The Wadias' first venture, over 250 years ago, was in the area of ship building, more than 355 ships were designed and built by the Wadias, including men-of-war for the British Navy. It was on one such ship that the American National Anthem was composed, and on another Wadia built deck that the 'Treaty of Nanking', ceding Hongkong to England, was signed.
The Spring Mills began operations in 1903 Emerging opportunities : With the wave of industrialization in the 19th century, trading grew, and with it, opportunities for new areas of business. In 1879, Bombay was next only to New Orleans as the world's largest cotton port. It was at this time that Nowrosjee Wadia set his sights on India's mushrooming textile industry. On August 23rd, in a humble redbrick shed, he began a small operation. Here, cotton yarn spun in India was dip dyed by hand in three colors-turkey red, green and orange-and laid out in the sun to dry.
Humble opportunities : The Bombay Dyeing & Manufacturing Co. Ltd. had been born. A modest beginning for a company that was to grow in the following 115 yr. into one of India's largest producer of textiles. Along the path of growth and diversification, Bombay Dyeing has spawned dozens of other companies. In technical and financial collaboration with world leaders, such companies have pioneered the manufacture of various chemicals and have grown to be leaders in their new fields. It was more than just a company that was born in 1879, a legacy was born. A legacy that would give rise to one of India's most respected business houses.
Bombay Dyeing has two main streams of business. Textile is a dominant activity for which the company has advanced facilities.
Each of Bombay Dyeing's five manufacturing facilities is of International standards. Weaving facilities include technology from world leaders such as Sulzer.Bombay Dyeing has 519 Sulzer Projectile Machines in widths of 130", 142", 153" and 169".
In addition the company has 123 Sulzer Airjet Machines in widths of 110"( with tucked in selvedge) and 75" (with fringe selvedge). The Ruti Automatic Looms ranging in widths of 40" to 110" totaling 1,260 are gradually being phased out and substituted by the latest in weaving technology.
The Spinning and Winding facilities are equipped with Schlafhorst Autocore Rotors, Auto Corner Winding Spindles and Schweiter CA - 11 Spindles with an installed capacity of 135,336 Ring Spindles.
Today the daily production at Bombay Dyeing exceeds 300,000 meters of fabrics. Facilities are available to produce bleached fabric upto 120",dyed and printed fabric upto 98" and grey fabric upto 124".
Bombay Dyeing's unique India wide distribution set-up is an enviable asset in the company's domestic marketing efforts.
Unrivalled in its reputation for quality, the Bombay Dyeing range of fabrics and ready-mades has been growing and evolving with changing trends. Presently the consumer range includes bed linen, towels, furnishings, fabrics for suits, shirts, dresses and saris in cotton and polyester blends.
A sizable market has been established in ready-mades, which include a range of formal and casual wear.
A household brand Bombay Dyeing network of over 600 franchise retail outlets takes the entire range to over 300 towns and cities in India.
Bombay Dyeing also has a wide range of industrial fabrics that include microdot interlining; fabrics for shoe uppers, adhesives, abrasives, leather cloth and filters
Sales turnover of the Textile division is nearly equally divided between National and International markets. Bombay Dyeing, exports to advanced countries such as USA, countries in European Union, Australia and New Zealand. The company has won the SRTEPC and TEXPROCIL Gold Trophies for its outstanding export performance for poly cotton blended fabrics and made-ups for the year 1998-99.
