Steel pipe maker Zenith Birla has posted a 25% rise in net profit at INR 5 crore in the quarter ended December 31st 2009, largely due to lower taxes. Sales fell by 5% to INR 155 crore from INR 163 crore.

The Yash Birla Group company produces steel pipes that find applications in water and gas, line pipes, structural pipes, conveyor idlers, bore well casings, scaffolding tubes, electric poles, telecommunications, conduits, precision tubes, and automobile chassis.

The company also exports its products to the US, West Asia, Africa and Europe. Shares of the company on the BSE were up 4.44% at INR 24.7.