calendar   Wednesday Dec 11 2024  

Milestones of Balmer Lawrie

Since the beginning, we have been motivated by a common goal that is sustained by dedication and enthusiasm. Every action we've done and every obstacle we've surmounted has brought us to this point. We are proud to stand here today as a monument to both our unwavering resolve and our stakeholders' unfailing support.

Corporate Journey
Early Years

1867 - 1894

Corporate Journey
Maturing Years

1908 - 1936

Corporate Journey
Growth Years

1937 - 1969

Corporate Journey
Uncertain Years

1972 - 1972

Corporate Journey
Public Sector Era

1987 - 2022

History of Balmer Lawrie

Driven by the spirit of entrepreneurship, two enterprising Scotsmen Stephen George Balmer and Alexander Lawrie sowed the seeds of this company at Kolkata on 1st February, 1867. History goes…a coin was tossed…Balmer won…Balmer’s name preceded in the Firm incorporated and thus was born Balmer Lawrie.

There was hardly any business where Balmer Lawrie did not delve into in its formative years, whether it was from Tea to Shipping, Insurance to Banking or Trading to Manufacturing. The company has left a mark of its own at every step of its remarkable corporate journey.

Today, Balmer Lawrie is a Mini-Ratna-I Public Sector Enterprise, under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India. It has eight Strategic Business Units – Industrial Packaging, Greases & Lubricants, Chemicals, Travel & Vacations, Logistics Infrastructure, Logistics Services, Cold Chain and Refinery & Oil Field Services, with offices spread across the country and abroad. Balmer Lawrie has grown enormously in the last 157 years and has become the market leader in Steel Barrels, Industrial Greases & Specialty Lubricants, Corporate Travel and Logistics Services. It has very well responded to the demands of an ever changing environment and has taken full advantage of every opportunity to innovate. Balmer Lawrie also grew inorganically through various JVs over the period of time.

1867

Face Behind The Name

1867

The Journey Begins.....

1867

The First Balancing Act

1873

The Early Leaders

1878

The initial business included Trading, Tea and Shipping

1870

Tea: The Harbinger Business

1870

Tea: The Harbinger Business

1870

Tea: The Harbinger Business

1880

With High Spirits the Trading Business moved on

1884

Balmer Lawrie offered more than 250 products and services

1884

First evidence of 'Passage' operations

1884

First evidence of 'Passage' operations

1884

First evidence of 'Passage' operations

1877

The man behind the Manufacturing Business

1879

The Managing Agent

1879

The Managing Agent

1879

The Managing Agent

1879

The Managing Agent

1879

The Managing Agent

1879

The Managing Agent

1879

The Managing Agent

1890

The Balmer Lawrie Cheque

1909

Balmer Lawrie IIO

1917

The Jubilee Group

1924

Became Pvt Ltd Co

1927

Board of Directors, 1927

1929

OTJ Era

1930

Barrel production in Calcutta

1937

Grease production commenses at peelkhana in Howrah

1937

Balmer Lawrie was a pioneer in grease manufacturing in India

1950

Work and Life Balance

1950

Work and Life Balance

1950

Work and Life Balance

1950

Evolution of lettering & logo

The Founders, Mr. Stephen George Balmer and Mr. Alexander Lawrie History goes... a coin was tossed, Balmer won and thus the name Balmer Lawrie

Original building of Balmer Lawrie at 103 Clive Street, Kolkata

The First Balance Sheet of the Firm (August 1, 1867–December 31, 1867)

British Staff (1873) Mr. Alexander Lawrie is second from the left

Clippings from the Statesman, January 28,1878

Managers's Residence, Jamirah Tea Garden, 1940s

Tea Auction in progress, Calcutta, 1940s

Tea Tasting Room, Calcutta, 1940s

Laphroag Islay Whisky was the first product for which an impressively coloured pamphlet was brought out in 1880s

Monthly Circulars called 'Index' were printed to introduce products and services offered

Shipping & Forwarding Department was established in 1867 which was taken over by The Anglo Indian Carrying Co. in 1873

Advertisement in The Statesmen in 1930s and 1940s

Advertisement issued in 1952

Mr. James Nicholson Stuart joined Balmer Lawrie in 1877

British India Electric Construction

Bengal Flour Mill

Bengal Paper Mill

Indian Galvanizing

Calcutta Ice Association

New Beerbhoom Coal

Bridge & Roof

Though Banking Services started in 1872; another service promoted around 1890s was Insurance

21 NS Road-106 Years Ago

British and Indian employees with their families

Certificate of Incorporation

Board of Directors, 1927

Mr. Owain Trevor Jenkins (OTJ) was appointed as Chairman in 1946. Sir Owain Jenkins along with Mr. A. T. Montgomery who succeeded him broadened Balmer Lawrie's manufacturing base.

By 1930 Indian Galvanizing was the most proficient producer of drums in the country. It also had the most extensive range Indian Galvanizing had plants in Howrah and Sewree

Ads for first products of Balmerol

Mr. Paul Gonsalves, the Father of Grease Manufacturing in India, working at his desk ou the right, Bombay 1954

Balmer Lawrie senior staff football team 1949

Balmer Lawrie won Merchant's Cup in Golf (1958)

Team for Merchant's Cup 1950s Mr. N.N Atal (3rd from left) was the first Indian managing director