In 1910, Mr. Pyare Lal, a young patriot, responding to the Nation's call for self-sufficiency, set up a small unit in Jalandhar, to manufacture steel goods for the domestic agricultural market. His untiring efforts saw the firm “Amin Chand Pyare Lal” grow and by World War II, become profitable enough to employ 100 people. The small unit in Jalandhar rapidly expanded into an enterprise, fuelled by a fierce pioneering spirit .It was destined to achieve many breakthroughs in post independence India. After Mr. Pyare Lal's demise, his sons – Mr. Stya Paul, Mr. Jit Paul, Mr. Swraj Paul and Mr. Surrendra Paul - continued to build on the business under the able stewardship of Mr. Jit Paul.

The Group was among the first importers of steel into India. Challenged by the bottleneck created by the scarcity of steel and steel goods in the 1950s, Apeejay successfully explored non-traditional sources like the USSR, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland East Germany and China and effected large-scale imports into India. This included products for construction and infrastructure building, an essential requirement for a young nation. The Group's visionary step of importing rails from East Europe, opened up a new, competitive source for railway supplies, so far being monopolized by West European countries. International trading activities grew rapidly and the Group's trading operations expanded in diverse international markets to include steel, finished steel products, coal and machinery. It also set up the country's most advanced steel mill in the eastern capital of Calcutta and was among the first to manufacture stainless steel in India. All this was achieved without any foreign collaboration, another first for India. Soon it emerged as the third largest exporter of steel after Hindustan Steel Ltd and Tisco steel, pioneering exports to markets like UK and Japan.

Having started as steel importers, Apeejay Surrendra took an early interest in freight costs and shipping. It was therefore natural that in the mid 1950s the Group expanded to shipping. Surrendra Overseas Limited, now known as Apeejay Shipping, was the first Indian company to enter into the shipping business after a long lapse of time. This encouraged the rapid expansion of the Indian merchant fleet. The Shipping enterprise grew rapidly; the vessels became larger and more specialized carrying the company's red and white APJ initials out of Calcutta and Bombay to the Far East, Europe and North America.

The 1960s saw the Group venture into hotels, real estate, construction and pharmaceuticals. We acquired a controlling interest in British companies such as Martin Harris, Walter Bushnell, all leading manufacturers of antibiotics, anti- malarial and anti-angina drugs of their time. By November 1967, the first of our hotels had opened for business in fashionable Park Street in Calcutta.

Apeejay Surrendra expanded its operations to Tea in the 1980s with the acquisition of tea estates in Assam, North East India. Within less than a decade, the tea enterprise had created new jobs, better pay and more facilities for its workers, and the greater exports and higher tax revenues substantially contributed to the economy of the state of Assam.

Over the years, this successful conglomerate came to be recognized as Apeejay Surrendra Group – the A standing for Mr. Amin Chand (Mr. Pyare Lal's father); P for Mr. Pyare Lal and J for Jalandhar. It is a perfect tribute to the industrious ancestors and founders as well as remembering the place from where this illustrious journey began. It also honours its dynamic late Chairman- Mr. Surrendra Paul.

Mr. Surrendra Paul became the Chairman of the Group in 1982 till his untimely death in 1990.A global minded businessman with a clear vision and decisiveness, Mr. Surrendra Paul had the ability to make things happen. His leadership saw a period of consolidation of existing businesses and expanding into newer ventures.

Mrs. Shirin Paul, wife of (late) Mr. Surrendra Paul steered the group as Chairperson from 1991 through very trying times after Mr. Surrendra Paul's unfortunate demise. Priya, Priti and Karan – his children continue the legacy of dynamic leadership, upholding family values and visionary business decisions. Within a decade, the Financial Services business grew; Apeejay Oxford Bookstores and Apeejay Business Centers were created and taken to all major metros; Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, pioneered the concept of boutique hotels in India, under the brand name of The Park Hotels.

Mr. Karan Paul became the Chairman in 2004. He oversees business and financial strategy for the Group and heads operations of Tea, Shipping and Financial Services. Ms Priya Paul oversees operations of Hospitality and Ms Priti Paul, for Retail and Real Estate divisions.

The Group continues to grow with new initiatives and consolidation of existing businesses. In 2005, we acquired Typhoo, UK's third largest and an over 100-year-old iconic British tea brand. This was India's second largest global FMCG acquisition and the 7th biggest corporate takeover by an Indian company till October 05. In 2006, our stock broking business was hived off to ILFS Invest mart, India's leading financial services provider and a majority stake in our retail finance arm was sold to Société Générale, France's second largest diversified financial services group with full equity sale concluding in 2007. Also in 2007, our hospitality division entered into a partnership with global financial giant, Credit Suisse and our shipping arm entered into a joint venture with Bharti Shipyard to set up a modern shipbuilding yard along India's eastern coast.

Today, Apeejay Surrendra Group employs close to 42000 people in rapidly expanding operations in Tea, Hospitality, Shipping, Real Estate & Retail and Financial Services. The family values that have nurtured the Group continue to guide the conglomerate as it expands its footprint with new business ventures. Young professionals committed to long-term progress and profits invigorate operations with a new vitality.

The Group's vision is to be India's largest and most profitable privately owned family business by 2010 - the year when Apeejay Surrendra Group completes one hundred years.