The 140-year-old Vision of Shapoorji Pallonji

Their signature tune is - creativity, quality and reliability – which form the three corner stones of any architectural venture. Pioneers in indigenous construction business, they have maintained their brand equity for over a century now. From palaces, sprawling factories, military camps, Atomic Energy plants, stadia and auditoria, Five Star hotels to skyscrapers for residential as well as corporate purposes – they have made a style statement with each of their projects. Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Limited is now all set to scale newer heights by raising the tallest building in Mumbai. Deepa Karmalkar traces SPCL’s progress route.

Introduction

Be it the 5-star deluxe Hotel Taj Intercontinental in Mumbai or the Indira Gandhi Airport in New Delhi. The Telco Industrial Complex in Pune or even the prestigious Palace Complex of His Majesty the Sultan of Oman, Shapoorji Pallonji & Co. Ltd. has proved their architectural proficiency repeatedly. They have met their deadlines with reverence and lent grace to every structure they have raised. Not surprising then if theirs is a name synonymous with prestige and trust.

History of a vision

Shapoorji Pallonji & Co. Ltd. is the manifestation of one man and the vision that he had. His name was Shapoorji Pallonji Mistry. He formed the company that started humbly but rapidly rose to the top by identifying business potential and making the most of it. SPCL established in 1865 is India’s oldest construction company, with an enviable annual turnover in a remarkable career, spanning over seven decades; SPCL built almost every modern structure that dots the Indian skyline. They are the pioneers of indigenous construction activity. They have helped the Indian construction business to find it’s own foothold thereby it independent of foreign assistance. The list of projects executed by SPCL is virtually awe-inspiring – from palaces to government buildings, from atomic energy plants to sprawling factories, from scientific and research establishments to sports stadia, from hotels to homes – their portfolio is simply staggering.

Here and now

Today, Shapoorji Pallonji Mistry’s son, Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry heads the company. He has not only made the most of his father’s enterprise but also consolidated the company position further by infusing modern thought. Under his captainship, the company has spread its wings further and gained momentum. He has achieved this success by bringing together modern management skills with state-of-the-art technology. Every day witnesses a skyward growth of the company alongside their building ventures. Landmark structures like Hotel Oberoi Tower in Mumbai, and the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi are a couple of projects that were built under Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry stewardship. Clearly, these have re-enforced the company’s reputation as a technologically advanced construction company. 

Pattern of growth

The seventies witnessed a boom in construction activity in the Middle Eastern countries. Cities, expressways, Palaces, airports were being built round the clock. Global tenders were issued and there was a stiff competition to bag these contracts. In such a highly competitive milieu, Shapoorji Pallonji & Co. Ltd. held it’s own. SPCL won the contract for constructing the Palace of His Majesty, the Sultan of Oman.

This was the first time that an Indian construction company had ventured into the Middle East. Since this was a prestigious project, a high degree of perfection was required. The credibility of the company was hinged on the successful completion of this project. It was to be a precedent for the entire Indian construction industry. SPCL put in their best and erected a magnificent palace in the midst of the desert. Today, His Majesty, The Sultan of Oman takes great pride in making it his official residence.

Since then Shapoorji Pallonji & Co. Ltd. has provided technical and managerial consultancy to a various clients ranging from monarchs to industrialists in the Middle Eastern countries.

Time and again, steering through the course of history, SPCL has not merely built structures but erected landmarks e.g. Taj Intercontinental Hotel, Hotel Oberoi Towers, World Trade Center, Hongkong Bank and NCPA to mention a few. Acknowledged as pioneers, with the strongest ethics in civil construction, SPGL has reached beyond the possible and developed above the ordinary.

To further "structure" its glorious and prestigious position, the company has put to use various enhancement practices. The company has worked towards excellence and is all geared to set high standards, for excellence beyond par and customer satisfaction.

For well over 130 years, Shapoorji Pallonji & Co. Ltd. has been in the construction business. Earning a reputation for quality construction. The company’s Property Development business is supported by a powerful, in-house marketing research and technology back up. Global standards being it’s main objective SPCL is constantly innovating its products, processes and application areas. Today, the company’s operations are spread throughout India, with several offices, and a work force of about 1,500 strong from all over world.

As part of its expertise, SPCL has acquired rich experience in construction. Palaces, Township, Hotels, Commercial Complexes, Industrial Complexes, Infrastructure Projects and Residential Towers, all combine to suffuse their portfolio with architectural grandeur, state of the art technology and aesthetic detail.

Technological expertise

To provide the finest buildings, it is important to invest in the latest technologies. Use of special equipments like tower cranes, concrete pumps, mechanical hoists for personnel and materials reduce construction time and achieve high quality. The Company has entered into a technical collaboration with Crendon Concrete Overseas Ltd., of U.K. As per the agreement, Crendon Concrete Overseas Ltd. is to provide the latest technology in large-scale precast concrete construction, which in turn implies greater saving on time and money. Further, the Company also set up a special division called SPACE to undertake mechanical erection and piping contracts for large petrochemical complexes and industrial undertakings.

Genesis of trading unit

Since construction, activity entails a continuous supply of various quality products (tiles, roofs, sinks, etc.) SPCL felt the need to produce these in-house. That would not only reduce the initial expense but also ensure a stringent quality control. That is how the Trading Division of SPCL came into being. It takes care of the indenting and supplying of Indian and foreign products for the building industry throughout India.

The Trading Division of Shapoorji Pallonji & Co. Ltd. is now over 50 years old. It represents many prestigious companies and has established its reputation for top quality products and services made available at competitive prices. This division has an excellent rapport with various manufactures, owing to which they can inspect materials, if required, at the factories. This guarantees immense saving of time and cost to various clients. Further, this Division also has a large number of sub-dealers and a network of buyers through whom it regularly distributes various building materials.

SPCL offers engineering, construction services in the following areas: 

Current affairs

SPCL truly rules the real estate industry with its prestigious residential projects in Mumbai. Projects like Windmere, Sterling Apartments, NCPA (Apsara) Apartments, and Sterling Heritage are the most sought after addresses today and are regarded as the ultimate statement in luxurious living.

Currently, the company offers two residential projects in Mumbai. Crescent Heights on Forjett Street and Sterling Sea Face at Worli. Both the projects have exquisitely planned three bedroom apartments in addition to options for duplexes and penthouses. In addition to the impeccable construction quality, the breathtaking panoramic sea view from Sterling Sea Face and the spectacular view of Marine Drive and the bay from Crescent Heights add to the value of these projects.

SPCL is now set to scale new heights with a landmark residential project proposed in south Mumbai. The upcoming 60-storeyed building will be the tallest building in India. Another first to the credit of SPCL!

Quality Policy By C. P. Mistry – Director (S.P.C.L)

We are committed to meet the expectations of our customers, through our well design and established service delivery system that is sensitive and accommodative to continuous technology up gradation and value analysis.

To achieve this goal , our impetus will be towards the following:

* Optimal utilization of men, machine, finance and resources
* Provision of safe working environment
* Planning systems for effective implementation
* Strong organizational support through human resource development
* Development of reliable vendors for a higher degree of quality assurance adherence to project completion schedules.

Projects of Pride

SPCL has been authenticated by the BVQI ISO 9001:2000 quality certification. It is amongst the top four Indian construction companies, a feat achieved through the implementation of the latest technologies and engineering techniques. Use of computers, modern management skills and latest business processes has ensured that the company has the flexibility and adaptability required in today’s business scenario.