STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT REPORT

ON
ASIAN PAINTS LIMITE

SUBMITTED

SUBMITTED

TO

BY

Prof S.Balasubramanyam

C.SOWBHAGYA LAKSHMI
M.B.A 1 st year,Roll No: 89535

SCHOOL OF MANGEMENT
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
WARANGAL-506004

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INDEX
1. ASIAN PAINTS OVERVIEW ........................................ 2
2. BACKGROUND
............................................. 3
3. VISION
.............................................. 4
4. MISSION
............................................... 4
5. MAJOR CORPORATE EVENTS ..................................... 5
6. COMPETETIVE ADVANTAGE PROFILE .......................... 7
7. CORPORATE FACTORS ............................................... 9
8. STRATEGIC MANTRAS OF ASIAN PAINTS LTD .............. 10
9. SWOT ANALYSIS
...................................................... 12
10.MARKET SEGMENTATION ............................................ 13
11.ANSOFF MATRIX
........................................... 15
12.FUTURE PLANS
............................................16
13. ANALYSIS & SUGGESTIONS ..........................................17
14.CONCLUSION
................................................ 19

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LEARNING OBJECTIVE
The learning objective for the industry analysis is to determine the
opportunities and threats that exist for firms within a competitive
environment.

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 The learning objective for the firm analysis is to determine the strengths
and weaknesses of a firm and to determine the core competence that can
be built on to establish a competitive advantage.
The final step is to develop a sound business plan to ensure the survival
of their chosen firm within its competitive environment.

STRATEGIC MANTRAS OF ASIAN PAINTS LIMITED Audacious in vision.

Focus on what know best.
Trim flab to achieve operational excellence.
Good governance made the business sense
Forge stronger partnerships with supplier base.
Pursue quality with zeal.
Innovate to create value for customers.
Good in distribution.

1. ASIAN PAINTS OVERVIEW

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Asian Paints Limited(APL) is the market leader in the Indian paint industry,
commanding a market share of 38 per cent in decorative paints and 33 per cent
overall in the organised sector. Its annual sales turnover exceeds Rs. 1,300
crore, way ahead of all the competitors in the industry. In profits too, Asian
Paints is far ahead. Asian paints market leadership in the decorative paints
segments can be grasped correctly when we take note of the relative position of
the various players in the industry. Whereas Asian Paints has a market share of
38 per cent, its nearest rival, Goodlass Nerolac, commands a share of just 14 per
cent. All others have only less than 10 per cent. Such an achievement by a
company that is wholly Indian in capital, management and technology and in an
industry historically dominated by multinationals is certainly a commendable
feat

Some of the key initiatives undertaken are:

* Initiatives in manufacturing to reduce losses at factory
* Sourcing efficiencies
* Sweat existing assets for better productivity
* Introduction of new technology to drive efficiencies and increase productivity
* Implementation of a new supply chain solution
* Implementation of an ERP solution

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2. Background
Asian Paints Limited was established in 1942 as a partnership firm by four
friends Champaklal H. Choksey, Chimanlal N. Choksi, Suryakant C. Dani and
Arvind R.Vakil to manufacture paints in a garage in Mumbai (Bombay). From
its humble beginnings, the company has moved on to become the largest paints
company in India with a market share of 30 per cent.The company with a
turnover of US$ 535 million on standalone basis and US$ 640 million on
consolidated basis (including turnover of all its subsidiaries) is one of the top
ten decorative paints companies in the world. Its reach and dominance in the
Indian market can be gauged from the fact that it is more than twice the size of
its neares competitor in India and it has been the market leader in paints
industry in India since 1968.The company operates in 22 countries and has 29
paint manufacturing plants in the world which service consumers in over 65
countries.The company operates around the world on its own and also through
its three subsidiaries Berger International Limited,Apco Coatings and SCIB
Chemicals.The company aims to become one of the top five decorative paint
companies in the world and has embarked on an aggressive strategy of
expanding its global operations. The promoters hold the majority stake in the
company (46.8 per cent of the equity stake).The next largest shareholders are
the foreign institutional investors (19.5 per cent stake), followed by Indian
public (16.5 per cent stake). Domestic banks, financial Institutions, mutual
funds and insurance companies hold 13.4 per cent stake. Corporate bodies and
non-resident Indians hold the remaining stake.
ASIAN PAINTS PRODUCTS
Asian Paints is engaged in manufacturing of paints. The company offers interior
and exterior wall paints, automotive paints, powder coatings, auto refinish
paints, and wood finishes. It operates in 22 countries and has 29 paint
manufacturing facilities in the world servicing consumers in over 65 countries.
It is headquartered in Mumbai, India and employs 3,924 people
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

