Asian Paints posted a stellar first-quarter on the back of improved margins.

KBS Anand, MD & CEO of the company spoke to CNBC-TV18 about the results and outlook.

Anand said that demand momentum is back to pre-goods and services tax (GST) days.

Talking about business, he said, “Competition is severe everywhere and has been that way for a longtime. There were some new players in the south or players that had got regressive in the south.”

According to him, raw material prices have increased by 10 percent year-on-year.

He further said that the first phase of Mysore plant of 3 lakh KL per annum to be on stream in September and Vizag plant of 3 lakh KL per annum to be on stream in January.

On capacity front, Anand said, “Our current capacity is about 1300,000 KL per annum and utilization is about 75-80 percent.”

"We will pass on GST rate cut to consumers but will assess the timing," he mentioned.