Company History - BPL

1963

- The Company was incorporated as a private limited company and was

promoted by TPG Nambiar. It was promoted in technical and financial
collaboration with BPL Instruments Ltd., U.K. The Company
manufacture
electronic test and measuring instruments and electro medical
instruments, electro cardio graft patient monitoring systems, colour
&
Black & White TV receivers, video cassette recorders, plain paper
copiers etc.

1979

- Permission was obtained for manufacture of plain paper copiers in

technical collaboration with Gestaner UK. Later improved
state-of-the
art plain paper copiers were introduced in technical collaboration
with
Sanyo, Japan.

1982

- The Company diversified into consumer electronics field, colour

television receivers, black & white TV receivers, video cassette
recorders etc. The products are marketed under the brand name
`BPL'.

1994

- 176,00,000 No. of equity shares held by promoters. During March

1994, the Company offered 82,00,000 No. of equity shares of Rs 10
each
for cash at a prem. of Rs 105 per share as follows: (i) on firms
allotment basis: 75,000 shares to promoters, directors, friends
etc.;
(ii) 10,00,000 shares to UTI/ICICI/SCICI. Another 2,00,000 shares
issued in preferential allotment basis to employees. (Only 1,97,600
shares taken up). Balance 69,25,000 shares along with 2,400 shares
not
taken up by employees issued to public. In addition 9,00,000 shares
were issued at a premium of Rs 155 per share to FIIs on firm
allotment
basis.

1995

- The Company has embarked on the export oriented project for

manufacture of Alkaline Batteries.

- The Company undertook the modernisation-cum-Expansion Project at

its
TV manufacturing facilities at Hoskote and Arakera and PCB
manufacturing facility at Doddaballapur. It has its capacity to
manufacture 4 lakh nos. of CTVs. It was proposed to introduce TVs
with
additional superior features as per requirement and customer
preferences.

- Machineries were to be procured from Asia Matsushita Electronic

(C)
Pvt, Ltd., Singapore, Dainippa Screen Singapore Pvt Ltd., Lam Thong
Pannel & Silk Screen Supplier Pvt. Ltd. Singapore etc.

- 10,00,000 No. of equity shares of Rs 10 each at a premium of Rs

120
per share allotted to warrantholders, Rs 30 per shares called up
(F.V.
called up Rs 2.50, premium called up Rs 27.50.).

1996

- The Company has embarked on the export-oriented project for

manufacture of eco-friendly Alkaline Batteries. A state-of-the-art
fully automated production facility is being set up at a new
location
in Dobaspet, Tumkur District, Karnataka.

1997

- BPL Automatics Ltd. and UPTRON Colour Picture Tubes Ltd. are the
subsidiary companies of the company.

- The Company launched Alkaline batteries in Indian market in

August.
The Batteries are sold in Japan under the brand names SANYO and FUJI
FILM.

- BPL has struck a deal with Hindustan Lever (HLL) by offering four
kilos of International Surf Excel free with the purchase of a top
loading BPL washing machine.

- The Karnataka government accorded approval to BPL Ltd to start a

manganese dioxide battery unit, in collaboration with an Indonesian
firm, at Somanahalli in Mandya district.

- BPL India Ltd has been awarded the first prize for growth in
exports
in the consumer electronics category for 1995-96.

- The company has entered into a 50:50 joint venture with PT

International Chemical Industries Co Ltd of Indonesia to form BPL
PTI
Chemical Industries Ltd based in Bangalore.

- The electronic consumer major BPL Ltd has entered into an alliance
with Korean Heavy Industries & Construction Ltd for its power
project
at Ramagundam in Andhra Pradesh.

- BPL Connect has launched a cross-border paging service called

`Connect Overseas', connecting UAE with Kerala. The company has
launched the new value-added service in association with Motorola
and
the UAE based Memo Express and Global Net.

1998

- Earlier, in October 1994, BPL and the Andhra Pradesh State

Electricity Board signed a PPA, which has been revised. The date of
commissioning of the project has been set for July 2000.

