From ‘Make in India’ to ‘Export to America’: Bharat Forge Secures Major Defense Contract & Growth Insights
Business and Industry Overview:
Bharat Forge Limited is a large Indian company that manufactures metal parts for many industries. Its products are used in cars, energy, railways, marine, and defense. The company was founded in 1961 and is based in Pune, Maharashtra. It is part of the Kalyani Group and is led by Baba Kalyani.
Bharat Forge has large factories in India and other countries. It makes important parts like engine components for cars, tools for power plants, and equipment for trains. It also makes weapons and defense systems for the military. Many big companies, like Daimler and Volkswagen, buy its products.
The company is always growing. It invests in new technology to make better products. It is also working on lightweight materials to improve fuel efficiency. In defense, it makes artillery guns and missiles. Bharat Forge also helps develop future combat vehicles for the army.
Bharat Forge keeps expanding by buying other companies. In 2024, it acquired a company that makes axles for vehicles. It also works with international partners to develop advanced weapons. The company aims to be a leader in metal forging and defense manufacturing.
The forging industry is considered the backbone of manufacturing. It supplies key sectors like automobiles, industrial machinery, power, construction, railways, and general engineering, all of which support economic growth.
India’s forging industry is globally recognized for its technical abilities. It has an installed capacity of about 38.5 lakh MT and can forge various raw materials, including carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, titanium, and aluminum. Over time, the industry has shifted from being labor-intensive to capital-intensive, with investments in machinery worth ₹27,833 crore.
Forging units in India are classified by size. About 83% of units are small or very small, 9% are medium-sized, and only 8% are large or very large. The industry directly employs about 95,000 people. Small units rely on manual labor, while larger ones use more machines. The sector has improved its quality standards and is known globally for high-quality production.
Currently, the auto sector accounts for 58% of forging production, making the forging industry heavily dependent on automobile demand. The industry has expanded into foreign markets by upgrading technology and diversifying its products. Indian forgers now supply global car manufacturers looking for affordable and high-quality components.
To reduce risks from slowdowns in the auto sector, the industry is expanding into other areas like aerospace, energy, and defense. Forging companies are also increasing exports, contributing significantly to India’s economy.
Bharat Forge is a global leader in high-quality engineering and manufacturing. It focuses on innovation, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. The company has moved from traditional methods to AI-powered digitalization, making production more efficient. This shift has helped in boosting exports and expanding globally. Bharat Forge aligns with India’s vision of becoming a strong economic power. It invests in research, automation, and advanced technology to stay ahead. The company serves many industries like automotive, defense, aerospace, railways, and energy. With over 30 years of exporting experience, it continues to grow in capital goods and infrastructure. Bharat Forge is committed to shaping a strong and inclusive industrial future.
Latest Stock News:
Bharat Forge’s share price went down by 4% because the US changed some pollution rules for vehicles. The company thought it would sell more parts before the new rules started, but now that may not happen. The big trucks in the US give Bharat Forge a good amount of money, so this change might affect sales. At the same time, a company called ICRA checked Bharat Forge’s strength and gave it good ratings. They said Bharat Forge is strong in making auto parts, has big customers, and is growing in defense and aerospace. Bharat Forge has a lot of money saved, but it also spends a lot to run its business. Some of its overseas businesses did not do well recently. In the last three months, its profit went down by 8.4% to ₹346 crore, and its total money made was ₹2,096 crore, which is 7.4% less than last year. Right now, its share price is ₹1,042.40, down by 4.64%.
Potentials:
Bharat Forge is growing by making better products and expanding into new industries. Earlier, it mainly made auto parts, but now it also works in defense, aerospace, railways, and energy. The company is selling more products to other countries and working with big companies worldwide. Some businesses, like Amara Raja Energy & Mobility, use family trusts to protect family wealth. These trusts help pass money and property from one generation to another without problems. However family trusts do not always work smoothly. Bharat Forge’s owner, Baba Kalyani, is in a court fight with his siblings over family wealth. The KK Modi family is also facing issues because of unclear trust rules. Many family trusts fail because people do not follow rules properly, skip meetings, or do not record decisions correctly. Some trusts do not allow changes, which creates problems when situations change. Even with these issues, Bharat Forge is focusing on making better products, growing its business, and helping India become stronger in manufacturing.
Analyst Insights:
- Market capitalisation: ₹ 51,586 Cr.
- Current Price:₹ 1,079
- 52-Week High/Low: ₹ 1,826 / 1,002
- Stock P/E: 54.2
- Dividend Yield: 0.87 %
- Return on Capital Employed (ROCE): 12.9 %
- Return on Equity: 12.7 %
Bharat Forge is too expensive compared to similar companies. Its P/E ratio is 54.2, while others like Ramkrishna Forgings (33.2) and CIE Automotive (17.6) are much lower. The company’s revenue is growing well (35% per year in 3 years), and profit margins are improving (16% in FY24 from 13% in FY22). But in the last quarter, profits fell by 16.38%. Promoters have sold some shares (1.18%), and the company’s debt is rising (₹7,948 Cr). Also, returns (ROCE: 12.9%, ROE: 12.7%) are lower than competitors. The stock is not a good buy right now. If you own it, hold it for the long term. If the price goes up to ₹1,200, sell it. A better price to buy is ₹950-1,000.