150+ years of Aditya Birla Group | 47 brands, 36 countries, 27 companies, and plenty of room for growth

Do you know?

• Mr. G D Birla was the first person to propose the idea of establishing commercial banks
• FICCI was set up by Mr. G D Birla and Mr. Purshottamdas Thakurdas
• Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL) houses 16+ leading fashion brands with the latest addition of Tarun Tahiliani and Sabyasachi
• Birla Carbon extends across 12 countries on five continents and is a world leader in the manufacturing and supply of carbon black additives
• UltraTech Cement Limited is the largest manufacturer of grey cement, white cement, and ready-mix concrete in India and ranks among the world’s leading cement makers
• Grasim Industries, the flagship company of Aditya Birla Group is the world’s 3rd largest producer of insulators
• Hindalco Industries Limited, the metals flagship company of Aditya Birla Group is the world's largest aluminium rolling company
• A large share of the copper requirement of Indian Railways is fulfilled by Birla Copper

These facts are certain to have knocked you down with a feather!

Well, it may seem perfectly normal today to see a sign of UltraTech, Allen Solly, Forever 21, Birla White, or any other rock-solid brands of the Aditya Birla Group when you step out of the house, but behind this sparkling success lies persistence, perseverance, and thoughtful strategies.

47 brands, 27 companies, and 14 industry sectors - the Aditya Birla Group has never stopped looking for the next big thing. But if you think it was all handed to them on a silver platter, you are wide of the mark. To climb the pinnacle, the group went through its fair share of ebbs and flows. Here is everything you need to know about Aditya Birla Group, a diverse business house that carved its niche in its own way and has become an icon in the history of successful Indian conglomerates.

Laying a strong foundation

Digging up the roots of this diverse business house, the Birlas fought tooth and nail to establish their hold in the industry when the Britishers had a monopoly over the trading scenario in India. It all began when Mr. Shiv Narayan Birla started trading cotton in Pilani Rajasthan in 1857 and gradually started to flourish locally. 

Later, his grandson Mr. Ghanshyam Das Birla, aka the founding father of the Aditya Birla Group put the pedal to the metal by setting up the first jute mill in Kolkata followed by sugar and paper mills, and Hindustan Motors. It was his perfect amalgamation of grit and determination, the group started to cast its net wide across the textile business, cement production, metal manufacturing, etc. His 3 sons (Mr. K K Birla, Mr. CK Birla, and Mr. B K Birla) then took over the wheels of the Birla business. It was in the 1960s, when the 24-year old son of Mr. B K Birla, Mr. Aditya Vikram Birla, pitched into the business to help his father. 

Mr. Vikram Aditya Birla pulled out all stops to build a strong base of globalization into India. He started pegging the business on the world map and gradually Aditya Birla Group emerged as the massive business empire under his leadership and guidance. Due to his sudden demise, his son and the current chairperson of the Aditya Birla Group, Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla continues to drive the company forward with the same courage to foray into new ventures and tactful strategies.

Four-pronged strategy, nay or yay?

The success of Aditya Birla Group over the years cannot be confined to the boundaries of a few descriptive words, perhaps, resilience can be a close term to do justice to its longevity and ability to have stayed through various cycles. For instance, the dreadful 2008. When the whole world was collapsing and every one was compelled to cut down the expenditure on various assets, Aditya Birla Group did not restrain from investing resources for the development of people. And it cannot be gainsaid that all of this would have been possible without agility. 

Not forgetting courage and conviction! The Aditya Birla Group has shown undying courage to venture into new sectors, experiment with different business models, and indulge with newer technologies. Above everything is the deep-rooted conviction in the people of the organization that no matter what the economic situation is, the entire Birla family will see the business through.

And all of this can be boiled down to its evolved four-pronged approach, which has worked in its favor round the year. The approach entails,

• Concentrating on employees and customers 
• Hovering up systems for all significant functions 
• Developing a common group strategy for future development and 
• Diversification

Isn't it no surprise that the company's smart techniques have allowed it to establish a strong footing in the country and across continents?

The secret potion behind going global

People often raise eyebrows when it comes to an Indian company building successful businesses in other countries. Besides diverse business houses like TATA and Reliance, Aditya Birla Group beautifully strategized its expansion based on Indian values and a global outlook. With a sharp focus on learning from the local economy, people and culture, today the group has manufacturing units in Canada, the USA, Brazil, Cameroon, Sao Paulo, Sweden, Spain, Italy, Hungary, Germany, Belgium, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, China, UAE, and so on.

