Business - The Purbottar

07 Apr

HPCL ensures steady fuel supply, delivers 62.83 lakh LPG cylinders; tightens action on distributors

Business BureauBusiness

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has maintained uninterrupted fuel and LPG supply across the country, supported by a robust supply chain and intensified enforcement measures. Between April 1 and 5, HPCL recorded nozzle sales of 132.81 TMT of Petrol (MS) and 277.64 TMT of Diesel (HSD), reflecting steady consumption trends. To ensure seamless distribution, 30,994 tankers carrying MS, HSD and PDS SKO were dispatched nationwide. In the LPG segment, the company delivered 62.83 lakh cylinders during the same period, while also supplying 1,05,183 Free Trade LPG cylinders of 5 kg and 10,187 cylinders of 2 kg to improve last-mile access…

07 Apr

Biocon to Fill Global Insulin Gap as Rivals Prioritize High-Margin Weight Loss Drugs

nanika EditorBusiness

As the global pharmaceutical landscape undergoes a seismic shift toward GLP-1 "miracle" drugs, Biocon is doubling down on a different mission: becoming the world’s primary provider of insulin. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson of Biocon, recently outlined a strategic roadmap that positions the Indian firm to capture the market share being vacated by global giants like Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, and Sanofi. The strategy stems from a visible "recalibration" by major players. As these companies prioritize high-margin GLP-1 and incretin-based therapies, they are increasingly shifting away from complex insulin delivery systems like cartridges and pens. While GLP-1 drugs have revolutionized Type-2 diabetes…

07 Apr

Kotak BizLabs Season 2 selects 71 startups, expands funding push beyond metro cities

Business BureauBusiness

Kotak Mahindra Bank on April 6 announced the selection of 71 startups for Season 2 of its Kotak BizLabs Accelerator Programme, with 60 startups set to receive structured grants of up to ₹30 lakh each. The programme marks a significant expansion in outreach, with 53% of selected startups coming from non-metro regions, reflecting a shift in India’s entrepreneurial landscape. The cohort includes startups from 13 states across 12 sectors such as AI, deep tech, agritech, sustainability, clean energy, edtech, and healthcare. Season 2 received 3,088 applications—an 80% rise from the previous edition—with over 80% of applicants from beyond the four…

07 Apr

Hyatt expands India footprint with Chennai beachfront hotel, Bengaluru serviced apartments deal

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Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced plans to expand its presence in India through two new properties in partnership with Brigade Group. The company signed management agreements with Brigade Hotel Ventures Limited and BCV Developers Private Limited for the upcoming Grand Hyatt Chennai ECR and Hyatt House Bengaluru Devanahalli. The Grand Hyatt Chennai ECR, slated to open in 2029, will be a premium beachfront hotel along East Coast Road, featuring around 200 rooms, five dining venues, wellness facilities, and large event spaces catering to leisure, business, and MICE segments. Brigade officials said the project aims to position Chennai as a key…

06 Apr

Xiaomi unveils REDMI Note 15 special edition with premium design, AI features and long battery life

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Xiaomi India has announced the launch of the REDMI Note 15 Special Edition, introducing a feature-rich smartphone focused on design, performance and all-day usability. The device sports a 6.77-inch curved AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 3200 nits, offering enhanced viewing across lighting conditions. Built with a slim 7.35mm profile and weighing around 178g, the phone comes in Crimson Reserve, Carbon Black and Frosted White finishes. Powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, the smartphone supports efficient multitasking and gaming. It houses a 50MP AI dual rear camera and a 20MP front camera,…

06 Apr

ABD appoints Amar Sinha as MD designate, signals next growth phase

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Allied Blenders and Distillers Limited (ABD), India’s largest domestic spirits company by volume, has announced the appointment of Amar Sinha as Managing Director (MD) Designate, effective April 2, 2026. The decision was approved by the company’s Board of Directors as the tenure of current MD Alok Gupta nears completion, marking a planned leadership transition aligned with ABD’s long-term growth strategy. Sinha brings over three decades of leadership experience in the alco-beverage and consumer sectors. He has previously held key positions, including Chief Operating Officer at Radico Khaitan, Managing Director at Whyte & Mackay India, and senior roles at Herbertsons under…

06 Apr

Wipro Secures Landmark $1 Billion Transformation Deal with Olam Group; Acquires Mindsprint for $375 Million

nanika EditorBusiness

Olam Group's global operations undergo a comprehensive digital overhaul at the center of the partnership. As a key component of this agreement, Wipro will acquire Mindsprint, Olam’s in-house IT and digital services business, for $375 million in an all-cash transaction. Headquartered in Singapore, Mindsprint brings a specialized workforce of over 3,200 professionals and a deep portfolio of proprietary "farm-to-fork" technology solutions. Wipro CEO Srini Pallia highlighted that this engagement is a pivotal step in scaling "Wipro Intelligence"—the company’s suite of AI-powered platforms—across the agricultural sector. By integrating Mindsprint’s domain expertise, Wipro aims to modernize Olam’s vast supply chain, which currently…

06 Apr

TAFE posts record FY26 sales, outpaces industry growth with over 2.14 lakh tractor dispatches

Business BureauBusiness

India’s second-largest tractor manufacturer, Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited (TAFE), has reported its highest-ever annual performance in FY26, clocking total tractor sales of 2,14,951 units. The company also outpaced industry growth, registering a strong 37.4% surge in March 2026 compared to the domestic industry’s 29% growth for the same period. The record performance was driven by robust demand across key agricultural regions, supported by TAFE’s strong product portfolio and deep engagement with farmers. Both its flagship brands—Massey Ferguson and Eicher Tractors—achieved their highest-ever domestic sales during the fiscal year. Export performance also remained steady, with 12,584 tractors shipped globally, highlighting…

06 Apr

HPCL ensures steady fuel & LPG supply; cracks down on malpractices nationwide

Business BureauBusiness

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) on Sunday said it continues to maintain uninterrupted supply of fuel and LPG across the country, backed by strong operational efficiency and strict enforcement measures. On April 4, 2026, HPCL recorded sales of 38,986 KL (over 3.8 crorelitres) of petrol and 69,357 KL (over 6.9 crorelitres) of diesel, serving more than 1.94 crore customers nationwide. To ensure seamless distribution, the company dispatched 9,951 fuel tankers to retail outlets across regions. In the LPG segment, HPCL delivered 14.4 lakh cylinders, maintaining normal supply levels. It also supplied 31,786 units of 5 kg and 2,383 units of…

04 Apr

India’s Manufacturing Surge: Cabot Sanmar to Commission Expanded Silica Plant by 2027

nanika EditorBusiness

In a major move to bolster India’s specialty chemicals sector, Cabot Sanmar—a joint venture between the US-based Cabot Corporation and India’s The Sanmar Group—announced a significant expansion of its fumed silica manufacturing capacity on Saturday. The brownfield project, located in Mettur, Salem district, involves an investment of ₹220 crore (approximately $25 million) aimed at addressing the surging domestic demand for high-performance chemical ingredients. The foundation stone for the new unit was unveiled by Sean Keohane, president and CEO of Cabot Corporation, alongside Vijay Sankar, chairman of The Sanmar Group. This expansion is strategically timed to support India’s rapidly growing advanced…