YEAR EVENTS 1919 - The Company was incorporated at Calcutta. The main object of the company is to Manufacture Jute goods, calcium carbide, oxygen and acetylene gases, synthetic and viscose yarn and cement. - The Cement division comprises Satna Cement works and Birla Vikas Cement (new plant) at Satna (M.P.); the Birla Cement Works at Chittorgarh (Rajasthan) and Durgapur Cement Works at Durgapur (W. Bengal). - The Jute Mills division comprises of Birla Jute Mill at Birlapur, Bally Jute Mills (Bally-1) at Bally and Soorah Jute Mills (Bally-2) at Narkeldanga, all in W. Bengal. - The staple fibre division is known as "Birla Synthetics" and the calcium carbide division is known as "Birla Carbide & Gases". 1964 - The Oxygen & Acetylene Gas Unit was commissioned in August. The Company also entered into an agreement with Indian Oxygen, Calcutta, for exlusive sale of its products on principal to principal basis. 1966 - In August, 3,98,906 Bonus Equity shares issued in prop. 1:4. 1967 - 7.86% II Pref. shares redeemed on 30th Sept., 75,000 III 9.3% Pref. shares issued at par. 1969 - The Company entered into an agreement with Hindustan Steel, Ltd. for the purchase of blast furnace slag from the Durgapur Steel Plant to set up a slag-cement plant at Durgapur. The Durgapur Slag-Cement unit comprising the fourth cement mill with an integrated E.S.P. unit was commissioned in March 1981. 1970 - In March, 18,94,527 Bonus Equity shares issued in the prop. 1:1. 1979 - 39,89,054 Bonus Equity shares issued in prop. 1:1. 1982 - The Company undertook a comprehensive modernisation scheme of its spinning unit phased over three years. - Bally Jute Co. Ltd., having two units viz. Bally-1 and Bally-2 was amalgamated with the Company with effect from 1st April. As per the scheme, a total of 1,02,370 equity shares of Rs 10 each and 30,000 - 15% debentures of Rs 100 each were allotted to the members of Bally Jute Co. Ltd. These debentures are redeemable at par on March '90. The Bally-1 Jute Mill and Bally-2 Jute Mill have come to be known as Bally Jute Mills and Soorah Jute Mill respectively. - 4,61,848 No. of equity shares issued on 1.4.1983 (prem. Rs 20 per share) to financial institutions in conversion of loans/debs. (30,186 shares to ICICI; 1,666 shares to IFCI; 1,43,333 shares to IDBI; 1,43,333 shares to UTI and 1,43,333 shares to GIC and its subsidiaries). - The Company revalued the assets of its Birla Jute Mills, Birla Carbide & Gases and Birla Synthetics, all at Birlapur, Bally Jute Mills at Bally and Soorah Jute Mill at Narkeldanga as on 1st April. 1983 - Two diesel generating sets of 4000 KW capacity each were installed and commissioned at Birla Vikas Cement Unit. - With effect from 7th February, the name of the company was changed from the Birla Jute Mfg. Co. Ltd. to Birla Jute & Industries, Ltd. Effective 31st March 1997, the name was again changed from `Birla Jute & Industries Ltd.' to Birla Corp. Ltd. - With effect from 1st April, the Company cancelled its 23,642 - 7 1/2% preference shares of Rs 100 each and issued and allotted in lieu thereof 23,642 - 15% secured non-convertible redeemable debentures of Rs 100 each in the prop. of 1 debenture for every one such preference share. These debentures are redeemable at par on 31st March, 1990 or earlier by giving three months' prior notice. 1984 - The captive thermal plant of 4.5 MW at Chittorgarh was commissioned in December 1985. - In order to raise funds for substantial expansion in the capacity of the cement works at Chittorgarh, the Company issued 13 1/2% convertible debentures of Rs 230 each for Rs 11.5 crores and 15% non-convertible debentures of Rs 100 each for another Rs 8 crores, Rs 30 from each convertible debenture was converted into 3 equity shares of Rs 10 each on 1st July 1985. - 1,43,333 No. of equity shares issued (prem. of Rs 20 per share) to LIC on 1st September, in part conversion of loan. 1985 - 15,00,000 shares issued at par on 1st July, in conversion of debs. 1,01,85,659 bonus equity shares issued in prop. 1:1. 1986 - A letter of intent was received for increasing the installed capacity from 45,680 spindles to 50,000 spindles. It was implemented during the year. 1987 - The old wet process plant was affected by poor quality of coal but the modern dry process plant was affected by poor quality of coal. - The Birla Carbide & Gases unit suffered losses on account of increase in the costs of power and carcoal coupled with sharp decline in the realisations. - A letter of intent was received for the setting up of a hydrogen peroxide plant of 4,500 TPa capacity on 100% concentration basis. Efforts were made to obtain technology and know-how for the project. 1988 - As a part of modernisation programme, modern jute spreaders were introduced in both Birla and Bally Mills. However, labour union at all the three mills were opposing the modernisation programme fearing retrenchment. - The inferior quality of coal and labour troubles coupled with sluggish demand for cement reduced the cement capacity utilisation at the old plant in Chittor. - The production at Birla Carbide & Gases unit was slightly lower due to a six week shut down of the plant for relining of furnace and lime kiln. 1989 - An agreement was signed on 18th February, by the company and the Soviet Collaborators, viz. Odessa Technical Fabrics Mill and V/o Novoexport to transfer all assets and liabilities of Bally Jute Mills, with effect from 1st April or other date as agreed upon, to a new Joint Venture Company, Birla Odessa Industries Ltd. in consideration of offer of equity shares of paid-up equity share capital of the Joint Venture Company. - A collaboration agreement was signed by the Company with EMPRWERKE of Germany for the manufacture of Automobile interior Door panels based on jute fibre. - A MOU was signed by the Company with Maruti Udyog Ltd. to supply door panels manufactured by them. - The Company initiated a fresh programme of modernisation. - As the long term prospect for the manufacture of calcium carbide in W. Bengal is not encouraging, application was made to Govt. for conversion of the furnaces to the manufacture of ferro-silicon. 