Interior Wall Paints

Exterior Wall Paints
Wood & Metal Paints
Wood Finishes
Ancilliaries

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3. VISION

Asian

Paints aims to become one of the top five Decorative coatings

companies world-wide by leveraging its expertise in the higher growth
emerging markets. Simultaneously, the company intends to build long term
value in the Industrial coatings business through alliances with established
global partners .

4. MISSION
To provide paints as per market demand, ensuring desired level and quality of
customer (dealer) service, continued availability of the right product mix of
right quality at the right time.

CORE VALUES
Commitment and Integrity in dealing with internal and external
customers
A strong belief in individual ability and creating an environment in which
entrepreneurial spirit is encouraged
Ownership and Responsibility
To continuously Rejuvenate every living and working space of people
and bring joy to their lives

CORE PURPOSE
To continuously rejuvenate every living and working space of people
and bring joy to their lives

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5.Major corporate events (Milestone)

Year Events
1942

1945
1957

1967
2002

2005

Champaklal H Choksey, Chimanlal N Choksi, Suryakant C Dani and

Arvind R Vakil establish a paint manufacturing unit in a garage on Foras
Road, Bombay. They name the company The Asian Oil & Paint
Company
Asian Paints uses an innovative marketing strategy of using small packs
The family-owned company becomes a professionally managed
organisation
Asian Paints emerges as India's leading paint company
Asian Paints restructures and adopts enterprise resource planning
technology
Asian Paints becomes the tenth largest decorative paint company in the
world

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APLs whole business operation can be divided into two segments i.e. Paints
and Chemicals.

6.COMPETETIVE ADVANTAGE PROFILE :

Marketing Factors
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 Market leader -38% share in organized sector.

Asian Paints is more than twice the size of its nearest competitor.
>50 yrs -leader
Widest product range -product shades, wide colours ,pack sizes
40 different decorative paints -1000 shades, 8 different sizes in packing,
no. of brands -all segments
Brands -quite powerful
high quality MR & MIS , 90% accuracy in forecasting, 100 fastest
moving Stock Keeping Units, monitored daily
Countrywide distribution (29 plants in 22 countries) .
Physical distribution far superior to competitors
strong in inventory control (18 processing centres, 350 raw material and
intermediate goods suppliers, 140 packing material vendors, 6 regional
distribution centres, 72 depots are integrated)
Manufacturing/Operations factors :
Size advantage in relation to competitors.
Finesse in production planning ,scheduling ,matching with marketing
requirements
In-house production outsourcing high reliability suppliers superior
quality assurance.
Four production location spread benefits.
Human Resources :

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 Asian Paints believes that people are its strongest assets

HIGH calibre
A talent pool of over 4700 employees employed across 23 countries bring
in a unique blend of mindsets and skills
Excellent training is provided to develop leaders and re-strengthen

competencies from within the organisation

Information Technology :
Asian Paints is the only company in India to have integrated Supply
Chain Management (SCM) Solution from i2 Technologies, and Enterprise
Resource Planning (ERP) solution from SAP.
Customer Relations Management (CRM) tools are being used in Asian
Paints Helpline and Home Solutions initiatives
Improve efficiency in the business as well as increase the transparency
and accuracy of information across the country.
Research & Development

At Asian Paints, R&D plays an important role in developing new

products and innovations, and reducing costs by value re-engineering of
formulations.
It consists of 140 strong R&D team consisting of 7 doctorates and around
115 qualified scientists, has always backed the company's business plan
and demands of the market place.
Asian Paints' R&D team has successfully managed to develop High-end
exterior finished and wood finishes in-house.

7.

