Godrej Group

Godrej Group

Founded in 1897 by Ardeshir Godrej in Mumbai, the Godrej Group began as a lock-making business, pivoting from failed ventures to secure, locally made safes and locks. It evolved into a diversified conglomerate (consumer goods, real estate, appliances, security) with a major 2024 split separating the group into Godrej Enterprises Group and Godrej Industries Group. 

Key Historical Milestones:

• 1897: Ardeshir Godrej starts a lock company, initially inspired by rising burglary rates.
• 1902: Introduced the first Indian-made safe, promoting self-reliance (Swadeshi movement).
• 1908: Secured the first patent for a springless lock.
• 1918: Launched 'Chavi', the world’s first soap made from vegetable oil (avoiding animal fat).
• 1923: Entered the furniture business, introducing iconic steel wardrobes (Storwel).
• 1951: Manufactured 15,000+ ballot boxes daily for India's first general election.
• 1958: Launched India's first refrigerator, marking entry into home appliances.
• 1990: Established

  Godrej Properties Limited

  
  .
• 2001: Godrej Soaps renamed Godrej Industries Limited, and Godrej Consumer Products formed.
• 2011: Closed the world's last typewriter factory.
• 2024: Reorganized into

  Godrej Enterprises Group (led by Jamshyd Godrej) and

  Godrej Industries Group

  
  (led by Adi and Nadir Godrej).

The group is well-known for its legacy of innovation, high ethical standards, and significant environmental contributions, such as managing the Vikhroli mangroves in Mumbai.