However, in a recent press release, Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla has stated that the group is no longer eager to acquire any firm with a globally diversified supply chain. He elucidated that this decision is based on the fact that protectionism and the pandemic are increasingly curbing the movement of products and people.

Defining the BIG in your life

Looked upon as the nationalist businessmen, the Birla family has always worked to serve the countrymen. To date, it has reached out to 9 million people, treated over a million patients, provided solar lamps for 4,50,000 school children, skill-trained 95,000 people, and is operating 20 hospitals and 56 schools. 

It is the company's successfully fostered culture that drives them to create a more collaborative and supportive work environment. Moreover, this extraordinary force of over 140,000 employees belonging to 100 nationalities has crowned Aditya Birla Group as a Fortune 500 firm. Today, Aditya Birla Group has grown into a global powerhouse ranging across diverse sectors like metals, pulp and fiber, chemicals, textiles, carbon black, telecom and cement. From being in every second can to every second tyre in the world, to dressing our wardrobe thrice every second, Aditya Birla Group is a BIG part of our life!

Grab these opportunities at Aditya Birla Group now!

The global conglomerate, Aditya Birla Group has several wholesome leadership programs and scholarships for Graduates and Postgraduates. Under its Leadership Program, the company is offering internship and full-time programs for students from selected business schools and engineering colleges in India.

• Leadership Associate Program (LEAP)

Leadership Associate Program (LEAP) is a general management program for candidates with 0 to 48 months of full-time pre-MBA work experience. In the first year, participants undergo 3 cross-functional stints across multiple businesses. Each stint is 4 months long. Some participants may also be allowed to undergo stints in many of the Group’s overseas locations. Upon successful completion of 3 stints, participants are placed into a full-time role in a function of their choice with one of the Group’s businesses.

• Finance Leadership Program (FLP)

Finance Leadership Program (FLP) is a functional management program for the first attempt of CA All India Rank Holders. During the first year, participants undergo 3 Finance stints across various portfolios. Each stint is 4 months long. Upon successful completion, participants are placed into a full-time role in their chosen area of specialization in corporate finance or any specific business of the Group.

• Human Resources Leadership Program (HRLP) 

Human Resources Leadership Program (HRLP) is a functional management program for candidates with an MBA in HR and 0 to 48 months of full-time pre-MBA work experience. During the first year, participants undergo 3 HR stints across various portfolios. Each stint is 4 months long. Upon successful completion, participants are placed into a mandatory industrial relations role at one of the many Aditya Birla Group manufacturing sites. Upon completion of 2 years at the plant, participants have the option to continue their plant role or explore corporate HR roles in any of the Group’s businesses.

• Leadership Program for the Experienced (LEAD)

Leadership Program for the Experienced (LEAD) is a general management program for candidates with 48-84 months of full-time pre-MBA work experience. During the first 6 months, participants undergo 2 cross-functional stints across multiple businesses. Each stint is 3 months long. Some participants may also be allowed to undergo stints in many of the Group’s overseas locations. Upon successful completion of 2 stints, participants are placed into a full-time role in a function of their choice with one of the Group’s businesses.

• Engineering Leadership Program

Engineering Leadership Program is a technical management program for final year engineering students pursuing full-time B.E/B.Tech degrees. After joining the Aditya Birla Group in one of four manufacturing sectors, IE Cement, Metals, Pulp and Fibre or Chemicals, Fertilizers and Insulators, participants undergo training both on the shop floor, in the classroom, and digitally. Upon successful completion and subsequent confirmation, participants are placed into a full-time role in a technical function with their respective units.

From 1.6 billion in 1996 to 46 billion, the group has witnessed diversity, excitement, and exposure. Life is never static at Aditya Birla Group!

All in all, with careful planning, the development of clear goals, and consistent business practices, Aditya Birla Group has become a major part of people’s lives. Let’s see what's next for the group - is it USD 100 billion revenue, a USD 100 billion market capitalization, or a top 50 in FORTUNE 500 companies?

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• ABG Stratos Case Study | Innovating the recruitment process with a business simulation game challenge
• Secrets of getting placed | Rajdip’s journey to Aditya Birla Group
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