The group's roots trace back to 1857 in Pilani, Rajasthan, when Seth Shiv Narayan Birla established a cotton trading business. This venture laid the foundation for what would become the Aditya Birla Group . In 1969, Aditya Vikram Birla, the grandson of Seth Shiv Narayan Birla, expanded the group's operations internationally, establishing 19 companies across Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and Egypt. Under his leadership, the group diversified into sectors such as metals, cement, textiles, and telecommunications .
Following Aditya Vikram Birla's untimely passing in 1995, his son, Kumar Mangalam Birla, assumed the role of chairman at the age of 28. Under his stewardship, the group's annual turnover grew from $2 billion in 1995 to $60 billion in 2022.
The Aditya Birla Group's diverse portfolio includes:
Metals: Hindalco Industries is a leading producer of aluminum and copper.
Cement: UltraTech Cement is India's largest manufacturer.
Financial Services: Aditya Birla Capital offers services in insurance, asset management, and lending.
Telecommunications: Vodafone Idea (Vi) is a major player in the Indian telecom sector.
Retail: Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail operates brands like Pantaloons and Van Heusen.
Textiles & Chemicals: Grasim Industries is involved in viscose staple fiber and chemical production.
Paints: Grasim's subsidiary, Birla Opus, has rapidly become a significant player in India's decorative paints market.
The group has a significant international footprint, with over 50% of its revenues derived from operations outside India. In recent years, it has made strategic expansions, including:
Chemical Sector: Acquiring a chemical manufacturing facility in Dalton, Georgia, from Cargill, marking a significant expansion in the U.S. manufacturing sector .
Financial Services: Launching a digital platform named ABCD, designed for payments and financial services like loans, with an investment of around 1 billion rupees ($12 million) .
Beyond business, the Aditya Birla Group is committed to social welfare. Through the Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development, the group supports over 9,000 villages, impacting approximately 11 million lives . The group's legacy is also marked by its contributions to education, healthcare, and rural development, reflecting its commitment to nation-building.