History of Titan Industries Ltd.
1984
- The Comp. was Incorporated on 26th July, at Chennai. The Manufacture analog electronic watches with a choice of over 150 designs. The Comp. was promoted jointly by Questar Investments, Ltd., a Tata Comp. with its associates Tata Sons, Ltd., & Tata Press, Ltd., & Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation, Ltd. [TIDCOs]. The main objective of Comp. is to manufacture analog electronic watches with a choice of over 150 designs.
- The Comp. undertook to set up a plant for manufacture of quartz analog electronic watches in the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu, limited Industrial area at Hosur.
- The Comp. entered into a collaboration agreement with France Ebauches [FEs] of France, manufacturers of watch movements and components, for technical documentation, assistance in procurement of manufacturing equipments, raw materials, etc.
- The Comp. proposed to manufacture 2 million digital & ana-digi watches in collaboration with Casio Computer Comp. of Japan. A MOU was signed between the Comp. & Casio in November, 1986.
1987
- The Comp. established a manufacturing facility at Hosur for the manufacture of components for watches.
- In April the Comp. also issued 5,25,000 - 13.5% secured redeemable partly convertible debentures of Rs 300 each for cash at par. The debentures were allotted on preferential basis: [is] 26,250 debentures to employees/workers of Comp. & associate companies [iis] 52,500 debentures to shareholders of Tata Press limited & [iiis] 1,31,250 debentures to NRIs on repatriation basis. The remaining 3,04,500 debentures along with the unsubscribed portion of 78,900 debentures from the preferential quota were offered for public subscription during April. Additional 1,31,250 debentures were allotted to retain over-subscription.
- The convertible portion of Rs 100 of face value of each debenture was converted into 10 equity shares of Rs 10 each at the end of three months from the date of allotment of debentures [65,62,500 equity shares were allotted accordinglys].
- The non-convertible portion of Rs 200 of face value of each debenture was to be redeemed at par at the end of 10 years from the date of allotment of debentures.
1989
- A new range of watches called `Aqura' was launched in December.
- The case plant at Hosur was commissioned. The plant was to produce 1.5 million watch cases. The project cost was financed partly through internal resources & largely through borrowings from IFC, Washington and the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation, Ltd.
- The Comp. set up a satellite case plant at Dehra Dun in Uttar Pradesh with a capacity of 5,00,000 watch cases per annum to improve operating efficiency & reduce costs.
- During August, the Comp. issued 2,52,000 - 12.5% convertible debentures of Rs 500 each as follows: [is] 2,40,000 debentures on rights basis in the proportion 1 debenture: 100 equity shares held & [iis] 12,000 debentures to employees/workers of Comp. on an equitable basis. A total of 2,84,455 debentures were allotted under this issue including retention of oversubscription.
- Part `A' of each debenture of face value of Rs 100 was compulsorily and automatically converted into 10 equity shares of Rs 10 each at par on expiry of six months from the date of allotment of debentures.
- Part `B' of each debenture of face value of Rs 200 was converted into 4 equity shares of Rs 10 each at a premium of Rs 50 per share on 1.10.92.
- Part `C' the non-convertible portion of each debenture of face value of Rs 200 was to be redeemed at par at the end of 10th year from the date of allotment of debentures.
- The proceeds of issue were to be utilised to meet a part of the fund requirement of company project to manufacture watch cases and other critical components inhouse.
- The Comp. proposed to offer 40,26,700-12.5% fully convertible debentures of Rs 100 each on Rights basis in the proportion 2 debs: 20 equity shares held. Another 2,012,340 - 12.5% debentures were to be issued to the employees' on an equitable basis.
- Rs 40 of face value of each debenture was to be converted into 1 equity share of Rs 10 each at a premium of Rs 30 per share on or before 30th September, 1995.
- Rs 60 of face value of each debenture was to be converted into 1 equity share of Rs 10 each at a premium not exceeding Rs 50 per share on or before 30th September, 1996.
1991
- A joint venture Comp. along with Economic Development Council of Goa, Daman and Diu Ltd., in the name of Titan Time Products, Ltd., was set up at Goa, for manufacture of Electronic Circuit Blocks.
- The Comp. undertook to set up a jewellery business at Hosur. The jewellery repertoire was to include both daily-wear jewellery and luxury products.
- Grant Walker, a U.K. based firm, was to provide the necessary consultancy services & the marketing was to be undertaken worldwide through an offshore Comp. controlled by Titan Watches Ltd., with its mainbase in London.
- The Comp. along with other Tata Associates were to participate in the equity of Timex, who were to offer equity shares of Rs 10 each at a premium of Rs 40 per share. It was also proposed to make a Partly convertible debenture of nearly Rs 60 crores.
