Steel Authority of India Limited Operations and Financial Performance

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Steel Authority of India Limited, or SAIL, is a behemoth in the Indian steel industry.

SAIL operates through its eight integrated steel plants and three special steel plants, producing a wide range of steel products.

These plants are strategically located across the country, with some of them being situated near major steel consuming centers.

SAIL's production capacity has grown significantly over the years, with its crude steel production increasing from 15.6 million tonnes in 2010-11 to 21.1 million tonnes in 2020-21.

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History

Steel Authority of India Limited has a rich history dating back to 1973.

The company was formed by the merger of Indian Iron and Steel Company, Bhilai Steel Plant, Durgapur Steel Plant, and Rourkela Steel Plant.

The merger was a strategic move to create a single entity that could efficiently manage and utilize India's steel resources.

The company's first chairman was L.M. Khaund, who played a crucial role in shaping the company's vision and mission.

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Under his leadership, the company started to expand its operations and increase its production capacity.

In 1988, the company was converted into a public sector undertaking, marking a significant milestone in its history.

This conversion enabled the company to access additional funding and resources, which helped it to further expand its operations.

Today, SAIL is one of the largest steel producers in India, with a presence in various sectors including production, marketing, and distribution.

Company Structure

The Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL) was established on 24 January 1973, with an authorized capital of ₹2,000 crore (US$250 million).

SAIL's initial mandate included managing five integrated steel plants and two specialty plants.

Holding Company

A holding company can be a great way to manage multiple businesses under one umbrella. This is exactly what the Ministry of Industry did in 1972 by proposing the creation of a holding company to oversee both inputs and outputs.

The Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL) was established on January 24, 1973, with an authorized capital of ₹2,000 crore (US$250 million). This significant investment helped SAIL become a major player in the industry.

SAIL's mandate included managing five integrated steel plants. This shows how a holding company can effectively manage multiple businesses with different operations.

In 1978, SAIL underwent restructuring to function as an operating company. This change in structure likely helped SAIL become more efficient and effective in its operations.

Shareholding Pattern

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The shareholding pattern of a company is a crucial aspect of its structure. It shows who owns the company and in what proportions.

According to the data, the promoters have consistently held around 65% of the company's shares since Mar 2023. This suggests a high level of control by the company's founders or management.

The number of shareholders has fluctuated over the years, with a high of 20,46,326 in Mar 2025 and a low of 3,74,049 in Mar 2017. This indicates a significant increase in the number of people owning shares in the company.

The Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) have held a relatively small portion of the company's shares, ranging from 2.59% to 4.34%. This is likely due to the company's classification and the availability of data from Sep'22 onwards.

Here's a breakdown of the shareholding pattern over the years:

The shareholding pattern can have a significant impact on the company's decision-making processes and its relationships with various stakeholders.

Subsidiaries

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Steel Authority of India Limited has a range of subsidiaries that play a crucial role in its operations.

SAIL has a holding company, The Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL), established on 24 January 1973, with an authorized capital of ₹2,000 crore (US$250 million).

SAIL's restructuring in 1978 allowed it to function as an operating company, marking a significant milestone in its growth.

One notable joint venture is NTPC SAIL Power Company Limited (NSPCL), a 50:50 joint venture between SAIL and National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd. (NTPC Ltd.). NSPCL manages the captive power plants at Rourkela, Durgapur, and Bhilai.

NSPCL has a combined capacity of 314 MW and has installed additional capacity by implementation of a 500 MW power plant at Bhilai. Here are the details of NSPCL's power plants:

  • NSPCL, Rourkela (2 x 60 MW)
  • NSPCL, Durgapur (2 x 60 MW)
  • NSPCL, Bhilai (2 x 30 MW + 1 x 14 MW)

SAIL has also incorporated a joint venture company, SAIL&MOIL Ferro Alloys (Pvt.) Limited, with Manganese Ore (India) Ltd on a 50:50 basis to produce ferro-manganese and silico-manganese required for steel production.

Bokaro Power Supply Company

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Bokaro Power Supply Company is a 50:50 joint venture between Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL) and Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC).

It was established in 2001 and is engaged in power and steam generation. The company supplies power and steam to SAIL's Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL) located at Bokaro for meeting the process requirement of BSL.

The plant has 9 boilers with varying capacities, including 5 boilers each of 220 TPH and 3 boilers each of 260 TPH.

One boiler has a capacity of 300 TPH and was commissioned on February 2, 2014.

Here's a breakdown of the boilers and their capacities:

Ferro Alloys Limited

Ferro Alloys Limited is a significant player in the steel industry, as it produces essential alloys for steel production. SAIL has a joint venture with Manganese Ore (India) Ltd to produce ferro-manganese and silico-manganese.

This joint venture is a 50:50 partnership, which is a common structure for collaborations in the industry. The company was incorporated to meet the growing demand for ferro-manganese and silico-manganese.

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Units of India

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India is home to a diverse range of steel plants, each with its own unique story and contribution to the country's industrial landscape. SAIL, or the Steel Authority of India, is a leading player in this sector with a number of subsidiaries and joint ventures.

