Friday, March 2, 2012
PT Varia Usaha, a subsidiary of PT Semen Gresik Tbk (SMGR), is trying to pursue the year’s turnover of Rp3.2 trillion, an increase of approximately 12% from the actual turnover of 2011 which was Rp2.9 trillion. The Company is also targeting to achieve a net profit of Rp54 billion, growing 20% compared with its 2011’s profit of Rp45 billion.
"To realize these targets, we have prepared a number of investment and expansion plans, ranging from the addition of fleet until the expansion of distribution network," says President Director of PT Varia Usaha, Saifuddin Zuhri, Thursday (03/01/2012).
PT Varia Usaha is engaged in the businesses of cement distribution, transportation, and industrial goods. The company has five subsidiaries, including PT Varia Usaha Beton, PT Waru Abadi, PT Lintas Segara, PT Dharma Segara, and PT Varia Usaha Bahari.
Saifuddin further explains, the distribution and trading of cement has contributed approximately 50% of the total turnover gained by PT Varia Usaha. Last year, PT Varia Usaha distributed 1.2 million tons of cement produced by Semen Gresik. The transportation business contributed 35% and the remaining 15% was obtained from other businesses that have been operated by the company.
This year, PT Varia Usaha is preparing to add 100 units more of trucks to its fleet with an investment value of Rp80 billion. Currently, PT Varia Usaha has a fleet of 1,500 trucks, of which 900 units are its own proprietary. "We are planning to increase the number of our fleet in the first half year of 2012. The required fund of Rp80 billion for the investment will be met from our internally generated cash by 30% and the rest will be obtained from bank loans," he explains.
In addition to increasing the number of its land transportation fleet, PT Varia Usaha will also improve its marine transportation fleet. This year, the company plans to buy a 300 feet barge and a 2,000 ton dead weight ship for general cargo. The allocated budget for the investment will reach approximately Rp30 billion. Today, the marine transportation fleet owned by a subsidiary of the company includes one unit of 250 feet barge, two units of 270 feet barges, and one unit of 300 feet barge. Besides, the company also has two general cargo ships, respectively weighing 1,000 tons and 2,000 tons.
Related to issue of the expansion plan to improve the number of its cement distribution warehouses, Saifuddin says, the company has a plan to build three more cement distribution centers. "We are focusing on the addition of our cement distribution facilities in Central Java and Yogyakarta. For East Java, PT Varia Usaha already has many distribution points," he says.