LMW Ltd. Q1 FY27 Earnings Call Summary

LMW reported Q1 FY27 consolidated revenue of ₹902 crore, down 7.2% QoQ, and profit of ₹75 crore, down 3.8%, while standalone PBT rose 18% QoQ to ₹85 crore. The driver was domestic textile machinery order conversion and machine tools, offset by China subsidiary revenue collapsing 85.5% YoY to ₹11 crore with a ₹7 crore loss. Management guided to gradual TMD order inflow, execution of the ~₹1,000 crore ATC order book over 3-3.5 years, MTD EBIT recovery toward 12-14% from 75-80% utilization, and auto winder orders in Q4 FY27. Key risks are textile capex cycle uncertainty, 3-3.5% forex and commodity cost inflation hitting MTD margins, and an uncertain China turnaround.

Revenue
Margin
Demand
Guidance
Tone

Event Participants

Executives

2 B. Dhanalakshmi (Associate Vice President), V. Senthil (Chief Financial Officer)

Analysts

7 Divyam Doshi, Krish Mehta, Lakshmi Narayanan, Manish Goyal, Prabhat, Rahul Kumar Mishra, Ritwik Sheth

Financials & KPIs

Metric Reported Commentary
Consolidated Revenue ₹902 crores Down 7.2% QoQ from ₹972 crores; segment mix shift with MTD and TMD sequentially lower
Consolidated Profit ₹75 crores Down 3.8% QoQ from ₹78 crores; margins held despite revenue decline
Standalone Revenue ₹891 crores Flat QoQ (₹889 crores), up 24% YoY (₹722 crores); driven by MTD and TMD growth YoY
Standalone PBT ₹85 crores Up 18% QoQ (₹72 crores), up 151% YoY (₹34 crores); strong operating leverage
TMD Revenue ₹482 crores Down 0.6% QoQ (₹485 crores), up 16% YoY (₹415 crores); domestic recovery offsetting export weakness
TMD Order Book (Secured) ₹3,200 crores Active orders ₹2,400 crores; 70% projects, 30% unitary; requires 10% deposit for booking
TMD Capacity Utilization ~60% Significant headroom; utilization tied to domestic capex cycle recovery
TMD Revenue Mix 64% Domestic, 10% Export, 26% Spares Domestic dominant; spares provide recurring revenue base
LMW Global (Dubai) Revenue ₹51 crores Down 5.6% QoQ (₹54 crores); loss ₹5.6 crores vs ₹5 crores prior quarter
LMW Global Order Book ₹22 crores Short-cycle, LC-based orders
LMW China Revenue ₹11 crores Down 85.5% YoY (₹76 crores); loss narrowed to ₹7 crores from ₹11.5 crores QoQ
LMW China Order Book ₹128 crores Export-focused, LC-based
MTD & Foundry Revenue ₹343 crores Down 2.6% QoQ (₹352 crores), up 36.7% YoY (₹251 crores); foundry ~8% of division
MTD Capacity Utilization 75-80% Can push 15-20% more with current capacity; further capex planned for VMC expansion
MTD Revenue Mix ~56% Automotive, balance EMS/General Engineering J-series (6 models) gaining traction in EMS; J2 specifically well-accepted
ATC Revenue ₹60 crores Up 5.3% QoQ (₹57 crores), up 30.4% YoY (₹46 crores); margin expansion from mix shift
ATC Revenue Mix 90% Export, 10% Domestic; 80% Metallics, 20% Composites Composite share rising in order book (25% vs 20% revenue)
ATC Order Book ~₹1,000 crores Execution over 3-3.5 years; 90% export, 25% composite, 75% metallics; fully tied up
ATC Capex Plan ₹150 crores over 18-24 months New facility (land owned, building construction); supports scaling to meet order book
Other Expenses Growth +4% YoY Vs 25% revenue growth; driven by cost optimization and VRS in prior quarter

Geographic & Segment Commentary

Textile Machinery Division (TMD): Revenue flat QoQ at ₹482 crores but up 16% YoY. Secured order book of ₹3,200 crores (₹2,400 crores active) with 70% projects providing multi-year visibility. Domestic demand driven by state policies (Gujarat, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh) and FTAs; synthetic spinning margins under pressure but cotton margins healthy. Capacity utilization ~60% with significant headroom. Export order book minimal (₹150 crores combined Global + China), mostly LC-based short-cycle.

Machine Tool Division (MTD): Revenue ₹343 crores, up 36.7% YoY but down 2.6% QoQ. Capacity utilization 75-80% with room for 15-20% growth without capex. Automotive remains 56% of mix; J-series (6 models) gaining traction in EMS segment. Margin compression QoQ attributed to operating leverage on lower turnover; management targets double-digit EBIT margins (historically 12-14%) through capacity utilization and price increases to offset forex-driven cost inflation (3-3.5%).

Advanced Technology Center (ATC): Revenue ₹60 crores, up 30% YoY. Order book ~₹1,000 crores executable over 3-3.5 years provides strong visibility. 90% export, shifting toward composites (25% of order book vs 20% revenue). Margin expansion this quarter from favorable assembly vs component mix; expected to normalize. ₹150 crore capex for new facility over 18-24 months. Forex tailwind from USD/EUR appreciation.