1990 - Production of both cement and clinker and despatches of cement were lower due to the prolonged disruption in production at the chittor cement works and due to labour unrest. - An application for a letter of intent for expansion at Satna was submitted for expansion of its capacity from 15.5 lakh tonnes to 27.5 lakh tonnes. - In February, the company allotted 20,00,000-14% secured redeemable non-convertible debentures of 100 each to financial institutions on private placement basis. 1991 - The break-up of the USSR, and the suspension of their purchasing during the second half of 1991-92 was a severe blow to the Company. But the benefits could not be reaped due to an industry wide strike that led to closure of the mills for seven weeks. - 11,000 high speed ring spindles, three high speed cards, five high speed draw frames were replaced and five sets of autolevellers were installed. In addition, four Volkman TFO machines were also added to augment supply of knotless export yarn. - With a view to increase export of higher value added jute products, the export yarn unit at Birlapur was being expanded and quality upgraded while a new unit was being set up at Bally to produce high quality export yarn with upto-date technology. - Operations of the Satna plant were adversely affected due to heavy power cuts and shortage and poor quality of coal leading to lower production of clinker and cement. - The Chittor plant was awarded the second best productivity award for the year 1991-92 and 1993-94. - With the commissioning of two modified kilns with the installed capacity of each kiln increased to 900 TPD while energy consumption got reduced by 25%. - Birla Vinoleum's new PVC floor covering plant was fully installed. - The Company undertook to manufacture Cetaria ferro alloys in one of the furnaces of Birla Carbide. - India Linoleums Ltd., a subsidiary of the Company was amalgamated with the company effective 1st April. As per the scheme, 1 ordinary share of Rs 10 each of the Company was issued for every 5 equity shares of Rs 10 each held in India Linoleum, Ltd. Accordingly, 700 ordinary shares of Rs 10 each were allotted to the shareholders of erstwhile India Linoleum, Ltd. 1992 - The closure of the Company's Bally Jute Mills from 26th August, had also contributed to the low turnover and profits. - Due to severe labour problems, Bally Jute Mills suspended production from 26th August. The continued loss of markets in Russia and other CIS countries was made up by increased export to GCA markets. Bally Jute Mills reopened on 1st August 1993 with the commissioning of sophisticated export yearn unit and high value fabric unit. - Production of Birla Synthetics division declined due to the shortage in the supply of viscose staple fibre from Grasim, the major supplier which had a closure of 60 days due to labour problems. - Additional autoconers, T.F.O. machines and other equipments were commissioned for catering to the export market. - Installation of high efficiency separators on all cement grinding mills. The cement grinding mill was scheduled to be commissioned by September 1993. - The Company entered into a long term agreement with a German linoleum manufacture for technical help in upgrading the product and marketing it within Europe on a regular basis. - The revival and remodelling of the second submerged arc furnace was undertaken for the production of ferro manganese. 1995 - Production of jute declined due to the industrywide strike called by the trade unions, shortage of fibre and acute shortage of raw jute resulting in an unprecendented rise in prices. - The company was setting up Dornier Looms at Birla Jute Mills to produce Lino Hessian and other specialities to give a further boost to the production of export-oriented value added items. - Two DG sets of 6 MW capacity were to be installed at Satna and Chittor to meet the power shortages. 1996 - A joint venture company `Birla Redland Readymix Ltd.' was incorporated with Redland PLC, UK to set up facilities for manufacture of readymix cement concrete in India. - The company proposed to set up a 1.2 million plant each at Satna and Chittor. - India Linoleum unit was demerged from the company under a scheme of arrangement which provided for transfer of all assets and liabilities of the India Linoleum unit to Birla-DLW Ltd. a joint venture between the company and DLW Aktiengesellschaft of Germany. This arrangement was effective from 1st April. 