Corporate factors

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 AWARDS
Awarded the "Sword of Honour" by the British Safety Council for all the
paint plants in India. This award is considered as the pinnacle of
achievement in safety across the world.
Forbes Global magazine, USA ranked Asian Paints amongst the 200 'Best
Small Companies of the world' in 2002 and 2003 and amongst the top 200
'Under a Billion Firms' of Asia in 2005.
Ranked 24th amongst the top paint companies in the world by Coatings
World - Top Companies Report 2006.
The Asset - one of Asia's leading financial magazine ranked Asian Paints
amongst the leading Indian companies in Corporate Governance in 2002 and
2005.
Received the Ernst & Young "Entrepreneur of the Year - Manufacturing"
award in 2003
ENVIRONMENT AND SAETY :
Asian Paints approaches the environment issue from the perspective of
waste minimisation and conservation of resources.
It attempt is to reuse, recycle and eliminate waste, which results in less
and less waste being generated. Accordingly, the material losses in
manufacturing have been reduced substantially over the last few years.
It has ISO 14001 certification for environment management standards.
It has achieved 'zero industrial discharge' capability. This has been
achieved by the installation of upgraded effluent treatment facilities and
installation of reverse osmosis plants in conjunction with appropriate
recycling and reuse schemes. Our emulsion manufacturing facility has
also achieved 'zero waste' status. It has adopted the principles of "green
productivity".
Some of its innovative schemes which enhance green productivity are
dealer tinting systems which has resulted in large batch sizes ; bulk
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storage facility for monomers which reduces wastage; Use of natural gas
which is a cleaner fuel ; solvent recovery plants have been set up which
has resulted in zero reduction of solvent disposal ; Improved incinerating
systems and reverse osmosis.
The "Sword of Honour", instituted by the BSC, is recognized the world
over as the pinnacle of achievement in safety management systems.

QUALITY POLICY:
We shall provide products and services that meet stated standards on
time, every time.
We accept Zero Defect as a quality absolute, and shall design and operate
our quality system accordingly.
We will organise our work practices to do a job right the first time, every
time.
We are committed to continuous improvement in quality in all business
processes and shall track such improvement through measurable
indicators.

8. STRATEGIC MANTRAS OF ASIAN PAINTS LIMITED -A WHOLE

AND REALISTIC VIEW
Asian Paints sound marketing has earned it strong brand equity. It has been able
to do it by focusing on product features that are appreciated by customers. And
by ensuring that the products are of high and consistent quality and are widely
available b Enviable track record in breaking away the position of MNCs in the
Indian paint Industry building a strong distribution system.
The paint industry of India is more then 100 years old. Its beginning can be
traced to the setting up of factory by Shalimar Paints in Kolkata in 1902. Till the
advent of World War II. The industry consisted of just a few foreign companies
and some small. Indigenous producers. Foreign companies continued to
dominate the industry.
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At the time Asian Paints entered the Indian paint business. Distribution was the
most crucial task for any new entrant. Both physical distribution and channel
management posed formidable challenges. The foreign companies and their
wholesale distributors dominated the business. Also they were shutting the
doors on any new paint company seeking an entry into the business. They
concentrated on big cities where they could make the sales without much
investment in distribution infrastructure and market development.
Asian Paints sized up the scenario and formulated a unique strategy. It went in
for a strategy that differed totally from the existing pattern.

Elements of Asian Paints Marketing Strategy

1. Asian Paints bypassed the bulk buyer segment and went to individual
consumers of paints.
2. Asian Paints went slow on urban areas and concentrated on semi urban
and rural areas.
3. Asian Paints went retail. While its competitors remained content with a
handful of wholesale distributors. AP preferred direct contact with
hundreds of retail dealers.
4. Asian Paints went in for an open door policy. It broke the prevailing
trend in those days. Of limiting the number of dealers to the barest
minimum. And chose to use practically everyone in the trade. Who was
willing to function as its dealer?
5. Asian Paints voted for nationwide marketing/distribution. It wanted to
have an active presence throughout the country. In all the geographical
zones. States and territories.
Main steps in the implementation Process
1. Asian Paints created a large network of dealers.
2. It established a network of company depots to service the dealers
3. It created a marketing organization that matched its distribution
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4. It successfully resolved the cost service conflict in distribution with a

A strong commitment to distribution cost control. Without
compromising service level.
Effective inventory management
Effective control of credit outstandings
IT initiatives in distribution cost control
As already mentioned. Asian Paints is India's largest paint company and the
market leader in decorative paints. The story of Asian Paints is a story of
marketing excellence. It achieved an enviable leadership position by mastering
the distribution function and gained a distinctive and powerful competitive
advantage.