1992
- Over 150 new models were introduced of which `Raga' introduced in June, `Spectra' a range of watches in steel & gold plated was reintroduced with a new look in August. It was proposed to introduce a host of new products based on new movements.
- It was also proposed to sell the brand name `Aqura' & the right to make Aqura products to Timex, with a view to move up market.
- With a view to streamling the Company international operations, it was decided to set up a wholly owned subsidiary 'Titan Holdings BV' in Netherlands. Approval was received for investment of share capital of 2 million U.S. $ in that Company.
- Titan Time Products, Ltd., is a joint sector project set up with the Economic Development Council of Goa, Daman & Diu.
- Titan Properties Ltd., was incorporated to undertake land development and housing scheme for Company employees at Hosur.
- The Comp. issued 134,22,300 Rights equity shares of Rs 10 each for cash at a premium of Rs 40 per share in the proportion 1:2 [all were taken ups].
- Another 5,69,000 No. of equity shares of Rs 10 each were issued at a premium of Rs 40 per share in proportion 2 shares: 1 debenture held to Part B holders of 12.5%. Convertible debentures issued in 1989. [all were taken ups].
- 6,99,600 No. of equity shares of Rs 10 each were offered at a premium of Rs 40 per share to employees of Comp. & those of promoter companies on an equitable basis [only 3,02,600 shares taken ups].
1993
- The name of Comp. was changed with effect from 21st Sept. from Titan Watches, limited to Titan Industries Ltd., in view of fact that the Company products consisted of not only watches but also jewellery.
1994
- The Comp. introduced `Tanishq' range of watches made of 18 carat gold & studded with precious stones. A new range of watch `Insignia' manufactured for European market likely to be introduced in the domestic market.
- The Comp. proposed to expand the watch manufacturing to 5 million pieces by adding some balancing equipment & productivity devices in the component manufacturing plants.
- The Comp. proposed to establish new facilities for manufacture of table clocks with a capacity of 1.5 million pieces per annum. New facilities were also being established for manufacture of complex integrated metal bracelets with a capacity of 1.2 million bracelets with technical assistance from a reputed manufacturer in Japan.
- A new Comp. was established in Singapore to market products in South & South East Asian countries.
1995
- The Comp. proposed to set up a joint venture Comp. with Hour Glass of Singapore to set up watch boutiques in leading Indian cities for the sale of luxury watches & also be responsible for wholesale and after-sales operations.
1996
- The Comp. has introduced new economy range of watches called 'Sonata' & Tanistiq 22 Karat ethnic Jewellery during the year.
- 23,00,000 Pref. shares issued on private placement basis.
1998
- 3.5%, 14% & 12% redeemable cumulative preference shares has been fully redeemed.
- The Comp. now has 102 exclusive Titan Showrooms & a chain of 83 Timezone outlets in addition to being present in over 5400 dealer outlets in 1300 towns & cities across the country.
- Mr A C Mukherji & Mr T K Balaji retire by rotation & are eligible for reappointment.
- During the year, the Tamilnadu Industrial Development Corporation [TIDCOs] nominated Mr R Gopalan, their Chairman & Managing Director.
- The Research and Development Group has developed a slim movement with date which has been introduced in the market.
2000
- Titan Industries has announced the launch of Cyber, a range of digital clocks.
- ICRA has withdrawn the A1+ rating assigned to the Rs 15 crore CP programme of Comp. as there is no outstanding against the instrument.
- Titan Industries has been conferred the award for excellence in electronics for year 1998 by ministry of information technology [MITs].
- Titan has launched a new `Style at Work' collection under its Classique range.
- Tanishq, the jewellery division of Titan Industries Ltd, has opened its second showroom in Kerala.
- Pizza Hut has introduced baarah nahi toh tera, a new deal in which a customer who orders a `speed lunch' gets it in 12 minutes, or gets it free. As part of offer, Pizza Hut has entered into a tie-up with Titan, through which a Titan Fast-track watch will be displayed on every table to mark the 12 minute countdown.
- Titan Industries' jewellery arm Tanishq is getting into an memorandum of understading with Canara Bank & Corporation Bank to convert gold articles into slabs.
- Titan Industries is considering launching a `third brand' for the upper end.
- Titan Industries unveiled a new range of wrist-watches, called the Classique range, for Corporate Executives.
- Titan Industries has announced a new range of Fastrack watches for young women in the city
2001
- Titan Industries limited has launched three new collections of its popular Dash brand of watches for kids -- Popeye, Digital and Lumibrite.
- Titan Industries on June 27 reported its profit rose 21.8 per cent in the past year to March, reflecting strong sales growth by its jewellery division.
2002
- Titan Industries Ltd informs that the Board of Directors have appointed Mr. V.K.Jeyakodi, IAS, Executive Director, Tamil Industrial Development Corporation Ltd as a Director of Company, in place of Mr. Hemant Kumar Sinha who has resigned.
