--By Rashika Pokharel

 

Panchakanya Group, one of the leading corporate houses of Nepal having its focus on construction materials is planning to venture into the housing sector. “Construction materials have been our major focus since the very beginning and due to this reason we are planning to invest in housing sector,” said Pradeep Kumar Shrestha, Managing Director of Panchakanya Group .

 

The group has substantial investment in housing sector too. "Our major housing project is the Jharuwarashi based Shivam Housing. We have tied up with CE constructions in this project to build more than 60 houses. The construction process will commence very soon,” informed Shrestha. Besides this, the group has plans up its sleeve for venturing into the cement industry and into the agricultural sector.  Along with these projects, its 17 Megawatt hydropower is also under construction which is located in Phidim, Paanchthar.

 

Exploring new Sectors

Panchakanya Group is renowned for its presence in the manufacturing sector. However, it is shifting from conventional businesses and currently the group has a diverse investment portfolio. The group has investments in banks and finances, educational institution, hospital and other construction related projects, to name a few.

 

"We are associated with Nepal Investment Bank, Citizens' Bank, Bank of Kathmandu and Grand Bank as promoters and shareholders. In education sector, we are associated with the Banepa based Malpi School, in health sector we are associated with the Hams hospital. Apart from these, we are also involved in the IT sector through Pay Bill, a mobile banking system,” Shrestha, said while elaborating on the group’s investments. 

 

Target Customers

The group's major focus has always been on manufacturing construction materials. It considers construction material as one of the major component of country's development. The group believes in producing and manufacturing products that are necessary for every individual while regarding contractors, consultants and those involved in the construction sectors as its target customers.

 

Employment generation

Panchakanya believes in free competition, delivering quality products and being sincere. It has been providing employment opportunities to over 1000. "Our employees have been with us for more than three to four decades. We do not consider them as mere workers but regard them as our development partners,” says Shrestha.

 

Major companies and products

Starting four decades ago in Jhapa with rice mill, timber mill and oil factory, Panchakanya Group has now become a household name for Nepali customers. Coming now, the group has gradually expanded its business throughout the nation. Some of the group's major industrial units are now in Bhairawaha. It has five industries there, which are broadly segregated under steel and plastic divisions. 

 

Panckanya Steel industry is a renowned brand in the steel industry for manufacturing steel known as TMT bars. As a pioneer in producing plastic pipes, the group produces PPR and PVC pipes for household use. These pipes can supply hot and cold water. "We were the first in Nepal to manufacture these pipes,” Shrestha said. 

 

The group has three pipe manufacturing companies—Panchakanya Plastics, Panchakanya Rotomould and Panchakanya Plasts, which manufacture drinking water supply (SGP), telecom and irrigation pipes respectively. Apart from that the group has units, which manufacture wires, nails, binding wires, eco bars, among other things.

 

Besides being pioneer in introducing these products to Nepal, the group was the first to be recognized for its quality products. "We were the first to get the ISO certification for our products’ quality. We have continuously succeeded in being true to our business motto: Always first and always ahead,” Shrestha said.

 

The group is the manufacturer of LPG cylinders, known as Nepal cylinders along with manufacturing Butamine Emulsion in its Butamine and Barrel industry. Besides these, the group manufactures 200 litre drums in Amleshgunj and has a separate unit in the Kathmandu valley that produces stainless steel water tank. Shrestha says that stainless steel water tanks are becoming more popular among customers and gradually replacing the plastic water tanks. 

 

The group has units that manufacture PVC windows profiles. These profiles are replacing traditionally used wooden windows and the aluminium frames. Apart from that the group manufactures readymade concrete for constructing house, owns a furniture production unit and a rice mill in eastern Nepal.

 

CSR activities

 Panchakanya has always remained ahead in terms of CSR. Since the last 10 to 15 years, the group has been involved in many such activities, which includes tree plantation, blood donation camps, cleaning temples, supporting the needy people and construction of schools. It has also supported Nepal Traffic by providing reflector jackets. Currently, the group is planning to do rain water harvesting as a part of CSR activity. For this, the group has tied up with "Smart Paani".