History
Evolution Timeline - SBU: Industrial Packaging
Balmer Lawrie's journey from an interest in oil exploration to becoming India's leading grease producer is marked by resilience, strategic partnerships, and innovation. Their ability to adapt to changing market conditions and focus on niche markets has solidified their position in the industry. The establishment of the Applications Research Laboratory was a crucial step in maintaining their technological edge and developing specialized products.
Corporate Journey
Evolution Timeline
1920-2018
1920
Balmer Lawrie was appointed Managing Agent for Indian Galvanizing .
1922
Indian Galvanizing shifted to Howrah
1926
New machines were added, equity restructured, Indian Galvanizing Co. Ltd. was formed.
1928
Two new seam welding machines were added. It was ‘seam welding’ technology which, in fact, gave birth to mild steel drums and barrels.
1930
Indian Galvanizing Co. Ltd. was the most proficient producer of drums in the country
1953
A branch of Indian Galvanizing Co. Ltd. was established at Sewri
1958
Calcutta operations of Indian Galvanizing were closed down.
1959
The barrel plant in Calcutta was shifted to Paharpur and set up as Industrial Containers Ltd. Bombay barrel plant emerged as Steel Containers Ltd.
1960
Indian Galvanizing Co. (1926) Ltd. went into liquidation.
1965
Industrial Containers Ltd (Paharpur) took up production of lacquer lined barrels.
1972
His Highness Prince Faisal Bin Turki Abdulla Al-Saud from Saudi Arabia visited the Bombay unit. The Prince had expressed interest in setting up a barrel plant in Saudi Arabia.
1973
Steel Containers Ltd. (Bombay) won an order from Indian Oil for a period of three years.
1975
Steel Containers Ltd. and Industrial Containers Ltd. were merged in Balmer Lawrie
1976
The two units, having become ‘divisions’ of Balmer Lawrie, were renamed Container Division, Bombay and Container Division, Calcutta.
1977
Balmer Lawrie secured a long term contract with Caltex and the construction of a factory to produce lube barrels and cans in Dubai started.
1978
Dubai plant was formally inaugurated by HH Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai.
1983
Balmer Lawrie UAE was formed as a JV where His Highness Sheikh Hasher had 51% shareholding and the remaining 49% was with Balmer Lawrie.
1980
Cochin Refineries Ltd. invited offers from parties to operate its drum plant on lease. BL won the contract and an agreement was made, leasing the plant to BL.
1982
Production and supplies to CRL commenced.
1986
The plant at Cochin to produce barrels and drums was closed down.
1988
The barrel plant at Manali, Madras was commissioned initially to produce bitumen drums.
1989
Additions were made for the manufacture of 200 litre barrels.
1991
Balmer Lawrie commissioned its Turbhe plant for producing LWBs.
1992
The Madras unit made its maiden profit.
1993
The Turbhe plant became a 50:50 Joint Venture Company between BL and Van Leer and the name was also changed to Balmer Lawrie - Van Leer Limited along with expansion of its capacity of closure products and addition of new activities such as manufacturing and sales of plastic containers.
1993
The concept of Strategic Business Unit was introduced and the Container Divisions were consolidated under SBU: Industrial Packaging.
2013
Commercial Production initiated at state-of-the-art plant IP Taloja.
2014
The plant at Sewree was decommissioned.
2018
Commercial Production initiated at IP Baroda Plant