- The Company launched new cooking range incorporating Italian

technology, the company also introduced two new models of
ultra-sound
scanners embodying the latest technology and three new models of
electrocardiographs with advanced technology.

- BPL Ltd is entering into a manufacturing and marketing alliance

with
an undisclosed colour TV maker based in Europe, to avail of the
advantage of 14 per cent tax concession on exports to the European
Union countries.

- BPL Mobile has introduced three new models with hands free kits in
the Mobile on the Spot Package. The three models include Motorola
Amio
A 180, Siemens S6 Power and Philips Twist, the latest models in the
industry.

- BPL Mobile has introduced the mobile long distance (MLD) facility,
by
which a subscriber can call over 40 destinations in Tamil Nadu at
the
rate lower than department of telecommunications (DoT) charges.

- BPL Ltd, launched its latest range of products, in Hyderabad. The

technology for these products was developed through BPL's tie-ups
with
global industry leaders. BPL Mobile has launched a range of
pre-paid
SIM cards.

- BPL Mobile has introduced the automatic roaming (auto roam)

service
in Tamil Nadu.

- BPL Automation Ltd. one of the subsidiaries of the company became

a
wholly owned subsidiary of the company on 21st July.

- 50,00,000 redeemable pref. shares of Rs 100 each issued. 1,00,000

No. of equity shares of Rs 10 each (prem. of Rs 130 per shares)
issued
on conversion of warrants.

1999

- BPL Mobile is introducing the mobile on the spot prepaid card with
an
over the air customisation facility in Tamil Nadu.

- Consumer electronics major BPL and Microsoft, Corporation India

Pvt
Ltd have formed a joint strategic initiative to provide interactive
voice response, computer telephony and call centre applications.

- BPL, the consumer electronics and telecom major, has entered into
a
memorandum of understanding (MoU) with RITES, a public sector
company
under the ministry of railways, to form a joint venture company to
build a broad band telecom network under the liberalised telecom
policy.

- Bajaj Auto Finance has entered into a tie-up with BPL to finance
the
later's white goods and their customer durables.

2000

- BPL announced the launch of bplnet.com, its internet business. It

will be offered under group company, BPL Innovision, the group's arm
that is into information technology and the internet business.

- BPL has launched Oyeindia.com, a youth portal which will provide a

platform for youth to converge, communicate, consult and connect.

- BPL has set up a think-tank comprising of senior officials of the

company, to look into strategic planning and provide a roadmap for
BPL's future journeys into a converging world.

- BPL is set to launch its front-loading, fully computerised washing

machine range by July.

- BPL Ltd., the holding company of BPL Group, is set to launch BPL
Digital, a new premium colour television brand, hearalding the
convergence of internet and cellular services with the entertainment
electronics industry.

- BPL Ltd. will tie up with either Bang & Olufsen of Denmark or
Loewe
of Germany, leading European designer CTV lables, to roll out BPL
Digital in 29, 32 and 34-inch screen sizes.

- BPL Mobile has launched `Mumbai on Mobile', an information service

that offers subscribers with the latest happenings in the city.

- BPL Mobile Roamfree, the first roaming service to be launched in

Kerala, will be available in Muscat, making it the seventh network
to
be launched.

- BPL Mobile, one of the two cellular phone service providers in

Tamil
Nadu has tied up with ICICI Bank to enable its subscribers to access
their ICICI Bank account through its `MobileInternet' service.

- BPL Innovision group had entered into an agreement with more than
300
cable TV operators of Thrissur to form a joint venture company.

- BPL has launched a high-end audio entertainment brand called

Pro-Fx
with the technology from Denon of Japan, world leaders in high-end
digital audio.

- BPL Ltd. has decided to rename one of its group companies, BPL
Sanyo
Technologies Ltd., as BST Ltd.

- BPL has tied up with Denon of Japan who are world leaders in
high-end
digital audito for PRO FX, an entertainment brand promoted by BPL.

