Since
its inception in 1905, the story of the Mafatlal Group has been about
traditional values and modern technology and how together, they
have triumphed over circumstances. It’s a saga that began when a teenage
Mafatlal Gagalbhai joined his father’s weaving business, then took over
three mills in Ahmedabad and Surat, and finally acquired the parsi
family-owned China Mill. From then on, there was no looking back.
It was in the 1970s and 80s, under the leadership of Mr Arvind
Mafatlal and the support of his sons Mr Padmanabh Mafatlal and Mr
Hrishikesh Mafatlal, that the existing business was consolidated.
The Group then diversified into information technology, chemicals and
the engineering industry. The late 1980s saw the Group further
diversifying into gas distribution and later, the healthcare
business. The year 1990 saw the demise of Mr Padmanabh Mafatlal.
From 1995, with his son, Vishad Mafatlal joining the business, the
strategy has been to focus on the core competencies of textiles and
chemicals, and divest from other businesses. Now, under the
leadership of Mr Vishad Mafatlal – with over 22 years’ experience in
textiles and chemicals – the Padmanabh Mafatlal Group is working towards
further expansion in fluoro chemicals, to enhance value for all
its employees and stakeholders.