Great Indian Companies

India Business News

Top Companies in India 6 of India's Top Companies and their Profiles.

India's most trusted companies are rated, ranked and profiled based on their impact on the Indian Business marketplace.

Infosys Technologies

Hindustan Lever

Reliance

Maruti Udyof

Wipro

Dr. Reddy's Lab

Infosys Technologies

A company

that adds an organization equivalent to half its size every year poses a very stiff challenge to those reclusive strategists-the board of directories.With annual growth revenue of $1 billion plus,the board of directories include N.R. Narayana Murthy,Nandan Nilekani,Omkar Goswami,Larry pressler and Claude Smadja. Infosys Technologies Ltd. provides consulting and IT services to clients globally - as partners to conceptualize and realize technology driven business transformation initiatives. With over 58,000 employees worldwide, we use a low-risk Global Delivery Model (GDM) to accelerate schedules with a high degree of time and cost predictability. As one of the pioneers in strategic offshore outsourcing of software services, Infosys has leveraged the global trend of offshore outsourcing. Even as many software outsourcing companies were blamed for diverting global jobs to cheaper offshore outsourcing destinations like India and China, Infosys was recently applauded by Wired magazine for its unique offshore outsourcing strategy — it singled out Infosys for turning the outsourcing myth around and bringing jobs back to the US. Reliance Industries

Dhirubhai Ambani founded Reliance as a textile company and led its evolution as a global leader in the materials and energy value chain businesses. He is credited to have brought about the equity cult in India in the late seventies and is regarded as an icon for enterprise in India. He epitomized the spirit 'dare to dream and learn to excel'. Today Mukesh Ambani,chairman of the India’s biggest private sector company. By investing Rs 10,500 crore at one go in Reliance Infocomm,the group’s telecom venture,has proved that Reliance can pull off big projectsnot just in petrochemicals,but also in any other field it lays hands on. In just one year after its launch, Reliance Infocomm has garnered 7 million subscribers for its mobile telephone services.Its services are now available in more cities and towns than any competitor,baring the state owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam which has been in the business for than four decades.

Khwaja Abdul Hamied, the founder of Cipla, was born on October 31, 1898. The fire of nationalism was kindled in him when he was 15 as he witnessed a wanton act of colonial highhandedness. The fire was to blaze within him right through his life.

In college, he found Chemistry fascinating. He set sail for Europe in 1924 and got admission

Berlin University as a research student of "The Technology of Barium Compounds". He earne his doctorate three years later.

In October 1927, during the long voyage from Europe to India, he drew up great plans for th future. He wrote: "No modern industry could have been possible without the help of such

centres of research work where men are engaged in compelling nature to yield her secrets t the ruthless search of an investigating chemist." His plan found many supporters but no

financiers. However, Dr Hamied was determined to being "a small wheel, no matter how sm than be a cog in a big wheel."

Cipla is born

In 1935, he set up The Chemical, Industrial & Pharmaceutical Laboratories, which came to b popularly known as Cipla. He gave the company all his patent and proprietary formulas for several drugs and medicines, without charging any royalty. On August 17, 1935, Cipla was registered as a public limited company with an authorised capital of Rs 6 lakhs.

The search for suitable premises ended at 289, Bellasis Road (the present corporate office)

where a small bungalow with a few rooms was taken on lease for 20 years for Rs 350 a mon

Cipla was officially opened on September 22, 1937 when the first products were ready for th market. The Sunday Standard wrote: "The birth of Cipla which was launched into the world

Dr K A Hamied will be a red letter day in the annals of Bombay Industries. The first city in I can now boast of a concern, which will supersede all existing firms in the magnitude of its

operations. India has lagged behind in the march of science but she is now awakening from lethargy. The new company has mapped out an ambitious programme and with intelligent direction and skillful production bids fair to establish a great reputation in the East. "

