Arindam Majumder And Ishita Ayan Dutt

Stories by Arindam Majumder And Ishita Ayan Dutt

Tatas bring in talent from group companies to revive Air India

Tatas bring in talent from group companies to revive Air India

Rediff.com   16 Apr 2022

Due to the group's presence across multiple businesses, it is in a unique position in the aviation industry to bring the best of talents.

Nashik: 20 electric scooters of Jitendra EV loaded in container catch fire

Nashik: 20 electric scooters of Jitendra EV loaded in container catch fire

Rediff.com   12 Apr 2022

In light of the recent incidents involving scooters from prominent electric mobility brands bursting into flames, the subject of electric vehicle (EV) safety has come under the spotlight. As many as 20 electric scooters of Nashik-based Jitendra EV Tech caught fire after being loaded on a transport container. While no one has been reported injured, the company said it is conducting an investigation to find the 'root cause' of the fire.

How Mamata can woo big-ticket projects to Bengal

How Mamata can woo big-ticket projects to Bengal

Rediff.com   11 Apr 2022

The words 'industry', 'industrial development', 'jobs', and 'employment' have been ringing with higher frequency since Mamata Banerjee stepped into her third term with landslide victory after a high-octane election last year. "Our government's next target is industrial development," the chief minister (CM) had been heard stating at different public meetings in the past few months - perhaps setting the tone for the sixth edition of the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) slated for later this month. Investor summits by any state are about intent, big numbers, and tall claims. Yet in competitive federalism, its importance as a marketing tool is undeniable.

Auto sales jump 13% in FY22

Auto sales jump 13% in FY22

Rediff.com   11 Apr 2022

Supply chain constraints will keep plaguing automobile companies even though demand significantly improved resulting in a 13 per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase in sales in financial year 2021-22 (FY22). Executives at auto firms fear that the Russia-Ukraine war will further dent the sector's prospects of recovery as supply chains face more disruptions. "The visibility in the supply side is so hazy that it is difficult to give even one quarter projection. But all the parameters of demand like pending bookings and enquiries are increasing.

Steel prices soar over mounting raw material costs

Steel prices soar over mounting raw material costs

Rediff.com   6 Apr 2022

Raw material prices had been on the rise, but since Russia waged war on Ukraine, prices have surged.

'If demand happens, fares will correct themselves'

'If demand happens, fares will correct themselves'

Rediff.com   6 Apr 2022

'I don't think there will be a direct reaction to the fuel price hike on air ticket prices.'

Airbus leans on existing ties with Tatas; pitches A350 to Air India

Airbus leans on existing ties with Tatas; pitches A350 to Air India

Rediff.com   30 Mar 2022

Planemakers have started pitching their latest aircraft to a privatised Air India which has been acquired by salt-to-steel conglomerate Tata Sons. European aerospace major Airbus on Monday said that it is in talks with the airline to sell its long haul aircraft Airbus A350-900. The wide-body aircraft is capable of flying non-stop between India and United States- one of the most popular and revenue generating routes.

As aviation opens up, GE bets on India's wide-body aircraft market

As aviation opens up, GE bets on India's wide-body aircraft market

Rediff.com   26 Mar 2022

The slot constraint in Indian airports is also going to play a role in pushing airlines to have wide bodies.

Ukraine war impact: Steel producers feel a new pinch in India

Ukraine war impact: Steel producers feel a new pinch in India

Rediff.com   25 Mar 2022

Russia's war on Ukraine has sent steel prices soaring to its highest levels in the domestic market since November 2021. But there is little cheer in the industry. That's because input costs are spiralling out of control, leaving the big boys nearly as high and dry as the small, medium and secondary steel producers. Russia and Ukraine are major providers of steel and raw materials to the world.

Metals get their shine back

Metals get their shine back

Rediff.com   25 Mar 2022

When the world was upended by the Covid-19 pandemic, metals got its shine back. In the last two years, infrastructure spending by major economies spurred demand, energy transition and intermittent supply disruptions fuelled a scorching rally in metals after a downturn during the first Covid wave. Now, Russia's war on Ukraine is ensuring that elevated prices stay the course.

