Started in 1897 as a locks manufacturing company, the Godrej Group is currently one of the most accomplished and diversified business houses in India . The Godrej brand straddles across various products, including locks, cupboards, refrigerators, hair dye, edible oil and soaps. In 1930, Godrej became the first company in the world to develop the technology to manufacture soap using vegetable oils.
The Tata brand represents assurance, reliability, a sense of nationalism (and) value for money, irrespective of the product, whether it is a wrist watch, tea, salt, a piece of software or a car. The Tata Group was established by Jamsetji Tata in the second half of the 19th century. Top brands from the Tata stable include Indica, Tanishq, Titan, Voltas and Tetley.
The Bajaj brand is well-known in over a dozen countries in Europe, Latin America, the US and Asia . Founded in 1926, at the height of India 's movement for independence from the British, the group has an illustrious history. Jamnalal Bajaj, founder of the group, was a close confidant and disciple of Mahatma Gandhi. In fact, Gandhiji had adopted him as his son.
The name TVS is synonymous with automobiles. The TVS Group is the largest industrial group in South India . Originating as a transport company in 1911, it now comprises over 35 companies that operate in diverse fields such as automotive component manufacturing, automotive dealerships and electronics.
The Wadias' first venture, over 250 years ago, was in the area of ship-building, more than 355 ships were designed and built by the Wadias, including men-of-war for the British Navy. In 1879, Nowrosjee Wadia set his sights on India 's mushrooming textile industry. The Bombay Dyeing & Manufacturing Co Ltd was born on August 23, 1879. More than a company, a legacy was born.
Hindustan Lever Ltd, now Hindustan Unilever Ltd, has famous brands like Pears, Lux and Vim to its portfolio. Vanaspati was launched in 1918 and the famous Dalda brand came to the market in 1937. In 1931, Unilever set up its first Indian subsidiary, Hindustan Vanaspati Manufacturing Company, followed by Lever Brothers India Limited (1933) and United Traders Limited (1935). These three companies merged to form HLL in November 1956.
Cadbury began its operations in 1948 by importing chocolates and then re-packing them before distribution in the Indian market. Some of the key brands are Dairy Milk, 5 Star, Perk, Éclairs and Celebrations. Cadbury enjoys a value market share of over 70%. Since 1965 Cadbury has also pioneered the development of cocoa cultivation in India .
The TTK Group was started in 1928 by T. T. Krishnamachari, and is still largely owned by the family. The TTK Group has been associated with several brands, which are now household names in the country, such as Prestige Pressure Cookers, Woodward's Gripe Water, Kohinoor, Brylcreem and Kiwi Shoe polishes.
The Kirloskar group launched its first iron plough, pump and engine; inventions that were devised from the need of the hour and went on to become signs of the time. The Kirloskar story starts with Laxmanrao Kirloskar, the founder. A highlight of the early history of the group is Kirloskarvadi , India 's first industrial township.
ITC was incorporated on August 24, 1910 under the name of 'Imperial Tobacco Company of India Limited'. ITC has a diversified presence in cigarettes, hotels, paperboards & specialty papers, packaging, agri-business, packaged foods & confectionery, information technology, branded apparel and greeting cards. The company's ownership progressively Indianised, and the name of the company was changed to I.T.C. Limited in 1974.
Cadila was founded in 1952. The dawn of 50s ushered in an era of awakening. Having broken free from the bondage of dormant history, a need arose for the country to be self-sufficient in all spheres. With the entire nation gearing up to make India self reliant, Ramanbhai B. Patel, founder, turned an entrepreneur, determined to contribute his share by setting up a pharmaceutical company.
Murugappa Group has its origins in 1900, when Dewan Bahadur A M Murugappa Chettiar established a money-lending and banking business in Burma . The Murugappa Group strategically moved its assets back to India and restarted from scratch in the 1930s. Starting with a sandpaper plant, the Group forayed into making steel safes, and then into manufacturing. It set up an insurance company, and bought a rubber plantation.
Indian Oil Corporation Ltd was born on September 1, 1964 with the merger of Indian Refineries Ltd. with Indian Oil Company Ltd. IOC top brands include Servo lubricants and Indane LPG -- used in 40 million homes as cooking fuel and commands over 48% market share in the country. Indian Oil Corporation is now a Fortune 500 company.
Ambassador was the first car to be manufactured in India . Amby has been ruling the Indian roads ever since its inception in 1948. Originally based on Morris Oxford (United Kingdom, 1948), the Ambassador has been undergoing a series of changes, adapting to customer expectations. Amby largely remains the "official" car of India , ferrying babus and netas alike. Ambassador, the only automobile to ply Indian roads for more than five decades now, has carved a special niche for itself in the passenger car segment.