9.SWOT ANALYSIS OF ASIAN PAINTS LTD

Strength :
NO.1 Player in decorative paints and 2nd in industrial paint segment.
Wide range of products with around 8500 colors.
Geographically well spread giving the company logistical advantage.
International presence giving opportunity to reap benefit from
international growth.
wide distribution network i.e. 19,000 dealers.
Highest manufacturing capacity.
Strong finanacial helps the company to invest in marketing and brand
recall activities.
weakness :
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 Low share from the industrial paint segment.

opportunity :
High growth in both decorative paint and industrial paint.
Potential in overseas markets.

Threats :
Growing industry and low capital intensive nature of business will attract
competition.
Setting up Greenfield project and buyout are viable options for
international players to enter the domestic market.
Industry growth depends on two factors
(a) Repaint activity and
(b) Construction. Any slowdown in any of the two will have
direct impact on the company sales.
Aggression from existing players
The external environment saw an entry of a lot of multinationals trying to
attack us on various segments

10.Market segmentation :
Asian Paints segment the market based on the usage :
BRAND POSITIONING
It is how the Asian paints enabled people to form a mental image for their
products in the customers mind. The strategies that they followed where as
follows,
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Brand Image
The ways in which Asian Paints attempted to meet the customers psychological
and social needs.Indian paint industry is a low involvement industry. Till 1990s
people will just tell their budget for painting their house to their contractors.
And few customers will also mention the colour they need. During that period
Asian Paints analyzed the customer market and found that people where not
brand conscious but their concern was only the price of the paint. To meet this
needs of the customer
Asian paints reduced the cost of the raw materials by backward integration in
order to reduce the cost of the paints
Established an advertising strategy with created an emotional touch among the
customers
All these strategies helped them in creating a Brand Image for their products
among people and people started realizing the need for brand conscious in this
industry.
Umbrella Brand
In 2004 the company realized that though they have almost 20 brands only few
products like Apex emulsion, Royale interior emulsion, Apcolite and Touch
wood had high recall among the customers. Therefore they decided to promote
the brand as a whole, to create a corporate image and the various products under
their Umbrella Brand Asian Paint, which became their mother brand. This
created a Brand Awareness as a whole among the customers.
Brand Portfolio:
It was realized that instead of spending on individual brands and in promoting
them it was logical to promote their corporate image and allthe brands under
their umbrella brands ...
Asian Paints has embarked on an umbrella branding policy encompassing all its
products and services. The project includes a new visual identity that establishes
the company name as the dominant reason for purchase. Tractor, Royale, Utsav
and Apcolite names are no longer the focus on the can, rather consumers will be
buying "Asian Paints." Some key brand names are being retained for the time
being--to signal a position in the market rather than a product or surface. For
instance, Tractor will represent the "value for money" brands.

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The immediate advantage is obvious. Rather than spread resources thinly across
brands and sub-brands, a company centric portfolio can synergize
communication efforts. To be competitive in a world of fragmentation and rising
costs, traditional mass media, such as television, can be prohibitively costly.
With the umbrella-branding move, Asian Paints can also afford to move forward
from a mere functional platform for each individual product to the high ground
of a mood-based emotional dimension.
An Underlying Theme
At Asian Paints, the underlying theme is "har ghar kuchh kehta hai," or "every
home has something to say." The depth and texture visualized by this line goes
into the customer's basic psyche of owning a home, and will carry through
various messages emanating from the company, which is the leader in the
decorative coatings market in India.

11.ANSOFF Matrix
Asian Paints value for the customers was build through innovative package
(size),distribution , and communication .In 1970s they decide to computerize
and network their 30 depots round the country ,to provide proper feedback of
market needs ,resulting in quick response to meet the needs.
They planned a new distribution structure , smaller packages and
computerized communication networks. Asian paints differentiation strategy
starts from market segment, distribution & packaging .
With increasing volumes in chosen segments Asian Paints achieved
economies of scale for cost leadership .With their dominant position they
diversified in product range as also market and geographic segment.
1. They diversified into manufacturing raw materials for paints.
2. product diversification also included industrial paints .Now with a large
market share ,they have strong distribution network even in metros.
Asian paints strategy of quick response translates into supplying 95% of the
order supply in 48 hrs which is a positive competitive advantage .Their R&D
has developed new products to later to industrial & scientific segments . The
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paint industry is in growth stage in India as construction activity has a high

priority.

