Brihan Maharashtra Sugar Syndicate Ltd. facts for kids

The Brihan Maharashtra Sugar Syndicate Ltd. is an Indian company that makes sugar. It is based in Pune, Maharashtra, India. The company started in 1934, making it one of the oldest companies in India.

History of the Sugar Syndicate

Starting the Company: 1934 — 1956

In 1933, the Governor of Bombay, Lord Brabourne, wanted to encourage sugar production in India. He made it more expensive to bring in sugar from other countries. This helped Chandrashekhar Agashe to start the Brihan Maharashtra Sugar Syndicate Ltd. on September 21, 1934.

He raised money from many people in Maharashtra to create this company. Its main office was in Pune.

Growing Sugar Cane and Factories

Between 1934 and 1936, Agashe planned to open a factory in his hometown of Bhor. He started growing sugar cane on 2,000 acres of land. In 1935, he hired local farmers to grow or transport the sugar cane. By 1936, he had bought or rented 12,000 acres of farmland. People praised him for helping the local economy. He even received more land from bankers and politicians.

The company's main office was set up in the Commonwealth Building in Pune. In January 1935, the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce announced that 300,000 shares of the company were for sale. Agashe traveled around India to promote his new company. By 1937, the factory was making 35 hundredweights of sugar.

In November 1937, Agashe ordered sugar cane processing machines from a company in Czechoslovakia. Even with World War II starting, he received the machines. Construction for the first factory began in April 1938. The factory opened in March 1939 in the village of Bhorgaon.

By 1940, this factory was making 150,000 bags of sugar each year. The sugar was sold under the name Shree. The village where the factory was located was even renamed Shreepur. In 1943, Agashe's donation helped create the Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce in Pune, named after the company.

Challenges and Growth After Independence

After India became independent in 1947, Agashe expanded the company's production. By 1950, they could process 1,000 tons of sugar cane each year. In 1950, the University of Bombay studied the working conditions at the company.

By 1953, Agashe faced some challenges and disagreements from critics. He published a long report to explain his side. In 1955, the company had discussions with worker groups about fair pay and benefits. Agashe passed away in June 1956. His sons, Panditrao Agashe and Dnyaneshwar Agashe, continued his work.

New Leaders and Expansion: 1956 — 1970

After Chandrashekhar Agashe, the company was in a strong position. S. L. Limaye became the chairman of the board in 1957 and served until 1990. K. V. Champhekar was the managing director from 1957 to 1962. G. S. Valimbe followed him from 1963 to 1969.

Agashe's sons, Panditrao and Dnyaneshwar, became joint managing directors in July 1970. Senior managers helped Panditrao because he was quite young when he joined the board in 1957. By 1958, the company also had offices in Solapur and Shreepur, Maharashtra. The company celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1959.

Between 1958 and 1966, the company helped many farming communities. This included areas affected by the Panshet dam flood in 1961. In the late 1960s, the company had to give up thousands of acres of land to the Indian government. By 1966, Dnyaneshwar Agashe joined his brother Panditrao on the board. They became joint managing directors in 1970.

New Products and Modernization: 1970 — 2009

In the 1970s, under Panditrao and Dnyaneshwar Agashe, the company started making alcoholic beverages in Shreepur, Maharashtra. They were one of the first companies to produce government-approved drinks after a ban in Maharashtra. In 1978, Panditrao retired, and Dnyaneshwar became the sole managing director.

In the early 1980s, the company also briefly worked in metal printing. In 1980, a study looked at how the company affected Maharashtra's rural economy. The company also launched a type of brandy with a partner company. They sponsored sports tournaments in 1984 and 1986. By 1989, the company was a leading maker of alcoholic beverages in India.

In 1990, Dnyaneshwar became chairman of the board. He held this position until his death in 2009. In 1991, a special plant was installed at the factory to control pollution. This plant was developed with research funded by the United States. That same year, Dnyaneshwar's son Mandar Agashe joined the board. He became a joint managing director with his father by 1994. Dnyaneshwar's younger son, Ashutosh Agashe, joined the board in 1996.

Expanding into Health and Other Products

By 1998, the company began selling ayurvedic medicines and health care products. They also made food products and veterinary medicine. In 1998, the company hosted cricket tournaments in Pune. In 1999, Mandar resigned to start a sister company, Brihans Natural Products Ltd. The sugar syndicate then started promoting ayurvedic skincare products made by this new company. Ashutosh was appointed as joint managing director that same year.

By 2002, the company also made alcohol-based chemicals. In 2005, the company partnered with an Australian wine group to produce wine in India. That same year, another company, Radico Khaitan, bought some of the syndicate's beverage brands.

Current Leadership: 2009 — present

In 2009, after Dnyaneshwar Agashe passed away, Ashutosh Agashe became the chairman and managing director. In 2013, the company sold its alcoholic beverage manufacturing part to Radico Khaitan. In May 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic in India, Ashutosh and the company donated oxygen concentrators to hospitals in Shreepur, Maharashtra.

See also

In Spanish: Brihan Maharashtra Sugar Syndicate Ltd. para niños