Oldest Indian Businesses and Their Current Operations: Part IV

Finally reaching the last part of our series, we take a look at three more companies that have journeyed through the years and navigated the winding road to success.

Apeejay Surrendra Group
TVS Group
Bajaj Group

Apeejay Surrendra Group

The Indian business conglomerate was founded in the year 1910 by Lala Pyare Lal in the city of Jalandhar, which was then relocated to Kolkata in the year 1951. The company was first set up to manufacture steel goods for the domestic agricultural market. Slowly and steadily, it grew and expanded into the shipping business in 1948.

A scarcity of steel and steel goods in the 1950s proved to be the turning point of success for the conglomerate as it turned to non-traditional sources of steel and began importing from countries like USSR, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, East Germany, and China. The imports included products for construction and infrastructure building. This led to the group’s expansion in diverse international markets that included steel, finished steel products, coal, and machinery. The Apeejay Surrendra group successfully set up India’s most advanced steel mill and was among the first in the country to manufacture stainless steel.

With time and globalization, the group has ventured into other diversified businesses and proven its mettle by turning those businesses into international successes. Some of the group's businesses include hotels, real estate, construction, tea estates, logistics, knowledge parks, and pharmaceuticals.

Apeejay Tea Ltd

The company was incorporated in the year 1995 and has a long association with Assam through its tea plantations and the Kharjan estate.

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Ltd.

The Park Hotels are pioneers in luxury boutique hotels operating for over 50 years

Apeejay Shipping Ltd.

Beginning operations in the year 1948, the company operates a fleet of modern dry bulk carriers globally.

Apeejay Oxford Bookstores Pvt. Ltd.

True to its name, the company operates retail outlets offering books and other related items to its customers.

Apeejay Infralogistics Pvt. Ltd.

The company is dedicated to having an integrated approach to creating and developing support facilities like parking yards, business centers, office parks, food courts, weighbridges, security services, etc.

Apeejay Insurance Broking Services Pvt. Ltd.

The company was incorporated in the year 2004 and operates worldwide. They provide expert services in underwriting commerciality, coverage and responsiveness, policy administration, and claims. Their general services portfolio includes services like insurance portfolio analysis, risk assessment, and post-placement services.

TVS Group

The TVS Group, aptly named after its founder, T. V. Sundaram Iyengar was founded in the year 1911, with Madurai’s first bus service. The company’s main business was in the transportation sector as it owned and operated a large fleet of trucks and buses under the name Southern Roadways.

As the company grew and expanded its business operations, the group established a new company called Sundaram Clayton in the year 1962 in collaboration with Clayton Dewandre Holdings of the United Kingdom. The company established its plant in the year 1976 in Hosur that manufactured mopeds. It was in the year 1980 that India’s first ever two-seater moped, TVS 50, rolled out of this factory. Following this, the company began commercially producing motorcycles in the year 1989 after another collaboration with the Japanese auto giant Suzuki Ltd., in the year 1987. The TVS Group successfully operates more than 50 subsidiary companies, 9 of which are publicly listed.

TVS Motor Company

This is the flagship company of the group and manufactures motorcycles. In terms of revenue, it is the third-largest motorcycle company in India.

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Sundaram Fasteners Ltd.

Established in the year 1966, the company now operates globally and manufactures critical high-precision components for the automotive, windmill, and aviation sectors.

Sundaram Clayton Ltd.

Founded in 1962, the company is based in Chennai and makes aluminum and magnesium castings for the automotive industry.

TVS Srichakra Ltd.

The company began in the year 1982 and is a leading manufacturer of tires and tubes for two and three-wheelers in the country. It also has a large program of Off-the-road tires for the export and domestic market.

Wheels India Ltd.

As the name suggests, the company is a global player in the auto components industry. It manufactures wheels for cars, UVs, commercial vehicles, tractors, and construction and earthmover equipment.

India Motor Parts & Accessories Ltd.

Founded in the year 1954, the company’s business operation includes the distribution of automobile spare parts and accessories.

India Nippon Electricals Ltd.

The company was incorporated in the year 1984, it manufactures electronic ignition systems for two-wheelers.

TVS Electronics Ltd.

The company which began in the year 1986 designs, manufactures, and distributes IT products, dot-matrix printers, point-of-sale terminals, printer supplies, keyboards, mobiles, mouse, uninterruptible power supplies, and set-top boxes.

Sundaram Brake Linings Ltd.

Founded in 1976, the company manufactures automotive, non-automotive, railways, and industrial friction materials.

TVS Real Estate (Emerald)

This is the real estate arm of the TVS Group and is into residential and commercial real estate.

Bajaj Group

Founded by Jamnalal Bajaj in the year 1926, the Bajaj Group’s core business operation was in the two-wheeler industry. His son, Kamalnayan Bajaj expanded the business by branching into the manufacture of scooters, three-wheelers, cement, alloy casting, and electricals.

The Bajaj Group’s flagship company, Bajaj Auto has been ranked as the world’s fourth largest two and three-wheeler manufacturer. Over the years, the group has evolved and expanded to comprise 40 companies and subsidiaries that operate under the Bajaj Group umbrella. The conglomerate’s various businesses span various industries including automobiles (two and three-wheelers), home appliances, lighting, iron and steel, insurance, travel, and finance.

Bajaj Auto Ltd.

Founded in the year 1945, the company is an automotive manufacturer of scooters, motorcycles, and auto-rickshaws.

Bajaj Consumer Care Ltd.

The company began its business operations in 1930 in the consumer care sector with hair care products.

Bajaj Finance Ltd.

This non-banking financial company began its operations in the year 1987 and is headquartered in Pune. It is an investment and credit company and a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv Ltd.

Bajaj Electricals Ltd.

Founded in the year 1938, the company manufactures electrical equipment like lighting, luminaries, appliances, fans, LPG-based generators, etc.

Bajaj Ventures Ltd.

The company operates under the Bajaj Group umbrella manufacturing power tools, household appliances, and other related accessories.

Bajaj Healthcare Ltd.

The pharmaceutical arm of the Bajaj Group, the company was established in the year 1993 and is a bulk manufacturer that serves various pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and food industries globally.

Other notable companies that successfully operate under the Bajaj Group are Bajaj Finserv Ltd, Bajaj Energy, Bajaj Hindustan, Bajaj Steel Industries Ltd., Mukand, and Bajaj Holdings & Investments.

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Conclusion

The corporate world of today is fast, evolving and a continual challenge to entrepreneurs. A look at these companies and the way they have traversed through time accepting varied obstacles and challenges, and negotiating through them with intelligence, understanding, and insight, provides inspiration and strength.

FAQs

When was the Apeejay Surrendra group formed?

The Indian business conglomerate was founded in the year 1910 by Lala Pyare Lal in the city of Jalandhar.

Who was the founder of the TVS group?

The TVS Group, aptly named after its founder, T. V. Sundaram Iyengar was founded in the year 1911, with Madurai’s first bus service.

Which is the flagship company of the Bajaj group?

The Bajaj Group’s flagship company is Bajaj Auto which has been ranked as the world’s fourth largest two and three-wheeler manufacturer.