The mighty Singhanias of the JK Group

We often take names of Tatas, Birlas, Ambanis when referring to a large family-owned conglomerates which have existed in India since decades. However, the one which has been through generations and has existed since centuries is - JK Group.

Sure you would have heard of the mighty Singhanias.

Brief history:

Although the availability of records dates back to late 18th century, when patriarch Vinodi Das Singhania left Singhana (Rajasthan) and started off as a banker, Kolkata based JK Group was officially commenced in 1920s. It derives its name from the founders Lala Juggilal and his son Lala Kamlapat Singhania when they started with Juggilal Kamlapat Cotton Spinning & Weaving Mills in 1921.

Fast forwarding, Kamlapat had 3 sons - Padmapat, Kailashpat and Lakshmipat Singhania, who carried forward the legacy of Kamlapat and expanded the empire organically and inorganically through India and globally.

Later they parted ways (not family feud, but to grow the business in different parts of India). Padmapat took reigns of north, Kailashpat west and Lakshmipat east. All three brothers, along with either their own sons or nephews, grew business independently, foraying into new sectors and avenues.

Padmapat had 3 sons - Gopal Krishna, Gaur Hari and Govind Hari Singhania.

Kailashpat had 2 sons - Ajaypat and Vijaypat Singhania.

Lakshmipat had 4 sons - Hari Shankar, Bharat Hari, Raghupati and Sripati Singhania.

Below is the patriarchal family tree since Late Juggilal Singhania (1847-1922)

It was in this generation that the family feud started and the business got broken into several parts, headed by children or grand children of the brothers above.

Later, the organisation got split into three factions - Kanpur, Mumbai and Delhi (roots from Kolkata). The three factions have nothing to do with each other legally or financially, however, they use the JK brand name universally.

As per the tradition, the oldest patriarch of the family heads the JK Organisation. Current president is Shri Bharat Hari Singhania.

The group is into a wide spectrum of sectors such as Synthetic Fibers like: Nylon, Polyester, Acrylic, Paper & Boards, Cement, Automobile Tyres & Tubes, Cotton, Woolen and Jute Textiles, Engineering, Plastic Processing, Agrochemicals, Hybrid Seeds, Cosmetics, Audio & Video magnetic tapes, Power transmission including V-Belts and Conveyor Beltings, Automotive Belts, Oil Seals, System Engineering, Industrial, Electronics and Material handling systems etc.

The Group is further diversifying in other fields like Petrochemicals, Steel, Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, Food & Dairy Products, Electronics, Computer Software, Power generation, Rubber hoses, etc. The Group exports number of products including Jute Textiles, Woolen Textiles, Readymade Garments, Engineering Files, Tyres and Tubes, Synthetic Fibers, Paper, Marine products, Spices etc.

Let's take a look at major businesses faction wise:

Kanpur faction:

JK Cement, JK Technosoft, JK Cotton, JK Business School, Gaur Hari Singhania Institute of Management and Research, JK Synthetics.

Ongoing feud between - Yadupati vs Govind Hari and Abhishek vs Ramapati and Nidhipati

Mumbai faction:

Raymonds Group

Ongoing feud between - Vijaypat vs son Gautam, also Gautam vs Anant and Akshaypat, Raivathri (son of Madhupati, who was humiliated by his father Vijaypat in favour of Gautam) vs Gautam

Delhi faction:

JK Tyres, JK Paper, JK Agri Genetics, Fenner, JK Lakshmi Cement, JK Risk Manager and Insurance Brokers, Umang Diaries, Dwarkesh Energies

No such major feud here currently.

Other facts:

JK Temple was constructed by this group's trust.

National Insurance Company was bought by JK Organisation which was later nationalised.

An amazing story of a super strong business which has broken up because of family feuds. Companies under JK Organisation would be worth c.US$7-8 billion (listed + unlisted). Who knows if the brothers remained together, where this might have been today!!

Source: press, JK Organisation group companies