GOODRICKE GROUP LTD.

Established in 1977, Goodricke Group Ltd. (GGL), a subsidiary of the UK-based Duncan Lawrie Group, was formed to acquire the Indian operations and assets of eight Sterling Tea companies, which included seventeen tea estates. The Duncan Lawrie Group holds a majority stake in GGL through its group entities: Assam-Dooars Investment with 48.10% ownership and Western-Dooars Investment with 25.90% ownership. GGL's main focus is on tea cultivation and manufacturing. It manages 18 tea estates across West Bengal and Assam, selling bulk tea domestically and internationally. The company also produces Instant Tea at its West Bengal plant primarily for international markets and has a significant presence in the domestic Packet Tea market with various brands. GGL expanded its plantation area, particularly in Darjeeling District, in 1984 through acquisitions such as Castleton Tea Estate and Margarets' Hope Tea Estate via its subsidiary 'Tiru Tea'. Together with the UK-based Lawrie group, GGL acquired a 45% stake in Nepal's Soaltee group, which produces two lac kg pa of tea. Additionally, it received an offer from Himalaya Tea Garden and Farming Pvt Ltd, Nepal, for a joint venture to aid in expansion and modernization. GGL faced challenges during 1999-2000 due to the introduction of Certification Trade Mark (CTM) affecting exports and lower shipments of instant tea to the US and other markets. In 2001-02, it launched 'Goodricke Gold' with positive initial feedback. The company continued to innovate, upgrading tea factories, launching new brands like 'Goodricke Khaass' in 2013, and expanding operations with a central packaging unit in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh. It also converted three Darjeeling gardens to organic. In 2018, a new Bought leaf factory was commissioned at Danguajhar Tea Garden. The acquisition of Godfrey Phillips' tea business occurred in October 2017. Subsequent expansions include the opening of a new Bought Leaf factory (Jogopur) in 2019 and the acquisition of Harchurah Tea Estate in Assam from McLeod Russel India Limited. GGL expanded its retail presence with outlets like 'The Tea Room' in Kolkata and 'Queen's Deck' in Mumbai in 2019-20, followed by 'Tea By The Lake' in 2020 and a Tea Outlet in Gangtok in 2022.