Airlines send out SOS as loans dry up, fuel prices hit record high

Airlines send out SOS as loans dry up, fuel prices hit record high

Rediff.com   24 Mar 2022

Loans for Indian airlines have dried up as banks have become cautious to lend to the sector.

French aerospace major Thales has big India plans

French aerospace major Thales has big India plans

Rediff.com   21 Mar 2022

French aerospace major Thales Group is eyeing major expansion in India. The group has started planning to set up a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) organisation in India to support Indian airlines - many of which are its customers for avionics support. "We are looking to set up an MRO, so that they don't have to travel to West Asia or Singapore. "Final decision is yet to be taken, but this is a clear intent showing the growth potential in India that we are looking to set up a sub-centre here," said Yannick Assouad, executive vice-president, avionics at Thales, who was on her maiden visit to the group's India office at Bengaluru since taking charge.

What's in the Eveready takeover for Burmans

What's in the Eveready takeover for Burmans

Rediff.com   21 Mar 2022

The change in ownership is expected to give a fresh lease of life to the company that has often been dragged by financial stress in its close to three-decade journey under the Khaitans, reports Ishita Ayan Dutt.

Tea Industry On Tenterhooks About Ukraine Conflict

Tea Industry On Tenterhooks About Ukraine Conflict

Rediff.com   16 Mar 2022

Russia is among the top buyers of Indian tea, accounting for about 18 per cent of the industry's total exports.

Volkswagen is betting on Virtus to gain market share in India

Volkswagen is betting on Virtus to gain market share in India

Rediff.com   9 Mar 2022

Amid a rush of sport utility vehicle sales, Volkswagen is betting on its premium mid-sized sedan - the Virtus - to gain market share in India. The Volkswagen Virtus is the second product under the India 2.0 project being developed on the MQB-A0 IN platform, with up to 95 per cent localisation levels. In February, the company registered an 84 per cent year-on-year growth in sales, primarily driving on the Taigun it launched last year.

India Inc braces for fallout of Russia-Ukraine crisis

India Inc braces for fallout of Russia-Ukraine crisis

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2022

Stocks of Indian companies with exposure to Europe fell on Tuesday amid concerns about the impact on their sales in case the Russia-Ukraine crisis worsens and the US and its allies impose economic sanctions on Russia. While top conglomerates, including Reliance Industries, the Tata group, and Aditya Birla Group, said they did not have any significant exposure to Russia, executives of some of the oil and gas, pharmaceutical, and tea companies said they were monitoring the situation closely as they earned substantial income from the region. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered troops into two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine after announcing that Russia would recognise their independence.

'Aviation ministry's role doesn't end with Air India'

'Aviation ministry's role doesn't end with Air India'

Rediff.com   16 Feb 2022

'Government shouldn't be in the business of running airlines, instead it should develop the ecosystem of civil aviation.'

Ford Motors among 20 auto firms shortlisted for output-linked incentive scheme

Ford Motors among 20 auto firms shortlisted for output-linked incentive scheme

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2022

Ford, which had announced to quit the Indian market last year, said it was exploring the possibility of using one of its plants in India to produce electric cars for exports.

How the Tatas finally brought Maharaja home

How the Tatas finally brought Maharaja home

Rediff.com   7 Feb 2022

The Tatas have the know-how to quickly close deals which can otherwise get caught in legal wrangle. In 2018, on the day the National Company Law Tribunal declared Tata Steel as the winner of the bid for bankrupt Bhushan Steel, Bhushan promoter Neeraj Singhal was planning to file for a stay order. He did get the case listed for the following day, but the judge did not admit it, deferring it until the following week. The Tatas used the narrow window of 48 hours to close the deal and take control of the company.

Will the new management manage to revive Jet Airways ahead of March deadline?

Will the new management manage to revive Jet Airways ahead of March deadline?

Rediff.com   4 Feb 2022

The consortium of UAE-based businessman Murari Lal Jalan and UK-based private equity fund Kalrock Capital is rushing to restart Jet Airways' operations, even though differences have emerged over who will fund expenses before operations commence, sources said. The airline applied to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for recertification of its air operator certificate in the last week of January. The regulator is likely to inspect the airline's preparedness to operate a flight in the middle of this month, after which it will be asked to operate a proving flight to demonstrate its ability to conduct flights safely and in accordance with rules.