
How is CenturyPly positioned in India’s wood products sector?
Century Plyboards (India) is the first ISO 9002 company in India for plywood and veneer. It also received ISO 14001 certification in 2004. The company has its manufacturing units in Kolkata, Chennai, Guwahati, Karnal, Kandla, Hoshiarpur, for manufacturing its entire range of Plywood (commercial, marine, shuttering), Laminates, Veneers, Doors, MDF, Prelam, Fibre Cement Boards, PVC, Exterior Grade Laminates.Starting with Borer Termite Proof Plywood, Boiling Waterproof to the recent nano technology-based properties like Virokill, best Firewall Technology or QR code application to test if its products are genuine, the company is well poised to grow in the branded wood panel and decorative business.
The company has carved a formidable presence in the Indian market, accounting for ~8% of the total plywood sales nationwide. Its impressive market share speaks of the company’s ability to consistently deliver high-quality products and meet the diverse needs of its customers. The company’s influence is even more pronounced within the organized segment of the plywood market, where it holds a market share of around 30%.
CenturyPly, one of the largest sellers of multi-use plywood and decorative veneers in India, has further solidified its position having reached a valuation of Rs. 14,220 cr as of March 31st, 2024 - the highest in India’s entire wood products sector. This milestone is a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction.
Keshav Bhajanka
How does the company plan to capitalize on the growing demand for high-quality wood products across India?
Chief among our strategic initiatives is the ambitious goal of achieving a remarkable Rs. 12,000 crores in annual turnover by the year 2031. We are investing in the expansion of our laminates, MDF, plywood and particle boards. We have also diversified into new product categories, with the launch of value-added laminates and MDF to cater to evolving customer preferences. The company has also invested in both brownfield and greenfield expansion, with the aim of bolstering the MDF and laminate production capabilities in the southern regions of the country.In April 2024, Century Plyboards began commercial dispatch of its Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) from its recently inaugurated 100% subsidiary Century Panels Limited at Badvel, YSR Kadapa district in Andhra Pradesh. This has led to the brand doubling its MDF capacity from 900 to 1800 CBM per day. We will also be exporting the MDF from the Badvel capacity, opening out to markets in West Asia and South-East Asia.
What are your plans for brownfield and greenfield expansions for bolstering your MDF and laminate production capabilities in the southern regions of the country?
A substantial amount of ~Rs. 1000 cr has been invested in establishing the laminate, MDF, and PVC unit in Andhra Pradesh. The first phase, featuring two large-size presses of laminates, is currently operational, while the MDF and PVC units are in advanced stages of commissioning. The second phase of this plant involves an additional investment of ~Rs. 1000 cr.This plant is a testament to our commitment to boost the broader economy. It marks a significant milestone, contributing to local economies, creating jobs, and supporting sustainable growth in the wood panel industry, and aligns with our vision for a prosperous industrial sector in the country.

What new and innovative products is the company offering for home interiors?
Anti-Fingerprint (AFP) Laminates: Available in 1mm thickness, the surface comes with features like velvet touch, scratch resistance, and fingerprint stain resistance. It comes with zero reflection and is high matt, which is fast becoming a global preference.Designer range by Manish Malhotra: Available in 1 mm thickness, the range is unique. It comes in 3 ranges: Floral - fashion for interiors; Fusion –extravagant, larger than life designs; and Insignia – Manish Malhotra signature series in different colours and arrangements.
We will soon be launching our Designer Choice Digital Printed Laminates in 1mm thickness. The digitally printed designs are inspired from natural designs of rattan, bamboo and cane.
Senzura Style - Reconstituted (Recon) Wood Veneer: In this range, the designs are replicable, and the same veneer can be obtained in any quantity. It is a product made from the wood commonly called “Poplar or Ayous”. The wooden beams are of a single colour which is treated and systematically dyed to create the grain patterns and colour of their wooden counterparts, which we see in the final product.
Please elaborate on the features of your newly launched Century Cubicles.
Century Plyboards has augmented its plywood category with the launch of Century Cubicles, designed for use in commercial toilets. The cubicles are available in 62 shades and their hardware is in SS and Nylon (Black) finish.They need to be installed by trained technicians. They are anti-bacterial, resistant to scratches, abrasion, impact, water humidity, and high temperatures. These durable products are also easy to maintain.

What are the company’s plans to widen its dealer network and in which regions of the country?
CenturyPly currently boasts a robust dealer network of over 3,000+ dealers and 5,000+ retailers, spread across 1,400+ cities and towns across India. The company is implementing strategic measures to further widen its network and ensure deeper market penetration. It is targeting under-represented towns that have a population of 30,000+ where the company has minimal or no presence. These towns represent untapped potential for expanding the dealer and retailer base, especially in regions with high growth prospects for the building material industry.CenturyPly plans to adopt the Fix Day Fix Route (FDFR) model to drive penetration in smaller towns with low capital potential. This model ensures reduced entry barriers, with the focus on low-capital investment partnerships, making it easier for new dealers and retailers to join the network. We are also enabling optimized deliveries of smaller quantities to cater to localized demands more effectively, ensuring consistent availability of products.
Our focus is also on holistic network strengthening – a strategy that will also emphasize onboarding dealers with limited fund corpus and low stocking capacity in upcountry markets, aligning with the growing demand in tier 2, 3, and 4 cities. This approach ensures a balanced and scalable network, extending beyond metros and urban centres to semi-urban and rural markets. This strategic direction reinforces CenturyPly’s commitment to market penetration, customer proximity, and providing high-quality solutions across diverse geographies.
How is the company’s export business growing?
The company’s impressive export figures for its line of laminates have been steadily climbing in recent years, showcasing the growing global demand for its high-quality products. In the last financial year alone, the company’s exports of laminates reached an astounding figure of around Rs 150 crore, a testament to the brand’s reputation for manufacturing durable, stylish, and versatile laminates sought-after by customers worldwide.The company has plans to double this export value to Rs 300 crore within the next three years. This projected doubling of laminate exports underscores the company’s strategic focus on expanding its global footprint, leveraging its technological innovations, production efficiencies, and quality standards to make its laminates the preferred choice for discerning customers across international markets.