ITC Limited is one of India’s largest and most diversified conglomerates. It was founded in 1910 as the Imperial Tobacco Company of India Limited, and has since grown to become a major player in a wide range of industries, including FMCG, hotels, paperboards and packaging, agri business, and information technology.
ITC Limited traces its roots to the Imperial Tobacco Company of India Limited, which was registered in 1910 in Kolkata, India. The company initially focused on tobacco-related businesses, including the manufacture and sale of cigarettes. It started with the production of popular cigarette brands like India Kings and Bristol.
In the post-independence era, ITC expanded its operations beyond tobacco and diversified into several new businesses. It ventured into hotels, paperboards and packaging, agri-business, and information technology. This strategic diversification helped ITC reduce its dependence on the tobacco industry and establish itself as a multi-business conglomerate.
ITC’s foray into the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector began in the 1970s. It started with the introduction of branded packaged foods like Aashirvaad Atta, Sunfeast biscuits, and Bingo! snacks. The FMCG segment witnessed rapid growth, and ITC became a prominent player in the Indian consumer goods market.
In the 1970s, ITC entered the hospitality industry with the opening of its first luxury hotel, WelcomHotel Sheraton in Delhi. Subsequently, the company launched the ITC Hotels brand and expanded its portfolio with the acquisition and development of premium hotels and resorts across India. ITC Hotels is known for its commitment to sustainable practices and exemplary customer service.
ITC’s Paperboards and Packaging division, established in the 1970s, quickly emerged as a leading player in the industry. The division manufactures a wide range of paperboards, packaging solutions, and specialty papers. It is recognized for its focus on quality, innovation, and sustainable practices.
ITC ventured into agri-business to support rural development and enhance agricultural productivity. The company established e-Choupal, a unique rural digital platform, which connects farmers with information, markets, and services. ITC’s agri-business division plays a crucial role in strengthening the agricultural value chain and empowering farmers.
In the late 1990s, ITC ventured into the Information Technology (IT) sector. The company established ITC Infotech, which offers IT solutions and services to clients worldwide. ITC Infotech has gained recognition for its expertise in areas like digital transformation, cloud services, cybersecurity, and data analytics.
The history of ITC Limited is a testament to its journey of growth, diversification, and adaptation to changing market dynamics. From its origins as a tobacco manufacturer, ITC has transformed into a diversified conglomerate with a presence in multiple sectors. Through strategic expansions, the company has ventured into FMCG, hotels, paperboards and packaging, agri-business, and information technology. Today, ITC Limited stands as a prominent player in each of these sectors, with a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and responsible business practices. With its rich history and commitment to excellence, ITC Limited continues to shape industries, create value for stakeholders, and contribute to India’s socio-economic development.
Businesses and Business Units of ITC Limited
ITC Industries has made a significant impact across various sectors, including Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Hotels, Paperboards & Packaging, Agri-Business, and Information Technology.
Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG):
ITC’s FMCG segment is one of the key drivers of its growth. With well-established brands like Aashirvaad, Sunfeast, Bingo!, and Classmate, ITC has a strong presence in categories such as food products, biscuits, snacks, and stationery. The FMCG division is known for its focus on quality, innovation, and customer-centricity. ITC’s FMCG products have garnered a loyal customer base and have become household names across India.
Branded Packaged Foods: ITC’s Branded Packaged Foods business is one of the fastest growing foods businesses in India, driven by the market standing and consumer franchise of its popular brands – Aashirvaad, Bingo! Sunfeast, Fabelle, Sunbean, Yippee! Kitchens of India, B Natural, ITC Master Chef, Farmland, mint-o, Candyman and GumOn. The Foods business is today represented in multiple categories in the market – Staples, Spices, Biscuits, Confectionery & Gums, Snacks, Noodles & Pasta, Beverages, Dairy, Ready to Eat Meals, Chocolate, Coffee and Frozen Foods.
Personal Care: In line with ITC’s aspiration to be India’s premier FMCG company, recognised for its world-class quality and enduring consumer trust, ITC forayed into the Personal Care business in July 2005. In the short period since its entry, ITC has already launched an array of brands, each of which offers a unique and superior value proposition to discerning consumers. Anchored on extensive consumer research and product development, ITC’s personal care portfolio brings world-class products with clearly differentiated benefits to quality-seeking consumers.
ITC’s Personal Care portfolio under the ‘EDW Essenza’, ‘Fiama’, ‘Vivel’, ‘Engage’, ‘Savlon’, ‘Charmis’, ‘Shower to Shower’, ‘Nimyle’, ‘Nimwash’ and ‘Superia’ brands has received encouraging consumer response and is being progressively extended nationally.