- Titan Industries Ltd informs that Mr Bhaskar Bhat is appointed as Managing Director of Company.Mr Bhaskar Bhat succeeds Mr Xerxes Desai who steps down as Managing Director on March 31, 2002, at the end of his tenure.
-Titan Industries Ltd, the Board of Directors have appointed Mr M Kalaivanan, appointment in place of Mr V K Jeyakodi who has resigned from the Board on March 27, 2002.The Board of Directors have also appointed Mr Krishnadas Nair as an additional independent Director on the Board of Comp. effective May 02, 2002.
- At the Board meeting of Titan Industries Ltd held today [June 26, 2002s], the Board of Directors noted & accepted the resignation of Mr A Gowrishankar as Chairman & Director & Mr M Kalaivanan as a Director, both of them were nominee directors of TamilNadu Industrial Development Corporation Ltd [Tidcos] The Directors have also approved the appointment of Dr R Vijaykumar as a Nominee Director of Tidco in place of Mr M Kalaivanan.
- Titan Industries Ltd decides that it would be in the long-term interest of Comp. to rationalise its manpower & to improve productivity. With a view to achieve this objective & keeping the best interests of both employees & the Comp. in mind the Comp. has decided to introduce a Voluntary Retirement Scheme to its permanent employees. The scheme has been notified today July 25, 2002 to the employees of company.
-Arun Kumar appointed as Director and Chairman of Titan Industries.
2003
-Tanishq steps into a new segment Silverware. The silverware range has been designed by Michael Folly, the designer for Titan. We have introduced silverware in all metros, said YL Saroja, group manager, sales & marketing, Tanishq. This is a Rs 5,000 crore market & has few organised & branded players.
-Management decided to declare partial lock-out at the company manufacturing facilities at Hosur.
-Floats towards automotive & aerospace precision mechatronics for aviation & auto tools.
-Mr Jacob Kurian, Chief Operating Officer gives his resignation to the company.
-Soldbusiness of publishing Readers Digest Magazine for a lumpsum consideration of Rs 150 million to Living Media India ltd.
2004
-GVM International Ltd., a licensee of Tommy Hilfiger Licensing Inc [a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tommy Hilfiger Corporations], & a member of Murjani Group, enters into an exclusive sub-licensing agreement with Titan Industries Ltd to market & distribute Tommy Hilfiger watches in the country
-Relaunches 'Raga', the women watch range
-Titan has announced the launch of new collection of women watches called 'Raga Miniatures'. Small & delicate in size the watches bracelets in 15 varieties of gold & steel & is priced at Rs 2995 onwards.
-Titan Industries Ltd announced the launch of customer service `Original Spares' logo
-Titan has announced the launch of Raga 9 to 5 collection of watches aimed at working women. The collection comprises around 40 designs & is targeted at women in the age group of 25 to 45. The new range is available at a price ranging from Rs 1650 to Rs 5000.
-Titan Industries on June 18, 2004, announced the launch of Tommy Hilfiger watch collection in India. Titan has entered into an exclusive sub-licensing arrangement with GVM International Ltd, a member of Murjani Group, for marketing & distribution of Tommy Hilfiger watches in India
-Watch & jewellery manufacturer Titan Industries forayed into the fashion accesssories industry with the launch of sunglasses, a Rs 330-crore market
-Rolls out new range of designer eyewear in Chennai
-Titan Industries on July 22, 2004, launched the Flip collection - a dual-faced watch that incorporates two watch movements embedded in a single case
-Titan rolls out new range of jewellery watches under the 'Nebula' brand
-Titan Industries launches Crown Collection watches
-Titan partners with LVMH Group
-Titan Industries launches Cal Track
2005
-Titan re-introduces Fastrack range of watches
2006
-Titan Industries Ltd has informed that Mr. Harish Bhat is being appointed as Chief Operating Officer [COOs] - Watches & Licensing and Accessories Division of Company.
2007
-Titan Industries Ltd has informed that Mr. Sunil Paliwal, IAS, Executive Director, Tamilnadu Industrial Development Corporation Ltd [TIDCOs] has been inducted as an Additional Director in the Board of Comp. with effect from February 26, 2007.
- Titan Industries Ltd has informed that the Board of Directors of Comp. at its meeting held on October 29, 2007, inter alia, has appointed Mr. Kumar Jayant, IAS, nominee Director, Tamilnadu Industrial Development Corporation Ltd as an Additional Director in the Board of Comp. with effect from October 29, 2007.
Mr. Sunil Paliwal, IAS, nominee Director, Tamilnadu Industrial Development Corporation Ltd has resigned as Director of Company.