With 27% market share, they enjoyed double the market share than their
nearest competitor .In order to maintain this leadership position they have
drawn up the following strategy.

Asian Paints went to backward vertical integration by getting into

manufacturing raw materials for paints.
With liberalized economy more international brands are likely to enter the
Indian markets as entry barriers are low in the Paint Industry.
To keep their dominant position Asian Paints should pursue vigorous R & D for
innovative products ,increase the number of depots for covering the entire
country advertise separately for each market segment & average continuous
market research to enhance their competitive advantage.

12.Future Plans :
The company plans to consolidate its dominant position in India by launching
new products in line with the market developments in both decorative paint and
industrial coating segments. The company is focusing on further improving the
operations of all of its subsidiaries in India and abroad and has already launched
E-Strides, an ERP initiative through which all the overseas ventures are being
covered for sharing of global knowledge, best practices and better control on
operations. The companys objective is to be among the top three players in
each market where it is currently operating or plans to operate in the future

Introducing Water based Paints

Repositioning of existing Brands in Rural Market
Broadening of Distribution Network
Adding more choices for shades and effects
Enhancing Better Quality
Demand will be generated through the new
constructions coming in housing and industries

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13.ANALYZES AND SUGGESTIONS

ADVANTAGES OBSERVED (Good strategies) IN FIRM
If we observe the vision statement
Understood that management involved right from the start.
Adequate or correct marketing research is done at each and every level
There is no lack of vision on the relationships between processes,
technology and organization.
If we observe the culture of TQM, and Decision Making

There is sufficient company resources to accomplish task.

New strategies are well explained to employees.
Incentives given to workers to embrace the new strategy.
Promoting the new employee and their management skills.
There is a good employee commitment.

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 Important strategies like collaboration with lead manufacturing

companies.
If we observe the Human Resource Management
Its observed that Companys succeed in today's free market economy, only
because their employees perform to their fullest potential. The governing theme
in the organisation is the well being of their employees strategies.
Alive to this home truth
Freedom to experiment
Continuous learning and training.
Transparency in all aspects.
Quality in all aspects of work.
Rewards based on performance and potential.
The salary and benefits offered are on par with the best available in
Construction Industry.
It is aimed at not only attracting but also retaining talent.

If we observe Financial aspects

Because of this Economic crisis all over the world,the company profit
percentage gets reducing.
To control this, There should be a meeting with all familiar construction
companies CEO to get their views on financial crisis aspects and financial
management.
But, Reduced financial expenses have resulted in substantial increase in
the return on net worth as well as the capital invested from them.

If we observe Enivironmental upgradation.

It has ISO 14001 certification for environment management standards
It is using more innovative techniques.
This augurs well for the country and now there is an imminent need to
introduce green concepts and techniques in this sector.

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 Green concepts and techniques in the construction sector can help address
national issues like handling of consumer waste, water efficiency,
reduction in fossil fuel use in commuting, energy efficiency and
conserving natural resources.
Most importantly, these concepts can enhance occupant health, happiness
and wellbeing.
So automatically enhance the mood of occupant and they feel fresh
throughout the day and in the mean time profit also increases.
If we observe the Marketing Strategy :

It has large network of dealers.

Wide range of varieties.
Rich in product diversification.
High Innovation in techonolgy.
Given more importance for R &D.

Since the firm has following good strategies ,but it must be careful about MNCs
coming for various segments.and there is aggression from existing palyers.

14.CONCLUSION
An independent survey named Asian Paints to be one of the best
companies in Asia in paint industry and other.
Business Today showed that the company was one of the most transparent
and a leader on the issue of innovative methods.
EXCELLENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
EFFECTIVE OPERATIONAL MANGEMENT
GOOD NUMBER OF SUPPLIERS AND DISTRIBUTORS.
LOTS OF AWARDS
No.1 PAINT COMPANY IN PAINT INDUSTRY
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PLAYING LEADER ROLE IN PAINT INDUSTRY.

GIVING MORE IMPOTANCE FOR HUMAN POWER.
HIGHLY INNOVATED IN TECHNOLOGY.

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