Education and Stationary: ITC made its entry to the education and stationery business with its Paperkraft brand in the premium segment in 2002; and later expanded into the popular segment with its Classmate brand in 2003. By 2007, Classmate became the largest Notebook brand in the country. Together, Classmate and Paperkraft offer a range of products in the Education & Stationery space to the discerning consumer, providing unrivalled value in terms of product & price.
Cigarettes: ITC is the market leader in cigarettes in India. With a portfolio of invaluable brands, ITC’s cigarette business stands testimony to the company’s unwavering and unrivalled commitment to quality, innovation and consumer focus.
More than one hundred years of expertise in developing products to match the evolving taste of consumers, has led to a portfolio of brands including, Insignia, India Kings, Classic, Gold Flake, American Club, Wills Navy Cut, Players, Scissors, Capstan, Berkeley, Bristol, Flake, Silk Cut, Duke & Royal.
Agarbattis & Dhoop: As part of ITC’s business strategy of creating multiple drivers of growth in the FMCG sector, the Company commenced marketing Agarbattis (Incense Sticks) sourced from small-scale and cottage units in 2003. Mangaldeep is India’s number one dhoop brand and second largest agarbatti’s brand with annualized consumer spend of Rs. 800 Crore.
Hotels:
ITC’s Hotels division operates under the brand name “ITC Hotels” and is renowned for its luxury and sustainable hospitality offerings. The division owns and operates a chain of award-winning hotels, resorts, and spas across India. ITC Hotels is committed to providing unique experiences to guests while prioritizing environmental sustainability and social responsibility. The division has consistently received accolades for its world-class services and eco-friendly practices.
Paperboards & Packaging:
ITC’s Paperboards & Packaging division is a leading player in the paper and packaging industry. It offers a wide range of products, including specialty papers, boards, packaging solutions, and printing and writing papers. The division focuses on innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction. ITC’s Paperboards & Packaging division has gained recognition for its sustainable practices, including the use of renewable materials and energy-efficient manufacturing processes.
ITC’s Paperboards and Specialty Papers Business is the leader in volume, product range, market reach and environmental performance, and is the clear market leader in the value-added paperboards segment. Providing internationally competitive quality and cost, the Business caters to a wide spectrum of packaging, graphic, communication, writing, printing and specialty paper requirements.
ITC takes great pride in servicing a large cross-section of industry requirements – from FMCG cartons to electrical insulation papers to Bio-based Barrier Coated Board, to decorative laminate base to writing and printing papers and much more. ITC straddles the entire spectrum of paperboards – from 100% virgin, food-grade boards which are from renewable and sustainable sources to 100% recycled boards.
Agri-Business:
ITC’s Agri-Business division is involved in the sourcing, processing, and export of agricultural commodities. The division works closely with farmers to enhance agricultural productivity, promote sustainable farming practices, and provide market linkages. ITC’s Agri-Business division is committed to supporting rural livelihoods, empowering farmers, and ensuring food safety and quality throughout the value chain.
ITC’s pre-eminent position as one of India’s leading corporates in the agricultural sector is based on strong and enduring farmer partnerships that has revolutionized and transformed the rural agricultural sector. A unique rural digital infrastructure network, coupled with deep understanding of agricultural practices and intensive research, has built a competitive and efficient supply chain that creates and delivers immense value across the agricultural value chain. One of the largest exporters of agri products from the country, ITC sources the finest of Indian Feed Ingredients, Food Grains, Marine Products, Processed Fruits & Coffee.
ITC’s Agri Business is the country’s second largest exporter of agri-products.
Information Technology:
ITC’s Information Technology division offers a range of IT solutions and services to businesses globally. The division focuses on areas such as digital transformation, cybersecurity, cloud services, and enterprise resource planning. With a strong emphasis on innovation and technological expertise, ITC’s Information Technology division has established itself as a reliable partner for organizations seeking advanced IT solutions.
ITC Industries, with its diversified portfolio of businesses, has cemented its position as a leading conglomerate in India. Through its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility, ITC has been able to create a positive impact across various industries. With a focus on delivering quality products and services, ITC Industries continues to drive sustainable growth while contributing to the socio-economic development of the country. As a trusted brand, ITC Industries remains dedicated to meeting the evolving needs of consumers, creating value for stakeholders, and embracing responsible business practices.
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