Subsidiaries (Global & China): LMW Global (Dubai) revenue ₹51 crores with ₹5.6 crore loss; order book ₹22 crores. LMW China revenue ₹11 crores (down sharply YoY) with ₹7 crore loss; order book ₹128 crores. Both operate on short-cycle LC-based model.

Company-Specific & Strategic Commentary

Diversification Enabling Resolution: Board approved enabling resolution for six new divisions including EV, advanced technology, pharma/specialty chemicals. Management emphasized this is exploratory - no immediate investment commitments; significant developments will be disclosed to shareholders.

Auto Winder Product Launch: Initial supplies in South India with positive feedback; meaningful order booking expected in Q4 FY27. Represents product portfolio expansion within TMD.

Cost Optimization Program: Other expenses grew only 4% YoY vs 25% revenue growth. VRS implemented in prior quarter; management maintaining tight cost discipline despite improving outlook across segments.

Supply Chain Resilience: Proactive supply chain management mitigated Middle East tension impact (helium, gas, logistics). Maintaining 4-5 month material pipeline visibility; commodity/logistics costs up 3-3.5%.

Import Substitution: Ongoing program across mechanical, electrical, electronic components in MTD and TMD where Indian alternatives meet quality/spec requirements. Price revision clauses exist in ATC and Foundry; being implemented in MTD.

Guidance & Outlook

Metric Guidance / Outlook Commentary
TMD Order Inflow Gradual increase expected State policies (Gujarat, Odisha, MP), FTAs, and modernization needs driving pipeline; not expecting sharp uptick like 3 years ago but steady absorption
MTD Margin Recovery Targeting historical 12-14% EBIT Requires full capacity utilization (currently 75-80%) and price increases to offset 3-3.5% cost inflation from forex/commodities; no specific timeline given
ATC Revenue Growth Execution of ₹1,000 crore order book over 3-3.5 years 90% export visibility; composite share rising; new facility capex (₹150 cr) to support scaling
Auto Winder Orders Booking expected in Q4 FY27 Initial customer feedback positive; rollout phase beginning
Capex - ATC ₹150 crores over 18-24 months Land owned; building construction for new facility to support order book execution
Capex - MTD Planned for VMC capacity expansion Current capacity can absorb 15-20% growth; further capex tied to VMC machining center demand
Commodity/Logistics Cost +3-3.5% headwind Middle East tensions impacting helium, gas, transport; R&D/design working on mitigation; price discussions ongoing with customers

Risks & Constraints

Risk Context
Textile Capex Cycle Uncertainty Order book secured but conversion to revenue depends on domestic spinning investment sentiment. Synthetic spinning margins under strain; interest rate outlook could delay greenfield projects. Management sees gradual not sharp recovery.
MTD Margin Pressure from Forex/Commodities USD/EUR appreciation and commodity inflation adding 3-3.5% to costs. Price increases and import substitution underway but lag effect; margins compressed QoQ despite 36% YoY revenue growth.
China Subsidiary Turnaround Revenue collapsed 85% YoY to ₹11 crores with ₹7 crore loss. Order book ₹128 crores but execution uncertain. No clear timeline for profitability.
ATC Composite Ramp Risk Composite share only 20% of revenue vs 25% of order book. Technology stabilization and facility setup required; margins may normalize as mix shifts.
Export Concentration in ATC 90% export revenue exposes division to global aerospace/defense cycle and geopolitical risks. Order book execution subject to customer schedule push/pulls.
Working Capital / Supply Chain Maintaining 4-5 month material pipeline requires inventory investment. Helium, specialty gases, logistics vulnerable to Middle East disruptions.

Q&A Highlights

TMD Order Book & Domestic Demand

  • Question: What is the composition of the ₹3,200 crore TMD order book - greenfield vs modernization, large vs small customers? (Lakshmi Narayanan)
  • Answer: Order book split ~70% projects (A-to-Z machinery), 30% unitary (modernization/upgrades). In downturns, unitary share rises. Customer base spans integrated mills, spinning-only, and converters; not concentrated in top 20 players. Secured with 10% deposits. State policies (Gujarat, Odisha, MP) and FTAs driving inquiries. (V. Senthil)

ATC Order Book & Capex

  • Question: ATC order book composition (composite vs metallic), capex plans, margin sustainability, and revenue recognition policy. (Manish Goyal, Krish Mehta)
  • Answer: Order book ~₹1,000 crores over 3-3.5 years; 25% composite (rising from 20% revenue), 75% metallics. Capex ₹150 crores for new facility over 18-24 months. Current quarter margin higher due to assembly-heavy mix (70% without material vs 30% with); will normalize. Revenue includes both value-add and product sales. (V. Senthil)

MTD Margin Trajectory

  • Question: MTD margins historically 12-14% EBIT; what drives recovery to double digits and timeline? (Ritwik Sheth)
  • Answer: Current compression due to operating leverage on lower QoQ turnover. Capacity at 75-80% utilization with 15-20% headroom. Product mix shifting to higher-value VMCs (20%+ of output). Price increases and import substitution to offset 3-3.5% cost inflation. No specific timeline but "push is towards full capacity utilization." (V. Senthil)

MTD Product Mix & J-Series

  • Question:

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