Chennai, July 26: Amara Raja Batteries Ltd (ARBL) has recorded a 5 per cent decline in net profit for the first quarter of 2000-01 at Rs 2.26 crore as against Rs 2.38 crore a year ago. The gross profit for the period stood at Rs 3.01 crore, up 2.75 per cent from Rs 3.38 crore in the same quarter of the previous year. Sales were at Rs 20.09 crore, up from Rs 15.16 crore a year ago.The company's industrial battery volumes in total ampere-hours are higher by 47 per cent over the same quarter last year. With its order-booking ahead of target and increased private sector investments in telecom and cellular network expansion, the company expects to sustain growth registered in the first quarter.
The company's strategic alliance with Johnson Controls Inc, the largest manufacturer of lead acid batteries in North America, has given it access to technology and OEM relationship in the car battery segment.
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