HISTORY

The story of one of India's favourite brands reads almost like a fairy tale. Once upon a time, in 1892 to be precise, a biscuit company was started in a nondescript house in Calcutta (now Kolkata) with an initial investment of Rs. 295. The company we all know as Britannia today.

The beginnings might have been humble-the dreams were anything but. By 1910, with the advent of electricity, Britannia mechanised its operations, and in 1921, it became the first company east of the Suez Canal to use imported gas ovens. Britannia's business was flourishing. But, more importantly, Britannia was acquiring a reputation for quality and value. As a result, during the tragic World War II, the Government reposed its trust in Britannia by contracting it to supply large quantities of "service biscuits" to the armed forces.

As time moved on, the biscuit market continued to grow… and Britannia grew along with it. In 1975, the Britannia Biscuit Company took over the distribution of biscuits from Parry's who till now distributed Britannia biscuits in India. In the subsequent public issue of 1978, Indian shareholding crossed 60%, firmly establishing the Indianness of the firm. The following year, Britannia Biscuit Company was re-christened Britannia Industries Limited (BIL). Four years later in 1983, it crossed the Rs. 100 crores revenue mark.

On the operations front, the company was making equally dynamic strides. In 1992, it celebrated its Platinum Jubilee. In 1997, the company unveiled its new corporate identity - "Eat Healthy, Think Better" - and made its first foray into the dairy products market. In 1999, the "Britannia Khao, World Cup Jao" promotion further fortified the affinity consumers had with 'Brand Britannia'.

Britannia strode into the 21st Century as one of India's biggest brands and the pre-eminent food brand of the country. It was equally recognised for its innovative approach to products and marketing: the Lagaan Match was voted India's most successful promotional activity of the year 2001 while the delicious Britannia 50-50 Maska-Chaska became India's most successful product launch. In 2002, Britannia's New Business Division formed a joint venture with Fonterra, the world's second largest Dairy Company, and Britannia New Zealand Foods Pvt. Ltd. was born. In recognition of its vision and accelerating graph, Forbes Global rated Britannia 'One amongst the Top 200 Small Companies of the World', and The Economic Times pegged Britannia India's 2nd Most Trusted Brand.

Today, more than a century after those tentative first steps, Britannia's fairy tale is not only going strong but blazing new standards, and that miniscule initial investment has grown by leaps and bounds to crores of rupees in wealth for Britannia's shareholders. The company's offerings are spread across the spectrum with products ranging from the healthy and economical Tiger biscuits to the more lifestyle-oriented Milkman Cheese. Having succeeded in garnering the trust of almost one-third of India's one billion population and a strong management at the helm means Britannia will continue to dream big on its path of innovation and quality. And millions of consumers will savour the results, happily ever after.

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  MILESTONE

1892
The Genesis - Britannia established with an investment of Rs. 295 in Kolkata

Advent of electricity sees operations mechanised
1921
Imported machinery introduced; Britannia becomes the first company East of the Suez to use gas ovens
1939 - 44
Sales rise exponentially to Rs.16,27,202 in 1939 Becomes bulk supplier of 'Service Biscuits' to the armed forces during World War II -->
During 1944 sales ramp up by more than eight times to reach Rs.1.36 crore
1975
Britannia Biscuit Company takes over biscuit distribution from Parry's
1978
Public issue - Indian shareholding crosses 60%
1979
Re-christened Britannia Industries Ltd. (BIL)
1983
Sales cross Rs.100 crore
1989
The Executive Office relocated to Bangalore
1992
BIL celebrates its Platinum Jubilee
1993
Wadia Group acquires stake in ABIL, UK and becomes an equal partner with Groupe Danone in BIL
1994
Volumes cross 1,00,000 tons of biscuits
1997
Re-birth - new corporate identity 'Eat Healthy, Think Better' leads to new mission: 'Make every third Indian a Britannia consumer'
BIL enters the dairy products market
1999
"Britannia Khao World Cup Jao" - a major success! Profit up by 37% 2000
Forbes Global Ranking - Britannia among Top 300 small companies
2001
BIL ranked one of India's biggest brands
No.1 food brand of the country
Britannia Lagaan Match: India's most successful promotional activity of the year
Maska Chaska: India's most successful FMCG launch
2002
BIL launches joint venture with Fonterra, the world's second largest dairy company
Britannia New Zealand Foods Pvt. Ltd. is born
Rated as 'One amongst the Top 200 Small Companies of the World' by Forbes Global
Economic Times ranks BIL India's 2nd Most Trusted Brand
Pure Magic -Winner of the Worldstar, Asiastar and Indiastar award for packaging
2003
'Treat Duet'- most successful launch of the year
Britannia Khao World Cup Jao rocks the consumer lives yet again
2004
Britannia accorded the status of being a 'Superbrand'
Volumes cross 3,00,000 tons of biscuits
Good Day adds a new variant - Choconut - in its range
2005

GLoble partners

The Wadia Group of India along with Groupe Danone of France, are equal shareholders in ABIL, UK which is a major shareholder in Britannia Industries Limited. GROUPE DANONE is an International FMCG Major specializing in Fresh Dairy Products, Bottled Water and Biscuits/Cereals. One of the World leaders in the food industry, these are some of the laurels it possesses:
No # 1 worldwide in Fresh Dairy Products
No # 1 worldwide equally placed in Bottled Water (by volume)
No # 2 worldwide in Biscuits and Cereal Products Through its three core businesses (Fresh Dairy Products, Beverages and Biscuits and Cereal Products), GROUPE DANONE is committed to improving the lives of people around the world by providing them with better food products, a wider variety of flavors and healthier pleasures. Its dominant position worldwide is based on major international brands and on its solid presence in local markets (about 70% of global sales come from brands that are local market leaders). GROUPE DANONE is recognized for the dynamism and strength of its brands:
Danone: the leading brand worldwide for Fresh Dairy Products; DANONE represents almost 20% of the international market. DANONE is present in 40 countries worldwide.
Evian: the best selling mineral water brand, with 1.5 billion bottles sold every year. Present in the 5 continents, in 125 countries.
LU: the second brand worldwide, the first biscuits brand of GROUPE DANONE, which represents almost the half of the sales for the Biscuits and Cereal Products division. LU is mainly present in Western Europe.
Wahaha: the leading brand for refreshing still water (water, ready made tea, fruit juices). The brand is one of the most popular in China, with more than 1.5 billion liters of water sold each year. Its name means "the child who laughs". Financial results:
Net sales in 2004: 13,024 million Euros (+6.1% at comparable scope)
Operational Income: 1,706 million Euros
Operating Margin: 13.1% (+40 base points in relation to 2004).
Re-birth of Tiger - 'Swasth Khao, Tiger Ban Jao' becomes the popular chant!
Britannia launched 'Greetings' range of premium assorted gift packs
The new plant in Uttaranchal, commissioned ahead of schedule.
The launch of yet another exciting snacking option - Britannia 50-50 Pepper Chakkar

Annual Performance (FY 2006)

Britannia's gross sales turnover increased to Rs 18,179 mn in 2005-06 from Rs 16,154 mn in the previous year, registering a growth of 13%. Operating profit at Rs 1,763 mn increased by 7%, profit before tax and exceptional items at Rs. 1,958 mn declined by 19% against 2004-05 , impacted by the profit on sale of long term investments that accrued to 'other income' last year.