Welcome to part – III of our four-part series on the oldest businesses in India and their journey over the years. All these businesses have journeyed through the murky waters of both world wars and have emerged victorious. Join us as we continue giving our readers a deep insight into how these businesses have grown and enfolded newer technologies within their business operations as well as evolving internally in every facet of their organization to embrace the changing corporate scenario.
Kirloskar Group
Godrej Group
Murugappa Group
Kirloskar Group
| Group | Kirloskar Group |
|---|---|
| Founder | Laxmanrao Kirloskar |
| Founded | 1888 |
| Industry | Conglomerate |
The holding company, Kirloskar Brothers Ltd., was established in 1888 by Laxmanrao Kirloskar and is headquartered in Pune. It was one of the earliest industrial groups in the engineering industry in the country and the manufacturer of the country’s first modern iron plough.
However, it was under his son Shantanurao Laxmanrao Kirloskar’s leadership that the company achieved one of the highest growth rates in the country’s history recording 32401% asset growth between 1950 and 1991. It was in the year 1974 that the Kirloskar Group began manufacturing tractors in cooperation with the German firm Deutz-Fahr, which has now ceased. The group is engaged in manufacturing centrifugal pumps, engines, compressors, screw and centrifugal chillers, lathes, and electrical equipment like electric motors, transformers, and generators. The Kirloskar Group exports its products to more than 70 countries in most of Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe.
Through the years, the company’s core business has gotten stronger and it has expanded its business operations foraying into various other sectors in a bid to stay relevant and successful in highly competitive and emerging markets.
Kirloskar Ferrous Industries Ltd.
The company was founded in 1991 to transform the high-quality pig iron and grey iron casting industry.
Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd.
The company is engaged in manufacturing diesel engines and generator sets for all commercial and residential usage.
Kirloskar Pneumatic Company Ltd.
One of the core group companies, it was founded by Shantanurao in 1958 as the manufacturer of air compressors and pneumatic tools. It has since diversified into air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, marine HVACR, Process Gas Systems, and Hydraulic Power Transmission Machinery.
Kirloskar Electric Company
Established in 1946, the company first brought in the indigenous electrical manufacturing industry in India. Currently, the company makes more than 70 products under 8 different product groups that cater to core sectors like power generation, transmission and distribution, transportation, renewable energy, sugar, steel, cement, and allied industries.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd.
A joint venture between Toyota Motor Corporation and Kirloskar Group, the company manufactures and sells Toyota Cars in India.
Kirloskar Investments and Finance Ltd.
Incorporated in the year 1983, the company has been engaged in undertaking lease, hire purchase, bill discounting and portfolio investments, and other fund-based activities.
Kirloskar Chillers Pvt. Ltd.
A leading player in the HVAC&R space for the past 25 years, the company designs innovative solutions for comfort and process cooling and heating applications.
Godrej Group
| Group | Godrej Group |
|---|---|
| Founder | Ardeshir Godrej and Pirojsha Burjorji Godrej |
| Founded | 1897 |
| Industry | Conglomerate |
Ardeshir Godrej and Pirojsha Burjorji Godrej founded the Godrej Group in the year 1897. The company’s core business was manufacturing locks with lever technology. In the year 1902, the company made India’s first safe backing it up with incorporating Godrej Soaps Limited in the year 1918. A little over 30 years later, the company produced India’s first indigenous typewriter.
Over the years, the company has diversified and entered into various businesses relevant to the market and the consumer. Headquartered in Mumbai, the conglomerate successfully entered and operated businesses in sectors including real estate, consumer products, industrial engineering, home appliances, furniture, security, aerospace, infotech, and agricultural products. The Godrej group’s subsidiaries and affiliated companies include Godrej Industries, Godrej Consumer Products, Godrej Agrovet, Godrej Properties, and the private holding company Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd.
Godrej Consumer Products Ltd.
Founded in the year 2001, the company’s product repertoire includes soap, hair color, toiletries, and liquid detergents.
Godrej Infotech Ltd.
