# 1. Financial Performance ## A. Key Figures * **Revenue:** **₹2,360 Cr** (Q3, +13.9% YoY, +3.4% QoQ) · **₹2,360 Cr** (Q3, +3.4% QoQ, +13.9% YoY) * **EBITDA:** **₹476 Cr** (Q3, +24% YoY, +1% QoQ) · **20%+ EBITDA margin** (Q3, up from 7% prior quarter) * **PAT:** **₹306.7 Cr** (Q3, +24% YoY, +3.5% QoQ) · **12.9% PAT margin** (9M FY25) * **Free Cash Flow:** **₹223 Cr** (Q3) · **₹747 Cr** (9M FY25) ## B. Revenue Growth * **Robust Top-Line Momentum:** Revenue growth sustained at strong double-digit levels, driven by automotive and export segments, despite softness in Bearings and Industrial Solutions. * **Domestic Expansion Underway:** Domestic business shows **~5% growth**, signaling continued traction in local market opportunities. * **Macroeconomic Tailwinds:** Q3 GDP growth at **4%**, supported by stable auto production and industrial activity, with inflation at **7%**, fostering favorable demand conditions. ## C. Profit Margins * **Margin Inflection Point:** EBITDA margin more than doubled to **above 20%**, marking a significant inflection driven by successful localization and operational leverage. * **Inflation Management Supports Outlook:** Declining inflation trend under RBI policy adds to margin sustainability and consumer demand resilience. ## D. Cash Flow * **Strong Cash Conversion:** Exceptional free cash flow generation of **₹223 Cr** in Q3 underscores improved working capital efficiency and earnings quality. * **Sectoral Financial Health:** No receivables stress observed in wind and railways segments, affirming stable cash collections and credit discipline. --- # 2. Segment & Revenue Mix ## A. Key Figures * **Consolidated Revenue:** **₹2,434.6 Cr** Q3 FY25 · **₹2,360 Cr** standalone (Schaeffler India) · **₹74.8 Cr** from KRSV e-commerce * 9M Revenue Growth: +18.7% Automotive Technologies · +10.6% Vehicle Lifetime Solutions · +4.1% Bearings & Industrial Solutions · +27.5% Intercompany & Exports * **Segment Revenue Mix:** **38%** Bearings & Industrial Solutions · **35%** Automotive Technology · **15%** Exports · **12%** Vehicle Lifetime Solutions * **Industrial Production (IIP):** **+4%** YoY · Cement **+6%** · Steel **+7%** · Coal **+7%** * **B. S. Exports:** **~₹100 Cr** annual run-rate ## B. Automotive Tech * **EV-Driven Momentum:** Automotive Technologies delivered strong double-digit growth, led by e-axle revenues in its first full quarter of contribution. * **Near-Term Headwinds:** Passenger vehicle sales softened slightly, though production remained stable and commercial vehicles showed marginal growth. * **Domestic Focus Intensifies:** India accounts for nearly **85%** of total business, with all recent wins domestic; GST reforms expected to boost sector activity in current quarter. ## C. Industrial Solutions * **Mixed Segment Performance:** Bearings & Industrial Solutions growth decelerated over the year, turning negative in Q3 due to project timing and lumpy demand, despite strong H1 momentum. * **Core Industrial Strength:** Steel and cement production grew solidly (+7% and +6%, respectively), underpinning stable IIP growth of 4% and supporting demand in key end markets. * **Product Innovation & Diversification:** New large-size spherical roller bearings launched at Savli plant under FAG X-life brand, targeting high-performance applications in steel, mining, and power. * **Wind Timing Drag, Other Sectors Strong:** Wind energy caused a temporary dip, but Industrial Automation, 2-wheelers, off-road, railways, and distribution all posted robust growth. ## D. Aftermarket * **Innovation in Distribution:** Launched QR-based lubricant vending machine at internal site with positive early feedback; potential for broader rollout in Vehicle Lifetime Solutions. * **Industrial Aftermarket Resilience:** Distribution channel showed strong performance, supporting overall aftermarket growth despite sequential declines in exports and VLS. * **Strategic Focus on Share Gain:** Management is actively pursuing industrial aftermarket share expansion, with ongoing projects aimed at sustaining future growth—subject of investor inquiry. ## E. Exports * **Low-Base Export Growth:** Intercompany exports posted double-digit growth, largely attributable to prior-year geopolitical disruptions and low comparison base, not broad external demand surge. --- # 3. Order Book & Demand ## A. Key Figures * 2-Wheeler Production: 20 million units projected annually * **Passenger Vehicle Production:** **+4% YoY** despite soft sales * **Commercial Vehicle Production:** **+6% YoY** with consistent MoM performance * **Industrial Market Growth:** **4–5% YTD**, in line with company performance * **E-Axle Order Book:** **€300 Mn** lifetime value, unchanged ## B. New Business Wins * **Broad-Based Automotive Gains:** Secured new wins in clutches, dampers, and hydraulic tensioners across light, passenger, and commercial vehicles, supporting **recovered market share** and strong segment performance. * **Industrial Segment Momentum:** Achieved significant wins in cylindrical, taper, and angular contact bearings, as well as ball screws for condition monitoring, despite **Q3 revenue flatness** due to project timing lags. * **Off-Road Breakthrough:** Won first-ever slewing ring business in India’s off-road segment, leveraging European manufacturing capacity. * **Vitesco Integration Progress:** Joint pursuit of new business under unified team yielding wins, though not yet reflected in Schaeffler India’s reported figures due to stand-alone status. * **KRSV E-Commerce Expansion:** Koovers platform expanding dark stores and hubs; top-line on track but absorbing **startup-level costs**, pressuring near-term profitability. ## C. E-Axle Pipeline * **E-Axle Revenue Profile:** €300 Mn order book remains intact, but revenue recognition will be **lumpy**, dependent on **customer-specific ramp-up schedules**. * **Disclosure Constraints:** Specific timing and customer details withheld