The SAIL Integrated Steel Plants are a key part of the company's operations, with units located in various states across India. For example, the Rourkela Steel Plant in Odisha is India's first integrated steel plant in the public sector, established through collaboration with Germany.

The Rourkela Steel Plant is one of the five major SAIL Integrated Steel Plants, alongside the Bhilai Steel Plant in Chattisgarh, the Durgapur Steel Plant in West Bengal, the Bokaro Steel Plant in Jharkhand, and the IISCO Steel Plant in West Bengal.

Here is a list of the SAIL Integrated Steel Plants:

  • Rourkela Steel Plant (Odisha)
  • Bhilai Steel Plant (Chattisgarh)
  • Durgapur Steel Plant (West Bengal)
  • Bokaro Steel Plant (Jharkhand)
  • IISCO Steel Plant (West Bengal)

In addition to these major steel plants, SAIL also operates a number of special steel plants, including the Alloy Steel Plant in Durgapur, West Bengal, which supplies steel to the Indian Ordnance Factories.

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SAIL Refractory Unit (SRU) is another important part of the company's operations, with units located in various states across India. For example, the SAIL Refractory Unit, Bhandaridah in Jharkhand, is one of the four SRU units operated by SAIL.

Here is a list of the SAIL Refractory Unit (SRU) locations:

  • SAIL Refractory Unit, Bhandaridah (Jharkhand)
  • SAIL Refractory Unit, Bhilai (Chhattisgarh)
  • SAIL Refractory Unit, IFICO, Ramgarh (Jharkhand)
  • SAIL Refractory Unit, Ranchi Road (Jharkhand)

Operations and Management

SAIL has a significant workforce, with 93,352 employees as of 31 March 2015, down from 170,368 in 2002. This reduction in headcount is due to enhanced productivity and rationalized manpower.

The company's total iron ore requirement is met through its captive mines, with capacities being expanded and new mines being developed to meet growing demand. SAIL also explores new iron ore deposits in various states.

SAIL produced 13.9 million tonnes of crude steel in a year, operating at 103% of its installed capacity, a 1% increase over the previous year. The company also generated 710 MW of electricity in FY 2014-15.

Here are some key statistics about SAIL's operations:

  • 93,352 employees as of 31 March 2015
  • 170,368 employees as of 31 March 2002
  • 13.9 million tonnes of crude steel produced in a year
  • 710 MW of electricity generated in FY 2014-15

Operations

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SAIL has a total of 93,352 employees as of 31 March 2015, a significant reduction from 170,368 employees in 2002 due to enhanced productivity and rationalized manpower.

The company has a robust operation, with a total requirement of its main raw material, iron ore, met through its captive mines. To meet its growing requirement, capacities of existing iron ore mines are being expanded and new iron ore mines are being developed.

SAIL's captive mines enable it to meet 100% of its iron ore requirement. New iron ore deposits are being explored in various states, including Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Karnataka.

Around 24% of SAIL's coking coal requirements are met from domestic sources, with the remaining being imported. The company is also developing new coking coal blocks at Tasra and Sitanalla to improve its coking coal security.

SAIL is India's largest miner of minerals involved in the steel-making process, such as iron ore and coking coal. During FY 2019-2020, the company mined 32.406 million tonnes of steel-making minerals.

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SAIL operates at 103% of its installed capacity, producing 13.9 million tonnes of crude steel, a 1% increase over the previous year. The company also generated 710 MW of electricity during FY 2014-15.

Here is a breakdown of SAIL's power generation capacity:

SAIL's power generation capacity is a significant aspect of its operations, enabling the company to meet its own energy requirements and sell excess power to the grid.

Mines Developed via Outsourcing

SAIL has decided to outsource the development of two virgin iron ore mines, one at Rowghat in Chhattisgarh and the other at Chiria in Jharkhand.

Each mine is expected to cost between ₹1,000 crore (US$120 million) – ₹1,200 crore (US$140 million) to develop.

The development of these mines will increase the annual capacity of iron ore production.

ICVL, a joint venture of five Indian government-owned companies, acquired a 65 percent stake in the Benga coal mine from the Rio Tinto Group in July 2014.

The five companies involved in ICVL are Steel Authority of India Limited, Coal India, Rashtriya Ispat Nigam, National Minerals Development Corporation, and National Thermal Power Corporation.

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Financials

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The financials of Steel Authority of India Limited are a mixed bag. In 2014, the company's sales stood at Rs 46,804, a figure that remained relatively stable over the next few years, with a slight dip in 2016 to Rs 38,793.

The company's expenses have also fluctuated over the years, ranging from Rs 41,217 in 2015 to Rs 96,410 in 2020. Operating profit margin (OPM) has been a concern, with a negative margin in 2016 and a low 8% in 2018.

Here's a breakdown of the company's profit before tax (PBT) and net profit over the years:

The company's earnings per share (EPS) have also been volatile, ranging from Rs 4.93 in 2015 to Rs 29.64 in 2020.

Profit & Loss

Let's dive into the Profit & Loss section of the financials. The sales have been steadily increasing over the years, with a significant jump from Mar 2018 to Mar 2019, reaching 66,973.

