In 1999, Shri Dhirubhai Ambani commissioned Reliance Jamnagar, the world’s largest greenfield grassroots refinery. Shri Mukesh Ambani led the team, and the refinery was operational in just 36 months. Reliance Jamnagar was a fully integrated unit, with a power-generation complex, a terminal complex, a port, and an entire township.
Image Courtesy: Reliance Industries Limited.
In 1978, Vimal was rebranded as Only Vimal, and through an innovative advertising campaign, it was marketed as a premium fabric brand for the youth. In 1979, Shri Dhirubhai Ambani organized the first Vimal fashion show. Vimal became the one-stop destination for the average Indian family's textile purchases: shirting, suiting, saris, dress materials, and furnishing fabrics.
Image courtesy: Reliance Industries Limited.
The 1992 Reliance twin issues drew an overwhelming response. Long queues of investors could be seen waiting outside distribution centers and banks in Bombay.
Image Courtesy: Reliance Industries Limited.
From his days in Aden, Shri Dhirubhai Ambani nurtured a dream to establish a refinery. In 1988, Shri Dhirubhai Ambani initiated efforts to establish a petrochemical complex at Hazira, near Surat. In 1991, the first phase of the Reliance Hazira project was commissioned to manufacture a wide range of polymers, polyesters, and petrochemicals.
Image Courtesy: Reliance Industries Limited.
Reliance shares were traded in the market as 'Dhirubhai'. Nobody was too small to invest in Reliance. Shri Dhirubhai Ambani would ask their domestic servants to buy Reliance shares for which he would lend them Rs 5,000 each and invest it in Reliance on their behalf. Eventually, he convinced close to 4 million Indians to invest their hard-earned money in Reliance. Here is a Reliance share priced at Rs. 10 in 1992.
Image Courtesy: Reliance Industries Limited.
Although profitable, the spice business was not enough for Shri Dhirubhai Ambani. Ever restless to find more growth opportunities, he shifted to yarn trading. This was a risky business, but there were also margins to be made. Shri Dhirubhai Ambani started buying and selling different types of yarn, first in small quantities, then in ever-increasing volumes.
Image Courtesy: Reliance Industries Limited
In February 1958, Shri Dhirubhai Ambani started Reliance Commercial Corporation in partnership with Shri Trambhakbhai Damani. When asked why he chose to name his company Reliance, Shri Dhirubhai Ambani said, 'I saw it written somewhere and it stayed in my mind.'
Image Courtesy: Reliance Industries Limited
