Jessop & Company

Last updated

Jessop & Company
Company type private
IndustryHeavy Engineering & Infrastructure
Founded1788
Defunct2013
Headquarters
Kolkata
,
India
Area served
India
Key people
Pawan K. Ruia, Chairman of Ruia Group
ProductsRailway Wagons, Cranes, Construction Equipment, Engineering-Procurement-Construction (EPC) Services
Owner Ruia Group (100%)
Website www.jessop.co.in

Jessop & Company Limited was an Indian Government owned engineering company based at Dum Dum, Kolkata, India. It was sold by Government of India to Ruia Group when Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Bharatiya Janta Party was in power. [1] It is part of the Ruia Group of companies, which also owns prominent rubber & tyre companies like Dunlop India and Falcon Tyres. [2]

Contents

It was declared as sick and liquidated in 2013 citing fall in productivity and Jessop trade unions had denied accepting productivity-linked wage or halving the number of workers in the factory offered by the Ruia group management to keep the company going. [3]

History

A Jessop-built 1.5 kV DC EMU train built in the 1950s. It was one of the first EMU of Mumbai suburban railway. This design was nicknamed the Lovemate, and was discontinued in 2016 Mumbai suburban railway emu 3.JPG
A Jessop-built 1.5 kV DC EMU train built in the 1950s. It was one of the first EMU of Mumbai suburban railway. This design was nicknamed the Lovemate, and was discontinued in 2016

Jessop & Company Limited is India's oldest engineering company, established in 1788. [4]

The history of Jessop & Co. Ltd goes back to year 1788 when Breen & Company was founded in Calcutta. In 1820, Henry and George, sons of William Jessop acquired Breen & Company on behalf of Butterley Company, which was established by William Jessop in Derbyshire. These two companies were merged in 1820 to be renamed as Jessop & Company. [1] [5] The company, during British Raj was a large engineering giant having its head office at 63, Netaji Subhas Road, Kolkata and large manufacturing facilities spread over 63 acres at Dum Dum. [6]

The management of company was taken over by Government of India in 1958 and subsequently in 1973, the company was wholly taken over by the Government of India and Jessop became public sector undertaking. In 1986, with the formation of Bharat Bhari Udyog Nigam (BBUNL), a public sector holding company under administrative control of two government ministries, Department of Heavy Industry and Ministry of Industry, Jessop became a subsidiary of the holding company. [1] [7]

In 2003 the Government of India divested its stake in Jessop & Co. Ltd under privatization programme and sold its 72% stake to Ruia group owned by Pawan Kumar Ruia, who turned it into a profit making entity. [8] [9]

Achievements

Jessop & Co Limited is accredited to have built the first iron bridge in British India over River Gomti, popularly known as Loha-ka-Pul at Lucknow built during year 1815-1840. It was ordered by Nawab of Oudh [4] [6] [10] Jessop's has also built one steam locomotive, delivered to the Nawab of Oudh in the 19th century [5]

The first steam boat to sail on Indian waters made in India was made by Jessop & Co. in 1819. [11] In 1890 it rolled out the first steam road roller for India. [11] It was also one of the pioneers to make heavy duty cranes.

It was part of the team that built Parliament House [8] during year 1921-27 in New Delhi.

In 1930 it formed a partnership company with Braithwaite & Co. Ltd., Burn & Company to form company named Braithwaite, Burn & Jessop Construction Company, for construction of first semi balance cantilever bridge of India, the Howrah Bridge, [6] [11] [8] [12] the construction of which began in 1936 and completed in 1942. The same company Braithwate, Burn & Jessop also won the contract for the construction of Vidyasagar Setu in 1972 completed in 1993, the first cable-stayed bridge in India. [11]

Further, in 1959, it manufactured the first Electrical Multiple Unit coach for Indian Railways. [11] [8] In 1956 it supplied radial gate for Nagarjuna Sagar Dam later on in 1976 it again pioneered for manufacturing Caisson gates for Haldia Dock Project, first time in India. [11]

New cars used by the tram system in Kolkata was delivered by Jessop in 2012.

Present status

63 Netaji Subhas Road, viewed from Strand Road, Kolkata 63 Netaji Subhas Road - Strand Road View - Kolkata 2016-10-11 0502.JPG
63 Netaji Subhas Road, viewed from Strand Road, Kolkata

The company's net worth eroded over the years and losses mounted into several hundred crores of rupees, as a public sector company. In 2003 the Government of India divested its stake in Jessop & Co. Ltd under the privatisation programme and sold its 72% stake to the Ruia group owned by Pawan Kumar Ruia, who turned it into a profit-making entity. [8] [9] The sale of government share was objected to by staff but the High Court later cleared the deal. [13]

The huge building and company headquarters since 1788 in the heart of the city near B. B. D. Bagh at 63, Netaji Subhas Road [14] was, however, taken over by the Government of West Bengal as the company did not have funds to pay its dues to the state. The company now operates from its works at 1, Jessore Road, Dum Dum, Kolkata.

