Group Profile
Since 1860, the Kewalram Chanrai Group has been blazing a trail in the world's emerging economies. While other business houses were focused on developed markets, Kewalram Chanrai entered the uncharted waters of Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, South America, Southeast Asia, China and Japan. It started out trading in textiles but soon diversified into Indian handicrafts, becoming commission agents. As the Company steadily grew, so did its portfolio of businesses.
What started out as a family enterprise more than a century and a half ago in the Indian Subcontinent is now a leading industry player with three business groups and two associate companies, both of which are publicly listed. Today, its business portfolio spans across textiles, commodities, international trade, IT and real estate with more than 12,000 employees in over 54 countries.
Our Business
- Textile Industry
- Supply Chain Management
- Agricultural Products and Food Ingredients
- IT-related products
- Farming Industry
- Auto-related Products
- Environmental-friendly Products
- Real Estate
More than a century ago, the Group first started trading locally-made handloom fabrics in India. From these humble beginnings, its textile operations have grown steadily to a sizeable enterprise with a manufacturing facility in Indonesia.
Since its inception, international trading has been a core activity of the Group. Today, it boasts a diverse portfolio, which includes the following:
As a leader in the integrated supply chain management of agricultural products and food ingredients, Olam International, an associate company, is the world's largest trader of cashews, and second largest trader of cocoa. It is also listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange.
Redington, an associate company which is listed on the Indian stock exchange, distributes and provides logistics, support services and supply chain management for IT and non-IT products. Its portfolio includes computer peripherals, software and consumer electronics.
Investing in this priority sector in Nigeria, the company’s cotton cultivation and processing facilities represent a unique step in the integration of its agricultural operations. It also offers one-stop solutions for agricultural needs, from providing agro-chemicals and fertilizers to tractors and farming implements.
In the African market, the company distributes passenger cars and heavy truck tyres with technical support, and a truck tyre retreading centre. It also has showrooms and service centres across Nigeria to distribute the Mitsubishi and Fuso range of vehicles.
Kewalram Chanrai Group operates a niche palm oil residue recovery plant in Malaysia, in which extracted oils are formulated for industrial applications. There are plans to replicate its operations across the region. In addition, the Group has a water treatment company in Nigeria to provide cost effective water solutions for industrial and domestic use.
The Group's involvement in property development has led to the creation of many iconic landmarks, namely Wisma Public Bank in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In the late ’80s and mid ’90s, it also developed properties in Singapore -- Plaza by the Park -- and the USA -- Kewalram Arden, Sacramento.