- The Company has issued and allotted 4,000,000 Cumulative

Redeemable
Preference Shares of Rs. 100/- each, to certain Institutions/Bank on
a
private placement basis, consequent to which, the Preference Share
Capital of the Company has increased to Rs. 90 crores from Rs. 50
crore.

- bplnet.com, the Internet company of the Nambiars-promoted BPL

group,
launched its Internet access services in Delhi and said that it will
roll out its access services in four more cities in the first phase
of
expansion.

- BPL Ltd is investing over Rs 10 to promote and build its new

European
colour television brand Evelux.

- BPL Mobile has bagged the gold medal for corporate image at the
annual International Advertising Festival of Montreux, one of the
leading advertising festivals of Europe, held in Switzerland.

- The Company has informed that, BPL PTI Ltd. has become a
subsidiary
of the company effective from 16th August, consequent to the
transfer
of 2,00,00,000 No. of equity shares of Rs. 10 each.

- BPL Mobile launched India's first MobileInternet using General

Packet
Radio Service technology.

- BPL has introduced a high end audio entertainment brand, PRO FX.

- BPL Telecom Ltd, the networking and information technology arm of

BPL
Ltd, has deployed earth stations for digital video broadcast using
the
4:2:2 compression technique.

- BPL Telecom Ltd., the information technology and networking arm of

BPL Ltd., has commissioned 19 `C' category Internet nodes spread in
all
district headquarters in Andhra Pradesh in a record of 20 days.

2001

-Launches an `e' initiative with a view to convert itself into an

extended enterprise.

-Government’s announcement to award licences for the fourth cellular

operator,

- BPL Mobile has introduced MobileSelect, an innovative product for

the
premium user segment.

- BPL has entered into a lease arrangement with Konkan Railway

Corporation Ltd. for two pairs of optical fibre cables for the
proposed
backbone in the south-western region.

- BPL Ltd has allotted secured redeemable NCDs of Rs 1 crore have

been
allotted to various banks/financial institutions on private
placement
basis.

2001

- The BPL Group will merge to create the biggest cellular company in
the country before the end of the current calendar year. Sources
said
that leading accountancy and consultancy firm Arthur Andersen is
undertaking a valuation of all the cellular circles of BPL to
facilitate the big bang merger.

- BPL chairman and managing director Ajit G Nambiar said expansion

in
the global market through acquisition of manufacturing units and even
a
foreign brand will be its key strategy to beat the economic
recession.

- In a crucial move, BPL is planning to have a 50:50 joint venture

with
its technical collaborator Sanyo for its home appliances business.
The
-billion Japanese major will now become a management partner
--BPL-Batata combine plans IPO by year-end. The new entity, to be
formed following the merger of BPL and the Tatas-Birla-AT&T, is
likely
to go public by the year-end.They are contemplating an IPO by
Christmas, which may be a combination of domestic and international
offerings.

- BPL has tied up with Bangalore-based Forsee Multimedia and a New

Delhi-based company to develop touch screen kiosks

- The board of the BPL Ltd has cleared the organisation wide
restructuring, which includes divestment from group companies'
equity,
financial reengineering and rightsizing the organisation.

- BPL Communications has finally pulled out of the consortium

comprising Sterling Infotech, Tycom and Century Tel bidding for VSNL
divestment.

2002

-Seeked help of Ambit Finance Ltd as its exclusive strategic and

financial adviser for its restructuring

-BPL home appliances division has launched innovative Direct Cool

Fridges catering to the mass market DC segment with the lauch of its
new models.

-BPL released its new pretty roaming products in the market.

-BPL Telecom and Ericsson has joined hands together to distribute its
range of enterprise products in India.

- BPL-Sanyo's proposed 50:50 tie up in the home appliances business

seems to be uncertain with Sanyo's expecting control stake in the
tie up

- Deepak Varma has been made the president and chief executive
officer (CEO) of BPL Mobile communications' Mumbai operations.

-The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a special leave petition (SLP)

filed by the Mauritius-based CDC Financial Services one of the
investors in BPL Communications.

-Telecom software company Subex Systems Ltd has entered a contract

with BPL Mobile to deploy its fraud management system, Ranger.