As the name suggests, the company is a software services and consulting company. It was, formerly, an IT division of Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd.
Godrej Properties Ltd.
The company was established in 1990 and has been instrumental in the construction of residential, commercial, and township projects.
Godrej Agrovet
The company is a food and agricultural conglomerate that is dedicated to improving the productivity of Indian farmers by innovating products and services that sustainably increase crop and livestock yields.
Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd.
This is the flagship company of the Godrej Group which is privately held. The company is engaged in engineering and construction projects.
Godrej Aerospace
The company is the sole manufacturer of liquid engines for space launch vehicles for ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation).
Shalini Rath
Murugappa Group
| Group | Murugappa Group |
|---|---|
| Founder | A. M. Murugappa Chettiar |
| Founded | 1900 |
| Industry | Conglomerate |
The Murugappa Group foundation was laid by Dewan Bahadur A. M. Murugappa Chettiar when he established a money-lending and banking business in the year 1900. It was first set up in Moulmein, Burma (now Myanmar). It then spread to British Malaya, Ceylon, Dutch East Indies, and French Indo-China. The business was then moved to India in the 1930s. Over the years, the Murugappa group established many companies across various industry sectors that include abrasives, auto components, bicycles, sugar, farm inputs, fertilizers, plantations, bioproducts, and nutraceuticals.
The Murugappa group is headquartered in Chennai and boasts 28 businesses under the group’s umbrella, 9 of which are listed on the BSE and NSE. Some of the well-known brands of the Murugappa group include BSA, Hercules, Montra, Mach City, Ballmaster, Ajax, Parry’s, Chola, Gromor, Shanthi Gears, and Paramfos.
Carborundum Universal Ltd.
The company was founded in 1954 and is engaged in manufacturing and developing abrasives, ceramics, refractories, aluminum oxide grains, machine tools, polymers, adhesives, and electro minerals.
Cholamandalam Financial Holdings Ltd.
Founded in 1949, the company’s business operations include products and services in financial services, insurance, and other allied services.
Cholamandalam Investment & Finance Company Ltd.
It was in the year 1978 that the company was established and as the name suggests, offers products and services in the investment and finance sectors including vehicle finance, home loans, mortgage loans, and wealth management.
Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Company
Founded in the year 2001, the company is a joint venture between the Murugappa Group and a Japanese insurance company Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group, the company’s business operations include offering general insurance to individuals.
Coromandel International Ltd.
The company was established in the year 1961 and is an Indian crop protection corporation. The company’s original name was Coromandel Fertilizers and it makes fertilizers, pesticides, and specialty nutrients.
Coromandel Engineering Company Ltd.
Established in the year 1947 as a part of the Murugappa Group, the company is engaged in the field of construction and property development.
Eid Parry India Ltd.
The company’s business is in the manufacturing sector making sugar and nutraceuticals. It is present in the farm inputs business that includes bio-pesticides.
Parry Agro Industries Ltd.
The company is one of the leading producers of CTC, Orthodox, Organic, and Green teas in the country.
Tube Investments of India Ltd.
Founded in the year 1959, the company is an engineering and manufacturing business that specializes in bicycles, metal-formed products, and chains.
With many other businesses operating successfully under its parent umbrella, Murugappa Holdings, the group is currently led by MM Murugappan, Executive Chairman.
Alan Joseph
The Journey Continues…
As we are inching towards the last part of this series, we look at three more home-grown companies that are a continued source of inspiration to all upcoming entrepreneurs…..
FAQs
Who is the founder of Kirloskar Group?
Kirloskar Brothers Ltd. was established in 1888 by Laxmanrao Kirloskar and is headquartered in Pune.
Name the subsidiaries of the Godrej group.
The Godrej group’s subsidiaries and affiliated companies include Godrej Industries, Godrej Consumer Products, Godrej Agrovet, Godrej Properties, and the private holding company Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd.
Who founded Murugappa Group?
The Murugappa Group foundation was laid by Dewan Bahadur A. M. Murugappa Chettiar when he established a money-lending and banking business in the year 1900.
