From the simple lock and safes to keep your valuables and your still strong-standing almirah to the fragrant soaps and reaching the Moon, there is one thing in common- Godrej company. Established in 1857, the Godrej company has its roots in the Swadeshi movement, which made its place in the hearts and homes of the people quickly and as of September 2023, the Godrej Group’s value is Rs 1,76,000 crore made up of five listed companies namely Godrej Industries, Godrej Consumer Products, Godrej Properties, Godrej Agrovet, and Astec LifeSciences.
While Godrej company was founded by Ardeshir Godrej, it was shaped by Adi Godrej after he entered the family business in the early 1960s. Adi Godrej recently turned 82 on April 3. Let’s take a look at the success of Godrej company.
Godrej company was founded by Ardeshir Godrej, whose dream of becoming a lawyer never took off and instead, he decided to make surgical equipment. However, his clients refused to accept the equipment due to the “Made in India” branding on them. But, very soon in 1987, he tasted his first success by making locks and setting up a lock-making factory.
Before Ardeshir Godrej came up with locks, India imported factory-made locks. By 1908, the businessman had already patented the first springless lock in the world and slowly changed the history of India with his contributions. After the locks, Ardeshir Godrej made the first vegetarian soap in India and it was a huge hit. The foreign company’s soaps were made using animal fat, but Ardeshir made the first vegetarian soap with vegetable oil extracts in 1919 and called it Chavi. It was not only cruelty-free at that time, but it was a Swadeshi alternative which Indians were ready to buy. Interestingly, it was also endorsed by Rabindranath Tagore, Dr Annie Besant and C Rajagopalachari.
In 1944, Godrej cemented its name as a trusted company after a major accident. At the end of World War II, at Bombay SS Fort Stikine was docked, which was carrying ammunition, spares for ships and aircraft, gold bars, flammable cargo and much more. A small fire started on April 14. It was reportedly turned out so fatal that 700 people lost their lives. However, apart from debris, what was kept inside the Godrej safe was completely safe from that fire.
The first general elections in democratic India were not just a trial for the country but also for Godrej company, which was responsible for making ballot boxes which were supposed to be tamper-proof, waterproof and safe-from-vermin boxes. During the 60s and 70s, Godrej was very much involved in architectural fabrication, which was steel windows and door frames. As the company touched new heights, their product became more in demand and from the campus of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research at Colaba, Mumbai, louvres of the library, Air India building and Oberoi Hotel, Godrej imprint can be found.
In 1963, Adi Godrej joined the family venture. He quickly realised that the company was working in an old-fashioned way and needed a few reforms. One of the biggest challenges he faced was the way the company operated. But soon, he limited the participation of family members in the company and decided to bring in professionals in the decision-making process. He hired outsiders for positions like the CEO or the COO of the company. Soon, the company gained global recognition.
Soon, Godrej delved into making typewriters and gave Remington tough competition in India. The production of typewriters helped the company cement its place in India’s first space odyssey. Godrej developed a high-precision satellite for the Indian Space Research Organisation and has helped ISRO in many missions like Mangalyaan and Chandrayaan.
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