Tata is a renowned name all over the world, from gold to steel and from IT to Communications, there are several sectors in which Tata group has a stronghold in the market.
The Tata Group was founded as a private trading firm in 1868 by Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, it is our nation’s earliest business empire. Today, The Tata Group has 96 operative companies in seven business sectors- including salt, steel, software, energy, cars, trucks, and chemicals.
It is noteworthy to mention that JRD Tata is the only industrialist to date to receive Bharat ratan. He stated that “I do not want India to be an economic superpower. I want India to be a happy country”.
Tata is a common name in every household, here are some interesting things you probably didn’t know about them.
1) The second-largest tea company belongs to Tata Group
Tata Consumer Products is an FMCG company headquartered in Mumbai, it is the world’s second-largest manufacturer and distributor of tea and a major producer of coffee. The organization markets tea under the name Tata Tea, Tetley, and Good Earth Teas.
Tata Tea is the greatest selling tea brand in India while Tetley has huge demand in Canada and it is second-greatest selling in the United Kingdom and the United States
2) Employee-centric policies even before they become law
Tata Group was the first company to start Maternity leaves (1928) long before it became a law. They also came up with an innovative idea of providing provident funds to employees before anyone. Other employee-friendly practices like 8-hour working days (1912); Leave with pay, Workmen’s Accident Compensation were also introduced by the Tata group.
Policies like this have generated great employee retention and overall satisfaction of employees working with Tata Group.
3) No association to Bollywood or Alcohol
Although Tata runs a variety of businesses all around the world, it has never associated or entered into the alcohol, Tobacco industry. The Group has never sponsored any Bollywood movie either.
4) Tata Power is the largest integrated power company in India
Tata Power generates, transmits, and distributes electricity. It has an electricity generation capacity of 12808 MW. 30% of this electricity comes from clean sources. It has operations in around 35 locations in India.
Jamsetji Tata believed that clean and cheap power will boost the economic progress of the country. With more than a decade in the industry, they are committed to ‘lighting up lives for ages to come
5) Ford humiliation story
In 1999, Tata motors were still in the development phase for making passenger cars. The newly developed Indica did not appeal to the masses and hence Tata wanted to sell its passenger vehicle division to American giant Ford. In the meeting, Ford officials humiliated Ratan Tata with some nasty remarks about not knowing to make Passenger cars and they are doing a big favor to purchase that division from him.
Tata decided not to sell that car division on this response. In 2008 Ford was on verge of bankruptcy and then Tata Motors acquired Jaguar and Land Rover brands at approx. Rs. 9430 crores. Today Jaguar land rover cars are selling like hotcakes and contribute a large chunk in companies’ business. Today Tata Motors is the largest automobile manufacturer in India. It is Tata’s perseverance and hard work that paid off.
6) The massive charity works without any publicity
66% of the profits of Tata group go to charity (Tata Trust). Tata group has served as a custodian to the welfare of people and had strived to bring positive social impact.
Tata has built world-class institutes like IISC, TATA institute of fundamental research (TIFR), TATA Institute of social science (TISS), and many more. They run many more research institutes, public hospitals, and sports institutes. These world-class facilities are indeed a gift to the country.
Tata group’s efforts in the health sector are also phenomenal, they pay large attention to tackle malaria, cancer, and maternal and neonatal health. Their healthcare efforts focus on providing care in less accessible rural areas. Tata has also been keen on saving the environment and empowering rural communities via training and literacy programs.
7) TCS is the world’s largest IT firm by market cap
In January 2021, the market capitalization (m-cap) of TCS topped the Rs 12-trillion-mark for the first time. This made TCS is India’s second-most valuable firm after Reliance Industries which has an m-cap of nearly Rs 12.9 trillion.
TCS is also and top employer globally, currently it has around 488,649 employees across 46 countries. TCS has played a major part in redesigning and maintaining the Aadhar card portal.
8) Tata Communications – truly Connecting People
Tata Communications has the largest and the most advanced sub-c fiber network which carries around 30% of the world’s internet routes. It connects 4 out of 5 mobile subscribers around the world.
9) Tata chemicals bought the Parent company of British Salt company
British salt limited is UK’s leading salt manufacturer, it produces pure white salt. it is currently owned by Tata Chemicals Europe. This deal was finalized in April 2010 at a cost of about Rs. 650 Crore.
It is ironic that Indian company owning a British salt company, as 90 years ago Mahatma Gandhi embarked on Salt mark to protest against the tax on salt.
10) Adorning people with Jewels
Titan Company is a lifestyle company that sales, watches, jewellery, and eyewear. Titan commenced its operations in watch production in 1984, Titan is the fifth largest watch manufacturer in the world. 80 % of the revenue of Titan company comes from the jewellery brand Tanishq.
Tata is practically everywhere, every product we use, may most probably have some contribution from Tata, The Tata Group has become the most respected business conglomerate in India. Its five principles – Integrity, Excellence, Responsibility, Pioneering, and Unity, have helped them achieve excellence in any industry they set foot in. With its presence for decades and its noble deeds towards the nation, we can say Tata Group has Made India truly powerful.
Image Credits : Pixabay, Unsplash
Ajay Rathod
Hi!! I am Ajay, and I’m a passionate blogger who loves to write about a variety of topics. I’m always eager to explore new ideas and share my thoughts with others.