In less than a month, two cement majors clearly showed their intent. The intent is to grow through an inorganic route. One by complete acquisition, the other by taking a large stake in the company. Another common thing, both of them are focussed on the southern part of India, where the cement companies have a history of being under pressure. So why are they looking toward southern India? The answer lies in something else. It is one of the key raw materials that have become scarce and that is what is leading to a situation where big players clearly know that if they have to grow their capacities they have to pick on companies which have access to that critical raw material. This aggressive consolidation is likely to continue and it is the smaller players which are likely to be targeted.