-BPL Ltd has launched CARDIART 6208 multi channel thermal array
recorder, Nebulisers that cater to asthmatic patients at clinics,
hospitals and especially for home use.

-BPL Ltd has developed a new sub-branding and market segmentation

strategy.

-BPL Mobile has tied up with Indiatimes, the Times of India group.

-Launches its mega consumer promotion to leverage the expected World

Cup Football sales upswing. The promotion branded 'BPL Colours of
Brazil Shootout, is aimed at creating excitement around BPL Colour
Televisions, encashing on the World Cup Football fever.

-BPL Mobile has launched new services with Music Call, Movie Call and
miNews.

-BPL Mobile and ICICI Bank have engaged and tied up to enable to
recharge of BPL's prepaid cellular service ability (branded `mots')
at any of the bank's 1000 plus ATMs across the nation.

-BPL Mobile has launched,‘Follow Me’ service that enables all

pre-paid users partial roaming facilities.

-The BPL has made sales of 3.38 lakh units of colour televisions in
the first four months of calendar 2002.

-Mr. Viswanath Nambiar has been co-opted as an Additional Director

-The BPL Mobile and Citibank have joined hands to launch real-time
mobile commerce application - electronic recharges for BPL Mobile
Mots (pre-paid) subscribers.

-Bharti Cellular launched its low-tariff Airtel mobile services in

the city, the rivals BPL Mobile and Orange had to cut their rates

- Idea Cellular has tied up with Hutch and BPL which will offer
reduced roaming airtime rates.

- BPL Mobile and Navinmail jointly introduced two new products using
the voice messaging platform-miVoice and MAPS (mobile answer phone
service)-on 'Mots', the pre-paid card service of BPL Mobile.

-BPL Mobile has launched the latest mobile messaging technology,

multimedia messaging service (MMS) in Mumbai.

-Introduces Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) in Mumbai city

- BPL Mobile has launched new airtime rates for its pre-paid service
both for Mots and Mots Roamfree.

-Mr. V A Raghu appointed as nominee Director w.e.f. September 30,

2002.

- BPL Mobile and TeliVoice, a Sabeer Bhatia promoted company, have

globally introduced the Mobile Answer Phone Services (MAPS) for MOTS
(mobile on the spot) subscribers of BPL.

-Proposed merger of Idea Cellular with BPL Mobile falls through

2003

-The properties of the BPL group promoters TPG Nambiar and his son
Ajit Nambiar have been attached through a conditional interim order
passed by the city civil judge, Bangalore

-Mr M Sasi has been appointed as Director (Finance & Corporate

Planning) of the company (without any remuneration) for a period of
two years, with immediate effect.

-Unveiled laptops under the BPL brand and is likely to grow by 50 per
cent this year.
-Unit Trust of India, has informed them of the sale of 5,87,220
shares of BPL Ltd. in the secondary market (aggregate sale from
February 03, 2003 to September 16, 2003) and hence the current total
holding is 7.69% of the paid up capital of the company carrying
voting rights.

-Mr. Sundararaman appointed as head-operations of its automation

division

-BPL has launched its range of color TV - i-Sort.

-BPL and Voltas - have bagged the OEM deals from the .72 billion
Chinese consumer appliance major - Haier.

2004

-For starters, the company's old-timer and CEO KS Jayanth Kumar has
stepped down from full time service effective December 31, 2003.

ICICI Bank Limited has withdrawn the nomination of Mr. P H Ravikumar

from the Board of the Company and has nominated Mr. M Sudhendranath,
in his place. b) Mr. K S Jayanth Kumar has resigned as the Director &
Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

BPL Limited has bagged the original equipment manufacturing deals

from the Chinese white goods maker, Haier.

-BPL tie up with Sanyo expires

2005

-Delist equity share from the Delhi Stock Exchange Association Ltd
(DSE) w.e.f. March 31, 2005.

-BPL, along with its associates, enters into MOU with Eveready
Industries

-BPL ties up with Sanyo for CTV venture