Hindalco Industries Limited, the Flagship Company of the Aditya Birla Group, commenced operations in 1962. The Company initially had an aluminum smelting capacity of 20,000 tons per year (TPY) and alumina refining capacity of 40,000 TPY. The facilities are located in Renukoot, in the State of Uttar Pradesh in India. Continual expansions have seen smelting capacity grow 12 fold to 242,000 TPY, whereas alumina refining capacity has been increased to 450,000 TPY. With an outstanding record of capacity utilisation, the Company has grown into India's largest aluminium producer with a 40% share of production. More significantly, Hindalco is firmly entrenched amongst the lowest cost producers of aluminium in the world. The company has ISO 2002 Certification since 1994 and ISO 14001 Certification since 1998. Hindalco has the distinction of having totally integrated facilities. The Company has its own bauxite mines, alumina refinery, steam and power generation facilities and smelting units. Hindalco's facilities at Renukoot also include semi-fabrication facilities for the production of value added products. With a strategy of ensuring self-

sufficiency in key inputs, the company has participated in joint ventures for ensuring supply of Caustic Soda and Aluminium Fluoride. Continuous process improvement through technological upgradation has enabled Hindalco to reduce consumption norms and conserve and optimise on scarce natural resources. The Company's product range includes Ingots, Billets, Redraw Rods, Rolled Products and Extrusions. At Silvassa, on the Western Coast of India, the Company has set up facilities for the manufacture of Aluminium Foils and Alumininum Alloy Wheels. The Company is continuously building on its diversified product mix. Hindalco has long been perceived as the most consistent and reliable supplier of quality products in India. The Company has ensured high standards of customer service through an extensive distribution network and customer support. The Company has found increasing acceptance for its products and services in the international markets, with exports of a significant Rs. 312 Crores in Fiscal 19992000. Hindalco's metal is accepted for delivery under the prestigious High Grade Primary Aluminium Contract on the London Metal Exchange. The Company has made successful inroads into the most sophisticated markets and currently has a presence in over 42 Countries. Hinalco has been recognised as a Star Trading House by the Government of India. A key tenet of Hindalco's strategy is continuous growth. The Company has taken two major initiatives in this direction in recent times. In 1999, the company acquired a 74.6% controlling stake in Indian Aluminum Co. Ltd. (INDIAL), a leader in the alumina and semi-fabricated business. The second of the initiatives consists of an ongoing brownfield expansion of facilities at a cost of Rs. 1800 Crores. The expansion will add 100,000 TPA to Smelting Capacity along with a 210,000 TPA increase in Alumina Rifining Capacity and matching augmentation of Power Generation Capacity. The expansion is planned for completion in phase by 2003 - 2004 The company's performance during the first six months of the current fiscal 20002001 has been very encouraging. Turnover for the first six months of the current fiscal is up by 12% to Rs. 1116 Crores, Operating Profit gone up by 19% to Rs. 534 Crores, Net Profits increased by 17% to Rs. 351 Crores, while Exports grew by 27% to Rs. 192 Crores. Hindalco also believes that successful Industry must share its prosperity with society at large, particularly those resident in close vicinity. The Company has a full fledged Rural Development Cell which has carried out exemplary work so as to improve the quality of life of populace exceeding 425,000 residing in the vicinity of its operations in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. The efforts focus on improving health care, social welfare, providing safe drinking water, and irrigation facilities and education for economic self-reliance. The Company's efforts have generated a great

deal of good will. The Company has also received recognition by way of the prestigious 'Good Corporate Citizen Award' from the Bombay Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 1998-1999.

Nokia has played a pioneering role in the growth of cellular technology in India, starting with the first-ever cellular call a decade ago, made on a Nokia mobile phone over a Nokiadeployed network. Nokia started its India operations in 1995, and presently operates out of offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata,Jaipur,Lucknow,Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune and Ahmedabad. The Indian operations comprise of the handsets business; R&D facilities in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai; a manufacturing plant in Chennai and a Design Studio in Bangalore. Over the years, the company has grown manifold with its manpower strength increasing from 450 people in the year 2004 to over 15000 employees in March 2008 (including Nokia Siemens Networks). Today, India holds the distinction of being the second largest market for the company globally. Devices business Nokia has established itself as the market and brand leader in the mobile devices market in India. The company has built a diverse product portfolio to meet the needs of different consumer segments and therefore offers devices across five categories ie. Entry, Live, Connect, Explore and Achieve. These include products that cater to first time subscribers to advanced business devices and high performance multimedia devices for imaging, music and gaming. Nokia has been working closely with operators in India to increase the geographical coverage and lower the total cost of ownership for consumers. Today, Nokia has one of the largest distribution network with presence across 1,30,000 outlets. In addition, the company also has Nokia Priority Dealers across the country and Nokia ‘Concept stores’ in Bangalore, Delhi, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Chennai, Indore and Mumbai to provide customers a complete mobile experience. Services business With the global launch of Ovi, the company's Internet services brand name, Nokia is renewing itself to be at the forefront of the convergence of internet and mobility. From being a product centric company, Nokia is now focusing to become solutions centric. The strategic shift is built on Nokia’s bid to retain consumers and empower Nokia device owners to realise the full potential of the Internet. Nokia will build a suite of Internet based services like Nokia Maps, the Nokia Music Store and Nokia N-Gage around its Ovi brand.

