History

Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Limited (BBTCL), a multi-faceted organisation, operates in various sectors such as plantations (including tea and coffee), auto electric components, healthcare, and real estate. The company, with its largest tea plantation in the Anamallai district of South India, specialises in producing and marketing high-quality coffees like Washed Arabica and Robusta, particularly in the speciality segment. Key products from its dental division include dental alloy, impression materials, and X-ray films. Originally established in 1863 as the Burmah Trading Company, after acquiring William Wallace's assets in Burma, the corporation changed its name to Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation to differentiate itself from a similarly named entity. Since 1863, BBTCL has been the leading global tea company for over eight decades, handling up to half of the world's tea supply. However, post-war political shifts in Burma and Thailand necessitated a strategic redirection, leading to expansions in North Borneo, East Africa, and the Andamans. The corporation acquired AFCO, a Bombay-based small craft industry, in 1958, making it a subsidiary. In 1962, they launched Formica India in collaboration with Formica International and the American Cynamid Company, focusing on laminate production. The BCL spring division emerged following the erstwhile Bombay Company (BCL) merger. BBTCL's divisions, such as Formica and Springs, achieved ISO 9002 accreditation in the mid-1990s, with the Oothu factory receiving the same for tea production in 1998. The same year, on January 1, 1998, the company was listed on the NSE and BSE. The late 1990s and early 2000s saw challenges in labour at the Singampatti Group of Tea Estates and innovations in the Electromags division, although new product development faced delays. The dental division successfully launched a new dental X-ray film in 2015. The company strategically decided to mitigate losses in the plantation division by closing down uneconomical operations in 2017. Recently, Go Airlines (India) Limited and National Peroxide Ltd became associates of the corporation as of January 10, 2023.

Business Segments 

Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Limited (BBTCL), often referred to as Bombay Burmah, encompasses a variety of core business segments:

1. Tea Production: Dating back to 1863 with its roots in teak, BBTCL branched into the tea business in the 1920s. The company is renowned for managing numerous tea estates in India and producing premium-quality tea.
2. Coffee Plantations: Since the 1950s, BBTCL has been involved in coffee cultivation. Their South Indian estates produce diverse coffee types, including Robusta and Arabica beans.
3. Automotive Electrical Components: The company specialises in producing electrical components for various vehicles, ranging from two-wheelers to cars. They serve both original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the aftermarket.
4. Healthcare Division: Operating under the BBTCL umbrella, this division is dedicated to dental, orthopaedic, and ophthalmic products, distributing medical devices and equipment through its network and alliances.
5. Horticulture and Landscaping Services: in this segment, the company offers landscaping and gardening services to enhance environmental aesthetics.

Subsidiaries of Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Limited

As of March 31, 2023, the company has 46 subsidiaries, 14 associate companies and 1 joint venture. Some of the subsidiaries are listed below.

1. Britannia Industries Limited: Arguably the most well-known of BBTCL's subsidiaries, Britannia is a leading Indian food company specialising in biscuits, bakery products, cheese, and dairy products. They hold a significant market share in India and export to over 60 countries.
2. AFCO Industrial & Chemicals Ltd: This subsidiary manufactures and distributes industrial chemicals, pigments, and speciality products. They cater to diverse industries like textiles, paints, plastics, and construction.
3. DPI Products & Services Ltd: Formerly known as Dental Products of India Ltd., DPI manufactures and distributes dental products like toothpaste, toothbrushes, and oral care solutions. They are a leading player in the Indian dental market and also export to various countries.

Key Personnel 

Nusli Wadia, Chairman Nusli Neville Wadia is the chairman of Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Limited. He was born into the prominent Parsi Wadia family in Bombay and succeeded his father as the chairman of the company in 1977. His net worth was estimated at US$4.1 billion by Forbes in August 2021. Ness Nusli Wadia, Managing Director  Ness Nusli Wadia is the managing director of Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation and the son of Nusli Neville Wadia. He also serves as a director on the boards of various Wadia Group companies, such as Britannia Industries, Bombay Dyeing, GoAir, and Wadia Techno Engineering Services. Corporate Actions  Face Value Split

• Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Limited announced a face value split of its shares, reducing the face value from ₹10 to ₹2, with the record date set for November 9, 2012.