includes restructuring its top management roles in marketing and HR. This shift was confirmed at a board meeting on January 3, 2025, and the details were disclosed to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). The purpose of this restructuring is to enhance the company’s operational efficiency and revamp its sales, marketing, and HR strategies under UltraTech Cement’s ownership.
**Introducing the New Faces**
The recently concluded board meeting has witnessed the appointment of seasoned professionals to key roles. One of the notable appointments includes R. Parthasarathy, who becomes the Head – Integration Sales and Marketing. With an extensive background in the industry, courtesy of his stints at RAK Ceramics, Asian Paints, and Roca Bathroom Products, Parthasarathy is an Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, alumnus. He has been associated with India Cements since August 2021.
**Other Significant Appointments and Positions**
New Leaders Step Up: Effective Responsibilities and Experiences
Other key appointments announced during the board meeting include: Rajesh Sankar as Head – Integration Manufacturing, Prakash Pattanshetty as Head – Sales and Marketing, G. Ramesh as Vice President – Personnel, and Ravikrishna Iyer as Group Head – Human Resources. Rajesh Sankar, a chemical engineer, possesses advanced knowledge in environmental science, and Pattanshetty is a veteran of the industry with a successful track record spanning 30 years.
**UltraTech Cement’s Acquisition and Its Impact**
The Merger of Two Giants: UltraTech Cement’s Strategic Move
The road to these senior-level appointments began when UltraTech Cement acquired a 32.72% stake in India Cements for Rs 39.54 billion in July 2024, prior to increasing their total shareholding to 55.49% with another acquisition in June. This transaction marked a significant deal in the cement industry, where UltraTech sought the approval of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to argue that India Cements was suffering substantial losses and that this deal would help revive the struggling firm.
Revival and Restructuring: Implications and Outcomes
The changes mark a strategic shift for India Cements as it effectively becomes part of UltraTech Cement’s umbrella, preparing itself to streamline sales, marketing, and HR with revamped strategies. The restructuring reflects an effort to increase operational efficiency and possibly improve its financials and market standing under UltraTech Cement’s oversight.
