Hyderabad, India, January 27, 2009:- Amara Raja Batteries Limited (BSE Code: 500008 & NSE Symbol: AMARAJABAT), the leading Indian manufacturer of Industrial and Automotive Batteries has recorded revenues of Rs.3390 million (Net Sales: Rs.3330 million + other income: Rs 60 million), PBT of Rs.287 million and PAT of Rs.187 million for the third quarter of FY 2008-09.

For the nine month period ended December 31, 2008, the Company recorded a net income Rs.10,106 million, resulting in a Profit Before Tax (PBT), excluding forex translation loss, of Rs.1,093 million.

Announcing the company’s results, Managing Director Mr. Jayadev Galla said, “We have crossed Rs.10,000 million mark in net income by the third quarter itself. This is close to 90% of FY08 annual income and indeed an achievement considering the current market conditions. The 27% increase in topline is due to healthy contribution from Industrial Battery Division and growth in Automotive After-market inline with market average. We have improved our market share in Industrial Battery Division and retained share in Automotive Battery Division, in spite of reduced off take in OE sector.”

He further added “We are committed to carry forward our capex plans to expand Medium VRLA capacity in the face of growing market opportunity. Establishment of adequate capacity for Motor Cycle and Small VRLA is also underway. ”

“While the volatility in lead continues to pose challenge for the business, provisioning for forex translation losses has impacted the bottom line for the 9 month period ending 31 December 2008. With focussed cost control efforts and prudent treasury management, we are optimally leveraging our cash flows” stated Mr.K.Suresh, Financial Controller.

 

Value in Millions INR
	Third Quarter Ended		Full Year
	31-Dec-08	31-Dec-07	2007 - 08
Net Sales	3330	3079	10833
PBT	287	475	1459
PAT	187	297	944

About Amara Raja Batteries Ltd

About Amara Raja Batteries Limited, an Amara Raja- Johnson Controls company with 26% equity from Johnson Controls, is the technology leader and is one of the largest manufacturers of lead acid batteries for both industrial and automotive applications in the Indian storage battery industry.

In India, Amara Raja is the preferred supplier to major telecom service providers, telecom equipment manufacturers, UPS Segments (OEM &Replacement), Indian railways and to power, Oil & Gas among other industry segments. Amara Raja manufactures and sells automotive batteries under the Brand Name AMARON which is distributed through a large pan-India sale-service retail network.

Company supplies automotive batteries under OE relationships to Ashok Leyland, General motors, Hindustan Motors, Honda, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti, Hyundai and Tata Motors. The company is an exclusive supplier to Daimler Chrysler, Ford and Swaraj Mazda. The company’s Industrial and Automotive batteries are exported to Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.

Johnson Controls is a global leader in interior experience, building efficiency and power solutions. The company provides innovative automotive interiors that help make driving more comfortable, safe and enjoyable. For buildings it offers products and services that optimize energy use and improve comfort and security. Johnson Controls also provides batteries for automobiles and hybrid electric vehicles, along with system engineering and service expertise. Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), founded in 1885, is head quartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its sales for 2008 totalled US $ 38.06 billion.

Safe Harbor
Some of the statements in this news release that are not historical facts are forward looking statements. These forward looking statements include our financial and growth projections as well as statements concerning our plans, strategies, intentions and beliefs concerning our business and the markets in which we operate. These statements are based on information currently available to us, and we assume no obligation to update these statements as circumstances change. There are risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events to differ materially from these forward looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, the level of the market demand for our products, the highly competitive market for the types of the products that we offer, market condition that would cause our customers to reduce their spending for our products, our ability to create, acquire and build new businesses and to grow our existing businesses, our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, currency fluctuations and market conditions in India and elsewhere around the world, and otherwise not specifically mentioned herein but those that are common to industry.

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