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BHEL order book swells to over Rs 1.35 lk cr

 

State-run power equipment maker BHEL on Wednesday said its order book, to be executed this fiscal and beyond, has swelled to Rs 1,35,300 crore.
 
"Orders worth Rs 22,096 crore have been booked. At the end of the year, total orders in hand for execution in 2012-13 and beyond, stand at about Rs 1,35,300 crore," CMD BHEL B P Rao said at the company's annual general meeting.
 
Addressing shareholders, Rao said that BHEL recorded a 26 percent surge in networth, which went up to Rs 25,373 crore from Rs 20,154 crore in the year before.
 
"The prevailing economic and business headwinds are posing an immense challenge to sustain past growth rates in the near term. The company expects business sentiment to improve in the medium and long term," he said.
 
Against such a backdrop, efforts are being made to transform BHEL into a more efficient and focused company that can meet the tough challenges posed by increasing competition and exploit the great opportunities that lie ahead, Rao added.
 
He said the 2011-12 fiscal witnessed business confidence falling sharply due to a barrage of shocks like the tsunami in Japan, political volatility in the Middle East and North Africa and widespread financial instability in Europe, impacting BHEL's international business prospects.
 
With a capital investment of Rs 1,122 crore in 2011-12, BHEL has made a total capital investment of Rs 6,298 crore during the 11th Five Year Plan period in augmenting manufacturing capacities and modernisation of facilities.
 
BHEL will expand its offerings in the power sector by building EPC capability, focus on industry businesses, expand spares and services and adopt a collaborative approach.
 
The company's joint venture with NTPC would be the manufacturing base for certain balance of plant (BoP) equipment.
 
BHEL is also working with GE India to offer water management solutions for the power sector.
 
"BHEL will continue to upgrade existing products and systems to contemporary levels and develop new products through continuous in-house efforts as well as through acquisition of new technologies," Rao said.