There is an almost hundred percent probability that a product of this company is in use in every home or commercial establishment in our country, every day!
Godrej touches the lives of millions of Indians every day. To them, it is a symbol of enduring ideals in a changing world
It all began in a tiny shed in Central Mumbai where a young Ardeshir Godrej gave up law and turned to lock-making, manufacturing high security Anchor brand locks on 7th May 1897.
Just three years after venturing into the safes business, HRH the Princess of Wales opted for a Godrej Safe on her visit to Bombay in 1905!
In 1909 Spring less Lock Patent Number 15773 was granted to Godrej under the seal of King Edward VII of England and early recognition of his penchant for innovation.
After achieving success in making safes and security equipment of the highest order, he stunned the world by creating in 1918, Chavi Bar a soap made entirely with vegetable fats.
Next year, another soap Godrej No.2 was launched. Why the name? Ardeshir Godrej explained, “If people find No. 2 so good, they will believe No. 1 to be even better”.
The first foray into the furniture business was in 1923 with a steel cupboard called ‘the Godrej.
In 1943, then the Government of Bombay auctioned Vikhroli village to Pirojsha Godrej, the brother who carried Ardeshir’s dream forward, leading Godrej towards becoming a vibrant, multi-business enterprise. Pirojsha laid the foundation for the sprawling industrial garden township now called Pirojshanagar where the Godrej Group has its headquarters.
In 1951, the Election Commissioner gave an order for the manufacture of 9 lakh ballot boxes for the first ever General Elections in India and on Independence Day 1952, the world famous deodorant hexachlorophene (G 11), Cinthol, was launched.
Godrej manufactured the first All Indian typewriter which was completely dominated by foreign brands till then, in 1955.
When Godrej brought out the 1st Indian refrigerator 62 years ago in July 1958, it quickly acquired a place of pride in Indian homes joining a league of aspirational products for a new and emerging India. Manufactured by General Electric Co. & Godrej, this was an all-steel, all-welded Model 9 with 212 litres capacity and classic white enamel finishing.
Their first hair colour product, a liquid hair dye, was launched in 1974 and became a runaway success. Godrej introduced a series of innovative hair care products through the years becoming a leading player in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
After acquiring Translektra in 1994, Godrej quickly became the number one player in household insecticides in India and Indonesia with Goodknight and HIT.
And in 2014, Godrej partnered ISRO on India’s first mission to Mars. Godrej Aerospace engines power the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and its precision components calculate the satellite’s trajectory to the millisecond.
Today, Godrej has 15 diverse business divisions offering Consumers: Agriculture, Audio Visual Solutions, Construction, Furniture, Properties, Locks, Food and Grocery. For Business: Godrej offers industrial products and services covering Aerospace, Appliances, Chemicals, Electricals and Electronics, Green Building and Consultancy Services, Materials Handling, Motors, Security Solutions, Vending machines, and InfoTech.
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– Melvyn Pinto