due to **active NDA**, limiting near-term visibility. ## D. Project Timing * **Demand Recovery Outlook:** Despite delayed GST impact, OEMs are preparing for **stronger demand traction** expected in November and December. * **Sectoral Resilience:** Tractor demand strengthened on **favorable monsoon conditions**, with sustained momentum anticipated; industrial growth remains aligned with market trends despite tender timing volatility. --- # 4. Localization & Manufacturing ## A. Key Figures * **Localization Rate:** **79%** (Q3) · **85–90%** in automotive portfolio · **~40%** in industrial & bearings * **Savli Plant Capacity Utilization:** **90%** ## B. India Production * **Strategic Localization Push:** Advanced progress in import substitution, with 79% overall localization driven by Atmanirbhar Bharat alignment and prior manufacturing transfers from Europe. * **Expansion Execution:** Multiple plants commissioned in two years, successfully navigating tariff risks while sustaining export and domestic performance. * **Future Relocation Potential:** Additional production line shifts to India under evaluation, contingent on European ICE phase-down and India’s stable 3–4% ICE growth. * **E-Axle Localization Underway:** Investments ongoing in e-axle segment with progress aligned to customer agreements, though component-level details restricted by NDAs. ## C. Capacity Utilization * **High Operational Efficiency:** Savli facility running at 90% capacity, leveraging existing infrastructure with minor upgrades for new product rollout. ## D. Import Substitution * **Full Localization Achieved for Key Product:** New large-sized SRB product now fully manufactured in India at Savli, eliminating import dependency. * **Portfolio Divergence in Localization:** Strong domestic sourcing in automotive (85–90%) versus higher import reliance in industrial and bearings (~40%) due to niche demand patterns. --- # 5. Cost & Margin Drivers ## A. Key Figures * **Gross Margin Contribution:** **₹148 Cr** to EBITDA * Volume Growth (YTD): 12.7% YoY * **R&D Spend:** **4%** of sales (9M) ## B. Fixed Cost Absorption * **Margin Expansion Drivers:** Gross margin improvement significantly boosted EBITDA, driven by **stronger fixed cost absorption** from year-to-date volume growth, enabling operational leverage despite industrial segment weakness. * **Capacity & Cost Outlook:** Low capacity utilization continues to weigh on margins; however, focus remains on **"sweating the machines"** and optimizing existing assets to drive profitability amid double-digit growth headwinds. ## C. R&D Spend * **Innovation Investment:** R&D intensity increased to 4% of sales over nine months, reflecting sustained commitment to strategic innovation despite near-term margin pressures. ## D. Traded Goods Mix * **Mix & Localization Discrepancy:** Traded goods mix rose sequentially, but management clarified that **actual localization improved by 3 percentage points YoY**, suggesting data inconsistency requiring IR follow-up. * **Strategic Distribution Focus:** Industrial distribution remains a high-margin priority, with mix dynamics influenced by OEM sector performance, though the company actively manages exposure to protect margin integrity. --- # 6. Risks & Execution Challenges ## A. Key Figures * EBITDA Margin: 20.2% Schaeffler India · -14.7% KRSV * EBIT Margin: **-16.7%** KRSV ## B. Project Timing Risk * **Execution Volatility:** Project-based businesses face timing-driven fluctuations in performance, particularly in **renewable energy** and **railways**, leading to uneven quarterly results despite stable underlying demand. * **Sector Contrast:** Industrial segments exhibit seesaw effects due to customer execution schedules, unlike automotive, which benefits from stable, predictable planning. * **Capex Confidence:** No broad concern over private sector capex; variability attributed entirely to project phasing, not demand weakness. * **Americas Tariff Resilience:** Tariffs at point of sale have not impacted Schaeffler, with **solid order inflows from the USA** continuing unabated. ## C. Localization Gaps * **Quality Recognition:** Company received dual customer awards from **Escorts Kubota** and **TAFE** for best quality and zero-defect supply, reinforcing leadership in product excellence. * **Local Manufacturing Rationale:** Localization in India driven by competitive pressure in large-sized SRB market, supporting strategic self-reliance. ## D. KRSV Profitability * **KRSV Underperformance:** Joint venture remains unprofitable with **negative 7% EBITDA and EBIT margins**, reflecting ongoing ramp-up challenges. * **Turnaround Plan:** Management has a defined roadmap to achieve break-even at KRSV, with corrective actions currently being implemented. --- # 7. Guidance & Outlook ## A. Key Figures * **Capex (9M):** **₹267 Cr** (slightly below prior year) * **Capex Plan:** **€500 Mn** over 5 years in India (substantial annual commitment) ## B. Volume Growth * **Double-Digit Growth Target:** Company reaffirms commitment to sustained volume expansion, supported by improved fixed cost absorption and operating leverage. * **GST Tailwind:** Lower vehicle prices from GST reduction could boost market demand and volume growth, though unorganized sector share gains remain unconfirmed. ## C. Capex Plans * **Capital Discipline:** Current-year capex focused on optimizing existing assets after three years of heavy investment, reflecting a shift toward capital efficiency. * **Forward-Looking Spend:** Capex expected to rise in 2026, with a clear long-term commitment signaled by **€500 Mn** India investment plan, despite near-term moderation. ## D. Margin Trajectory * **No Formal Margin Guidance:** Due to operational complexity across nearly 10 sectors, management will not provide EBITDA margin outlook. * **Performance Intent:** Despite lack of guidance, intent to sustain year-to-date operating performance remains firm.