Today, Jessop manufactures railway coaches and wagons, cranes, road rollers and hydraulic equipment. [6] It is the only company in Asia which has an integrated test facility for testing power roof support and hydraulic items. [5] [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dum Dum</span> City in West Bengal, India

Dum Dum is a city and a municipality in the Kolkata Metropolitan Area of North 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, also known as Kolkata Airport, is situated at Dum Dum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madhyamgram</span> Town in West Bengal, India

Madhyamgram is a town and a municipality of North 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is close to Kolkata and also a part of area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baranagar</span> City in West Bengal, India

Baranagar or Barahanagar
is a city and a municipality in Kolkata Metropolitan Area of North 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). Baranagar is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in North Kolkata region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kolkata Suburban Railway</span> Rail system in Kolkata, India

The Kolkata Suburban Railway is a set of suburban and regional rail services serving the Kolkata metropolitan area and its surroundings in India. It is the largest suburban railway network in the country by number of stations and track length, and also one of the largest in the world. There are five main lines and nineteen branch lines. It operates more than 1,500 services, carrying 3.5 million people daily and 1.2 billion people every year. It runs from 03:00 am until 02:00 am and fares range from Rs.5 to Rs.25. The system uses 25 kV 50 Hz AC power supply and runs on 5 ft 6 in broad gauge track. It has interchange stations with the Kolkata Metro at various locations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birati</span> Neighbourhood in West Bengal, Eastern Zone, India

Birati is a neighbourhood in North Dumdum of North 24 Parganas district in the state of West Bengal, India. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). The area is close to the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Dum Dum</span> City in West Bengal, India

South Dum Dum is a city and a municipality in the Kolkata Metropolitan Area of North 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bandel</span> Place in West Bengal, India

Bandel is a city in the Hooghly district of the Indian state of West Bengal. It was founded by Portuguese settlers and falls under the jurisdiction of Chandernagore Police Commissionerate. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). Bandel is a major rail junction station of Eastern Railway zone, and is 38 km from Howrah railway station. Sir James Brooke, the first White Rajah of the Kingdom of Sarawak was born here in 1803.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Braithwaite, Burn & Jessop Construction Company</span> PSU of the Government of India

The Braithwaite Burn & Jessop Construction Company Limited is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) of the Government of India under Department of Heavy Industries. Established on 26 January 1935, BBJ Construction Company has been involved in the construction & repairing of Rail Bridges & Rail-cum-Road Bridges, Industrial structural works, Large building foundation, Civil engineering works, Refinery piping works, Railway gauge conversion etc. The company is registered and headquartered in Kolkata.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bidhannagar Road railway station</span> Railway station in West Bengal, India

Bidhannagar Road is a Kolkata Suburban Railway junction station on the Sealdah–Ranaghat line. Its code is BNXR. It is linked to the Sealdah South lines via Sir Gurudas Banerjee Halt railway station. It is located in Ultadanga, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It serves Ultadanga, Kankurgachi, Salt Lake and other surrounding areas in Kolkata.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dum Dum metro station</span> Kolkata Metros Blue Line metro station

Dum Dum is an elevated metro station on the North-South corridor of the Blue Line of Kolkata Metro in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. The metro station adjoins the platforms of the Dum Dum Junction railway station where connections can be made with Indian Railways services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Braithwaite & Co.</span> Indian public sector engineering company

Braithwaite & Co. Limited is an Indian public sector undertaking which is engaged in the manufacture of railway wagons, cranes and other engineering services. It is wholly owned by the Government of India and under the administrative control of the Ministry of Railways. Its headquarters are located at Kolkata, West Bengal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uniworld City</span> Housing complex in Kolkata, India

Uniworld City is a residential housing complex in New Town, Kolkata in the Indian state of West Bengal. The project is developed by Unitech Group, a real estate company in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hridaypur railway station</span> Railway station in West Bengal, India

Hridaypur is a Kolkata Suburban Railway station in Hridaypur. It serves the Barasat's areas of Dakbunglow, Rathtala, Purbachal, Shishirkunja, Udayrajpur and Chandigarh in the North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, India. It is under the jurisdiction of Eastern Railway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madhyamgram railway station</span> Railway station in West Bengal, India

