Architect of Goa's industrial development
Established in 1941, Chowgule and Co. Private Limited is the parent Company of
Chowgule Group of Companies.
The Company laid the foundation of industry in Goa and made pioneering contribution
to its development. The Company shipped 1,500 tonnes of manganese ore to Czechoslavakia
in 1947. And in 1950, a shipment of 9,000 tonnes of iron ore to Japan, opened
new economic vistas not only for the Company, but also for Goa.
In 1951, adopting a unique combination of practical, down-to-earth approach and
a 'vision', the Company wrote a new theory of success. A theory best exemplified
by the 'Chowgule Formula' - a historic agreement signed by the Company with the
Japanese steel industry.
The arrangement was unique. The Japanese would loan out equipment, men, and money
to mechanize their mines. And the Company would repay the loan through the cost
of the ore exported to Japan.
A brilliant strategy that boosted the volume of iron ore exports from Goa. And
the beginning of a saga of success.
The saga continues even today.
Nothing succeeds like innovation
The mechanization of mines was soon followed by modernization of the transport
system that carried the ore and loaded it onto the ships for export.
Slow and inadequate country craft was traditionally used for transporting iron
ore through the inland waterways up to the sea port. The Company ordered self-propelling
barges from Japan, speeding up delivery time and cutting costs.
Naturally, these barges needed maintenance. So, a repair yard was built.
What next? Moving over from repairing barges, the yard started building barges.
With its own expertise. Before long, the yard was putting out different kinds
of vessels onto internationals waters. The Chowgule vision shone through again.
If the ship can't come to port, why not take the port
to the ship?
The ore was loaded onto a ship in a particular way. The traditional way.
That is loading a ship partly alongside the port, due to 'low draft'. And the
rest, mid-stream, by winch-loading. Only to delay the dispatch of a vessel.
So in 1969, the Company introduced the 'uptopping' by a Transhipper - an ocean-going
vessel equipped with conveyor belts and cranes that drew alongside a ship mid-stream
and loaded the ore onto the ship.
Dispatch of vessels was now quicker. Yet again the Company showed the rest of
the shipping fraternity the way.
Liberation for the goan iron ore industry with help from
Japan
Innovation in some areas soon revealed flaws in the rest of the system. As the
volume of exports grew, it soon became evident that the ore-handling facilities
at Mormugao Port were highly inadequate. Bottlenecks were slowing down the speed
of dispatch and increasing freight charges and demurrage.
Taking the initiative yet again, the Company solicited Japan's help. And a completely
mechanized, all-weather ore-handling plant was installed at Berth no. 6 at Mormugao
Port.
Designed to work around the clock, the plant at once liberated the Goan Iron
Ore industry. Saving time and money. And making it more internationally competitive
in world markets. And also set the pace for a bigger Mechanical Ore-Handling
Plant, now in operation.
Metting new challenges
In order to increase productivity, the steel industry needed iron ore in the
form of pellets. The Company set up the first 0.5 million tonnes capacity Pelletization
Plant in the country in 1964. The first of its kind East of Suez and only the
3rd of its kind in the world. Promoted by the Company, a 1.8 million tonnes capacity
plant followed in 1979.
The plant benefited India's exports, setting an upswing trend for the country's
foreign exchange earnings.
Growing nationwide, via the world
In 1961, an event brought euphoria and a changed economic situation - the liberation
of Goa to become part of India. This called for a bigger playing field for the
industry in Goa. For the prudent Chowgules, it was time for the progressive diversification
into a range of critical activities in the core sector of India's industry. Diversification
linked to the needs of a fast developing nation. Thus becoming a part of the
industrial canvass nationwide, the Chowgules grew. With their Industrial Salt
Project in Gujarat; Explosives plants in Karnataka, Maharastra and Madya Pradesh;
Oxygen and Acetylene Plant in Maharastra and a Brewery in Maharastra. This progression
to the national industrial main-stream was beginning of the surge that placed
the Chowgule Group securely on the Industrial map of the world.
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