Infrastructure business Nokia Siemens Networks is a leading global enabler of communications services. The company provides a complete, well-balanced product portfolio of mobile and fixed network infrastructure solutions and addresses the growing demand for services with 20,000 service professionals worldwide. Its operations in India include Sales & Marketing, Research & Development, Manufacturing and Global Networks Solutions Centre. Headquartered in Gurgaon, Nokia Siemens Networks has 47 offices and presence in over 170 locations across the country. R & D centers

Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) is a technology, engineering, construction and manufacturing company. It is one of the largest and most respected companies in India's private sector. Seven decades of a strong, customer-focused approach and the continuous quest for world-class quality have enabled it to attain and sustain leadership in all its major lines of business. L&T has an international presence, with a global spread of offices. A thrust on international business has seen overseas earnings grow significantly. It continues to grow its overseas manufacturing footprint, with facilities in China and the Gulf region. The company's businesses are supported by a wide marketing and distribution network, and have established a reputation for strong customer support. L&T believes that progress must be achieved in harmony with the environment. A commitment to community welfare and environmental protection are an integral part of the corporate vision Bharti Enterprises Bharti Enterprises is one of India’s leading business groups with interests in telecom, retail, manufacturing, agri business and financial services. Bharti Airtel, is Asia’s leading integrated telecom services provider with operations in India and Sri Lanka. Bharti Airtel has been at the forefront of the telecom revolution and has transformed the sector with its world-class services built on leading edge technologies.

In financial services, Bharti is partnering with AXA of France to offer life insurance, general insurance and asset management. Bharti Retail, the 100% subsidiary of Bharti Enterprises operates multiple format consumer friendly stores. Bharti Wal-Mart, is a B2B JV with Wal-Mart for wholesale cash-and-carry and back-end supply chain management operations. The other businesses in the group are Beetel for communication and media devices and Bharti Del Monte India, a JV with Del Monte to offer fresh and processed fruits & vegetables in India as well as international markets.

The Bajaj Group is amongst the top 10 business houses in India. Its footprint stretches over a wide range of industries, spanning automobiles (two-wheelers and three-wheelers), home appliances, lighting, iron and steel, insurance, travel and finance. The group’s flagship company, Bajaj Auto, is ranked as the world’s fourth largest two- and three- wheeler manufacturer and 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. The integrity, dedication, resourcefulness and determination to succeed which are characteristic of the group today, are often traced back to its birth during those days of relentless devotion to a common cause. Jamnalal Bajaj, founder of the group, was a close confidant and disciple of Mahatma Gandhi. In fact, Gandhiji had adopted him as his son. This close relationship and his deep involvement in the independence movement did not leave Jamnalal Bajaj with much time to spend on his newly launched business venture. His son, Kamalnayan Bajaj, then 27, took over the reins of business in 1942. He too was close to Gandhiji and it was only after Independence in 1947, that he was able to give his full attention to the business. Kamalnayan Bajaj not only consolidated the group, but also diversified into various manufacturing activities. The present Chairman of the group, Rahul Bajaj, took charge of the business in 1965. Under his leadership, the turnover of the Bajaj Auto the flagship company has gone up from Rs.72 million to Rs.100.76 billion (USD 2.3 billion), its product portfolio has expanded from one to and the brand has found a global market. He is one of India’s most distinguished business leaders and internationally respected for his business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit.