ITC Limited, formerly known as the Imperial Tobacco Company of India, is an Indian multinational conglomerate with headquarters in Kolkata, West Bengal. The company began modestly with a leased office on Radha Bazar Lane, Kolkata, which served as its initial hub, a vision pioneered by its founder.
ITC full form is Indian Tobacco Company. ITC owner – Sanjiv Puri is the Chairman & Managing Director of ITC Limited. The company operates in various sectors such as Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Hotels, Paperboards and Packaging, Agri-Business, and Information Technology. ITC’s journey from being a tobacco company to a diversified conglomerate is an interesting one, and it spans over a century. Let’s take a look at how ITC transformed itself from a tobacco-centric company into a diversified powerhouse, balancing tradition with innovation.
The company was established in 1910 as the Imperial Tobacco Company of India Limited, as a subsidiary of the British American Tobacco Company. In its initial years, ITC primarily dealt with tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco.
Over the years, ITC diversified its product portfolio, and in 1975, it entered the hospitality industry with its first hotel, the Chola Sheraton in Chennai. Today, ITC operates luxury hotels in major cities across India under the brands ITC Hotels, WelcomHotel, and Fortune Hotels.
In the 1980s, ITC expanded its operations to the paper and packaging industry, setting up a paper manufacturing plant in Bhadrachalam, Andhra Pradesh. The company also ventured into the agri-business sector, with a focus on exports of agri-commodities such as rice, wheat, and spices.
In the 1990s, ITC underwent a significant restructuring, following the retirement of its long-standing chairman, J. N. Sapru. Yogesh Chander Deveshwar, who had joined ITC in 1968, was appointed as the new Chairman in 1996. Under Deveshwar’s leadership, ITC transformed into a diversified conglomerate with a focus on sustainable development.
In the early 2000s, ITC entered the FMCG sector with the launch of its flagship brand, “Classmate,” which included notebooks, pens, and other stationery products. The company also launched a range of food products under the brand “Kitchens of India,” which included ready-to-eat meals, spices, and condiments.
1910: The Imperial Tobacco Company of India Ltd. established and started ITC as a Private Limited Company on August 24.
1953: Acquisition of Tobacco Manufacturers (India) Ltd.’s production division.
1954: The Company was converted into a Public Limited Company on 27th October.
1970: In May, the company’s name—Imperial Tobacco Co. of India Ltd.—became India Tobacco Co. Ltd.
1972: ITC entered the hospitality industry.
1973: The government gave its approval for the construction of three processing plants.
1974: The name was once more altered to ITC Ltd on April 1st without any acronyms.
1975: Acquired the India Leaf Tobacco Development Co. Ltd.’s net assets in India.
1979: “Welcome Hotels” was replaced with “Welcomgroup” as the name of the company’s hotel chain.
1983: ITC partnered with Gujarat Industrial Investment Corporation to form Gujarat Hotels, which built the 144-room Welcomegroup Vadodara, in the city.
1986: The Company partnered with MP Audyogik Vikas Nigam in a joint venture to build four hotels over the next 5 years.
1987: The launch of two new products, Wills Flake Premium Filter and Scissors Filter. Additionally, the company leased the Nedovs Hotel in Kashmir.
1988: Various oilseed varieties sold under the trade names “Adarsh” and “Sundrop” were introduced to the market.
1990: The market debut of refined mustard oil sold under the “Real Gold” trademark.
1993: Successfully launched Hero and Classic Milds brand Cigarettes.
1995: Redesigned the Gold Flake Kings and Berkley Filter and introduced the capstan Menthol filter, capstan standard, and Bristo standard. Additionally, Kingsize Gold Flake Lights were released into the test markets.
1996: The Classic Ultra Milds and Wills Natural Lights products were introduced.
1997: A contract between ICICI Ltd. and ITC Classic Finance Ltd. was inked.
1998: ITC had close to 105 subsidiaries carrying out different kinds of business.
2000: The Packaging and Printing Section established the Lifestyle Retailing Business Division. Wills Sport, a complete line of luxury apparel for men and women with an international flair, was also introduced by ITC.
2003: ITC Ltd. introduced the Spriha brand of natural incense sticks (Agarbathis) made by Village Industries. Later, on April 4, ITC launched salt as the second product from ITC Foods’ staple division to bear the brand name “Aashirvaad.” The company also introduced a new line of agarbattis during the same year.
2008: Introduction of Eco-friendly “Paperkraft Luxury Business Paper”.
2010:ITC prospered in the ₹1,700 crore fairness cream industry. Meanwhile, as foreign brands entered the Indian cigarette market, ITC, the largest domestic cigarette manufacturer and one of India’s leading private sector businesses, expanded its presence by joining the Indian cigar market.
2011: ITC Ltd.’s CEO, Mr. Y. C. Deveshwar, received the Padma Bhushan. ITC also introduced popular products like Classmate notebooks and John Players.
2012: Introduction of ITC’s top personal care brand’s distinctive Skin Nourishing Range of Soaps, called Vivel.
2014: ITC replaced TCS as the most admired business in India. It also entered the e-cigarette industry. Additionally, ITC Hotels made one of the biggest international investments in Colombo’s history.
2017: ITC takes steps to help achieve Swachh Bharat.
2022: On March 31, 2022, ITC Ltd. India was one of the most profitable FMCG businesses in India, with gross sales of ₹90,104 crore and a net profit of ₹15,058 crore.
ITC Infotech is an information technology-focused division of ITC Limited that offers a range of services, including software creation, IT consulting, and digital transformation. The company has offices all over the globe and has expertise in a range of industries, including manufacturing, retail, and healthcare.
ITC Hotels, a subsidiary of ITC Limited that specialises in hospitality, has a fleet of more than 100 hotels spread out across India. It manages several prestigious hotels, including ITC Maurya Sheraton & Towers in New Delhi and Grand Maratha Sheraton & Towers in Mumbai. The company’s hotels are well-known for their luxury and eco-friendly efforts, and they provide visitors with a wide range of facilities and services.
The paper and packaging businesses of ITC Limited are handled by this division. It makes a range of papers, including writing and printing paper, specialty papers, and packaging boards.
The job of obtaining, processing, and exporting agricultural goods like wheat, rice, coffee, and spices falls under the purview of ITC Limited’s Agribusiness division. The company works with Indian farmers to guarantee profitable and environmentally responsible agriculture.
ITC Foods, the FMCG subsidiary of ITC Limited, offers a variety of packaged products, including snacks, biscuits, noodles, and instant mixtures. The company prioritises innovation and sustainability, and its products have received numerous awards.
ITC InfraTech, a subsidiary of ITC Limited, is in charge of building the infrastructure for industrial parks, logistics centres, and special economic zones. The company has won praise for its green initiatives and puts a high priority on sustainability.
The holding company for the foreign operations of ITC Limited is ITC Global Holdings. It trades and exports a variety of commodities, including paper, engineering items, agricultural products, and paper, and has offices in Singapore, Dubai, and London.
Gold Flake Corporation Limited and Wills Corporation Limited are subsidiaries of ITC Limited, with 100% ownership. Their primary activity is tobacco trading, contributing to the diverse portfolio of ITC Limited.
By diversifying its business across different industries, ITC Limited has been able to create a resilient and sustainable business model that can weather economic ups and downs. Additionally, the company’s strong focus on innovation and sustainability has allowed it to stay competitive in a rapidly changing business environment.
As per BSE, ITC Ltd had no promoter holding as of September 2024, June 2024, and March 2024. 100% of the company’s shares are held by public shareholders, including retail investors, mutual funds, and FIIs.
ITC Ltd., with its diverse business interests across a number of industries, is a significant participant in the Indian market. The company’s emphasis on innovation, social duty, and sustainability has been a major factor in its success, and it is well-positioned to keep expanding in the years to come.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet and is subject to changes. Please consult an expert before making related decisions.
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