1997 - As on 31st March, the Company held the entire issued share capital of its subsidiaries, Assam Jute Supply Co. Ltd. - Shareholders of Birla Jute & Industries Ltd at an extra ordinary general meeting which sought to authorise the board to change the name of the company to Birla Corp Ltd and to restructure the present businesses of the company. - Shareholders of Birla Corp (the erstwhile Birla Jute & Industries Ltd) on 16th July approved the company's proposal to promote a 50:50 joint venture with Redland Plc of the UK, but only after voicing their resentment over the decision. 1998 - Birla Corp Ltd. of the M P Birla group is setting up a fly ash-based cement grinding unit at Rae Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh. 1999 - The company is using slag in the range of 50-55 per cent with a small percentage of chemical additives to ensure strength, durability and anti-corrosive properties of its cement. - The company's Satna and Durgapur plants have been exporting large quantities of cement to Bangladesh and Nepal where prices have gone down "substantially on account of cheaper supplies from China and Indonesia and the prevailing prices hardly give any contribution." - The company's installed capacity will go up to five million tonnes per annum. 2000 - Due to the continuing strike by workers of the company's unit at Birla Jute Mills, Birlapur, which commenced since March 22, the management of the company has been constrained to declare a lock-out of the mills with effect from April 3. - The Company to increase the authorised share capital of the company from Rs. 75 crores to Rs. 100 crore. - The Company to issue ordinary shares of the company on rights basis to the shareholders of the company in the ratio of three ordinary shares for every 10 ordinary shares held within a price band of Rs. 20 to Rs. 24. 2002 -Makes it clear not to invest further in Cement business. -Board approves the proposal to install power plants with a total capacity of 52 MW at its Cement Units at Satna. 2003 -Appoints Shri Jayant Kumar Ray as Nominee Director by IDBI on the board of the company, and Shri Pracheta Majumdar as the Additional Director on the Board of the company. -Receives 6 disclosures from Shri N K Kejriwal, Director and his family members. -Birla Corporation Ltd has informed that Shri. Ajay Saraf, Deputy General Manager, ICICI Bank Ltd., has been appointed as Nominee Director by ICICI Bank Limited in place of Shri Arnab Basu on the Board of the company. -Birla Jute Mills and Soorah Jute Mills have gone on strike on December 29, 2003. 2004 -Birla Corporation Ltd has informed that the ordinary shares of the Company have been delisted from DSE w.e.f. December 29, 2003. -Birla Corporation Ltd had informed regarding an indefinite strike at the company's units: Birla Jute Mills and Soorah Jute Mills. The company has now informed that following the industry-wide tripartite agreement, the workmen have agreed to call-off the strike immediately and resume normal work in the mills wef 6.00 am of January 10, 2004. -Chairperson Smt. Priyamvada Birla passes away on July 3, 2004 2007 -Birla Corporation Ltd has appointed Shri. B B Tandon as Director on the Board of the Company to fill the casual vacancy arising out of the sad demise of Shri. P K Kaul. 2010 - Birla Corporation Ltd has informed that at the Meeting of the Board of Directors held on April 22, 2010, Shri Deepak Nayyar and Shri Mahendra Kumar Sharma have been appointed as Additional Directors of the Company. 2011 -Company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Government of Assam at Guwahati 2012 -BirlaCorp - Expansion of Grinding Capacity at Durgapur -Trial production of clinker from the brownfield cement capacity expansion project of 1.2 Million Tonne at Chanderia has commenced 2013 -Birla Corporation Lt - Mining Operations at Chanderia 2014 -The Company has declared Dividend of Rs. 6.00 per share (i.e. 60%) on 7,70,05,347 ordinary shares for the Financial Year 2013-14 2016 -Birla Corporation completes acquisition of cement business of Reliance -The Company has signed a deal with RIL whereby it took over cement production unit of RIL for Rs 4,800 crore at a valuation of USD 140 a tonne. 2017 -The Company has consolidated its position in the Central zone, after acquisition of the Reliance units, to assume co-leadership position in the growing and profitable markets of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. -M P Birla cement is now co leader in the fast growing central india market and bihar in the east with a strong brand folio straddling across different price segment. -M P Birla Won "Best Private Sector Organization" Award at the inaugural session of NCQC'17, Mysore (1st-4th December'17). 2018 -Company received PAR Excellence Award for the Maihar IU team "Perfect" from the Quality Circle Forum of India - Gwalior Chapter Competition. -Company received One of the Top Taxpayer in the region Trophy by GST and Central Excise Commissionerate, Jabalpur. 2019 -company received Best Improvement Thermal Energy Performance 2018-19 By NCCBM on 27.11.2019. -Company received Received from Indian Bureau of Mines, GoI, 23.11.21 during the 5th Conclave of Mines and Minerals. 2021 -Company Awarded for contribution in the Cements, Paints and Allied Industries Sector. -Company received Platinum Award in Cement Sector for Outstanding Achievement in Environment Preservation. 2022 -Company received Greentech Corporate Governance Award 2022. 2023 -Birla Corporation Limited has won the "Golden Peacock Award for Excellence in Corporate Governance". -PRSI National Award 2023 for BCL Annual Report 2022-23 (second prize).