Madhyamgram railway station is a Kolkata Suburban Railway station in the town of Madhyamgram. It serves the local areas of Madhyamgram, Badu and Sajirhat in the North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dum Dum Junction railway station</span> Railway Junction Station in West Bengal, India

Dum Dum Junction is a very important and busy junction station of the Kolkata Suburban Railway on the Sealdah–Ranaghat line. Its code is DDJ. Three lines branch out from Dum Dum in the north direction–the Kolkata Eastern line to Gede, the Calcutta chord line to Dankuni and the Sealdah–Hasnabad–Bangaon–Ranaghat line to Bangaon and Hasnabad. On the other hand, in the south direction, those three lines go towards Sealdah, while the Kolkata Circular Railway line arises from it towards Patipukur, and also ends to it through Bidhannagar Road after encircling the city of Kolkata through various important stations like Kolkata railway station and Majerhat. The Dum Dum metro station of the Blue line is adjacent to Dum Dum railway station. It serves Dum Dum, Paikpara, Sinthee, Cossipore, Baranagar and other surrounding areas in Kolkata.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Netaji Subhas Road, Kolkata</span> Road in Kolkata, India

Netaji Subhas Road, previously known as Clive Street, is an important thoroughfare in Central Kolkata that runs predominantly north to south in the B. B. D. Bagh neighborhood of Kolkata.

Public Sector Undertakings (PSU) in India are government-owned entities in which at least 51% of stake is under the ownership of the Government of India or state governments.These type of firms can also be a joint venture of multiple PSUs. These entities perform commercial functions on behalf of the government. Depending on the level of government ownership, PSUs are officially classified into two categories: Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs), owned by the central government or other CPSUs; and State Public Sector Undertakings (SPSUs), owned by state governments. CPSU and SPSU is further classified into Strategic Sector and Non-Strategic Sector. Depending on their financial performance and progress, CPSUs are granted the status of Maharatna, Navaratna, and Miniratna.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kolkata Metro Line 6</span> Transit line in Kolkata, India

Kolkata Metro Line 6 or the Orange Line of the Kolkata Metro, in the Indian state of West Bengal, is a rapid transit line that will connect New Garia with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport via two satellite towns Salt Lake and New Town. It currently operates between Kavi Subhash and Hemanta Mukhopadhyay. This stretch will be one of the most important stretches of the metro because it will connect the southern and the eastern parts of the city with Kolkata Airport. The total distance of this route will be 29.87 km (18.56 mi).

Sahaganj is a locality in Bansberia Municipality of Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Statue of Subhas Chandra Bose</span> Statue in India Gate, New Delhi

Statue of Subhas Chandra Bose, also known as the Netaji's Statue, is a monolithic statue made of black granite, dedicated to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Indian freedom fighter and Commander-in-Chief of Indian National Army. The statue 28 feet (8.5 m) in total height, including a 8 feet (2.4 m) in total width. It is placed under the canopy behind India Gate in Delhi. The statue was sculpted by Mysuru-based sculptor Arun Yogiraj, whose other prominent works include the Statue of Adi Shankaracharya in Kedarnath. Prominent attendees at the dedication ceremony in 2022 included Prime Minister Narendra Modi, members of his cabinet, MP Hardeep Singh Puri, G. Kishan Reddy and Arjun Ram Meghwal.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Jessop & Co Ltd". www.jessop.co.in. Archived from the original on 6 December 2011. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  2. ↑ "Ruia Group : About Group Companies". www.ruiagroup.co.in. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  3. ↑ "Jessop and Co, one of India's oldest companies, faces closure". 2 November 2013. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  4. 1 2 Bhattacherje, S. B. (1 May 2009). Encyclopaedia of Indian Events & Dates. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. ISBN   978-81-207-4074-7. Archived from the original on 30 May 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 "[IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: Production Units and Workshops". www.irfca.org. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Jessop & Co Ltd". www.jessop.co.in. Archived from the original on 1 December 2011. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  7. ↑ Public Enterprises Survey. 30 May 1994. Archived from the original on 30 May 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 JESSOP: Rebuilding History Archived 5 June 2014 at the Wayback Machine India Today, 15 October 2009.
  9. 1 2 "How Ruia turned Jessop around". www.rediff.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  10. ↑ Limca Book of Records. Bisleri Beverages Limited. 1990. Archived from the original on 30 May 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Jessop Business Description". www.workmob.com. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012.
  12. ↑ Public Enterprises Survey. Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Bureau of Public Enterprises. 1994. Archived from the original on 30 May 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  13. ↑ Kolkata, BS Law Correspondent in. "HC clears Jessop sale to Ruia Cotex". Rediff. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2024.{{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  14. ↑ The Times of India directory and year book including who's who by INFA Publications, 2004 - History
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.