BALMER LAWRIE - PSU

Balmer Lawrie is a highly diversified company operating eight distinct strategic business units (SBUs) occupying a leading presence in most of these industries. It is India’s largest manufacturer of metal drums with manufacturing units at eight locations, operates three container freight stations with over 2.5 million sq ft of warehousing space and also provides integrated logistical services. The Kolkata headquartered company also manufacturers lubricants at its 5 plants with 72,000 tonne annual capacity, undertakes highly technical engineering contracts for the oil industry, and at the same time is one of the largest IATA affiliated tour & travel operator. Leather chemicals and tea are the smaller of its operating segments. Although the economic turmoil of last year restricted its profit growth to a single-digit, the recovery in the current year is likely to boost its profitability. Being debt-free and having a strong dividend history makes it an evergreen investment candidate.