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Here's a breakdown of the sales figures over the years:

The operating profit margin (OPM) has also seen an upward trend, with a high of 21% in Mar 2021 and a low of -7% in Mar 2016.

Audit Impact Statement

In an audit impact statement, you'll often see values expressed in Indian rupees, denoted as ₹ Lakhs. This means all the numbers mentioned are in units of one hundred thousand rupees.

The timeframes used in audit impact statements can vary, but you'll typically see abbreviations like 1D, 1W, 1M, 3M, 6M, and 1Y. These stand for one day, one week, one month, three months, six months, and one year, respectively.

Here's a breakdown of the timeframes you might encounter in an audit impact statement:

  • 1D: One day
  • 1W: One week
  • 1M: One month
  • 3M: Three months
  • 6M: Six months
  • 1Y: One year

Future and Governance

Steel Authority of India Limited is planning to increase its production capacity from 14.6 MT per annum to 26.2 MT per annum of hot metal.

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The company aims to achieve this by modernizing and expanding its production units, raw material resources, and other facilities. This move will help SAIL maintain its dominant position in the Indian steel market.

SAIL has already entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of West Bengal and Burn Standard Company Ltd. to set up a Railway Wagon factory, which will create approximately 75,300 jobs.

The company is also exploring the possibility of setting up a full-capacity integrated plant in Andhra Pradesh or Telangana, with an estimated investment of Rs. 4,400 crore.

Here is a list of the different types of public sector undertakings in India, including SAIL's classification:

  • Maharatna: SAIL falls under this category, which includes companies in the energy, financial services, defence, engineering, and metals sectors.
  • Navratna: SAIL is not classified under this category, which includes companies in the defence, energy & metals, EPC, logistics, and telecommunications sectors.
  • Miniratna-I: SAIL is not classified under this category, which includes companies in the energy, metals & mining, defence & space, media & telecom, logistics & transport, EPC & infrastructure, trading, tourism & hospitality, agriculture, and other sectors.

Future Plans

Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) is planning to modernize and expand its production units, raw material resources, and other facilities to maintain its dominant position in the Indian steel market.

The company aims to increase its production capacity from 14.6 MT per annum to 26.2 MT per annum of hot metal.

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SAIL has already entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of West Bengal and Burn Standard Company Ltd. to set up a Railway Wagon factory, which will create approximately 75,300 jobs.

This project is estimated to cost around ₹210 crore.

The company is also exploring possibilities to set up a full capacity integrated plant in Andhra Pradesh or Telangana, which is expected to receive an investment of Rs. 4,400 crore.

This new plant will be the first of its scale in the state, and it's a significant step towards increasing SAIL's production capacity.

A table showing the increased production of various items prior to and post expansion is not explicitly mentioned in the text, but we can infer that the production capacity will increase significantly.

Announcements

In the realm of governance, announcements play a crucial role in keeping stakeholders informed about significant developments. SAIL, a leading steel manufacturer, has made several notable announcements.

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SAIL has received a credit rating reaffirmation from CareEdge, which has assigned a long-term rating of SAIL CARE AA (Stable) and a short-term rating of CARE A1+. This rating applies to bank facilities worth Rs14,850cr and Rs48,250cr.

The company has also closed its trading window on 27 Sep. This is a standard practice to ensure fairness and transparency in trading activities.

Shareholders have been kept informed through various announcements, including the outcome of the AGM held on 16 Sep. During this meeting, a final dividend of Rs1.60/share was declared, and several approvals were granted for major projects.

SAIL has also received a credit rating reaffirmation from India Ratings, which has assigned a long-term rating of SAIL IND AA/Stable and a short-term rating of IND A1+. This rating applies to bonds worth Rs14 crore (reduced) and bank loans worth Rs22,000 crore.

Here are the key announcements made by SAIL:

  • Reaffirmation of credit rating by CareEdge (2d)
  • Closure of trading window (27 Sep)
  • Outcome of AGM (16 Sep)
  • Reaffirmation of credit rating by India Ratings (4 Sep)

About SAIL

SAIL is the largest steel-making company in India and one of the seven Maharatna's of the country's Central Public Sector Enterprises.

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It has a rich history, tracing its origin back to the formative years of an emerging nation - India. Since 1973, SAIL steel has played a pivotal role in transforming the nation.

As of 31 March 2015, SAIL has 93,352 employees, a significant reduction from 170,368 in 2002. This reduction in workforce is likely a result of the company's efforts to streamline operations and improve efficiency.

SAIL produces top quality steel and iron at five integrated plants and three special steel plants, located in the eastern and central regions of India. These plants are situated close to domestic sources of raw materials.

The company manufactures and sells a broad range of steel products, which are in high demand in both the domestic and international markets. In FY 2014-15, SAIL generated 710 MW of electricity and produced 13.9 million tonnes of crude steel, operating at 103% of its installed capacity.

Caroline Cruickshank

Senior Writer

Caroline Cruickshank is a skilled writer with a diverse portfolio of articles across various categories. Her expertise spans topics such as living individuals, business leaders, and notable figures in the venture capital industry. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Caroline crafts engaging and informative content that captivates her readers.

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