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Founded in 1910 as the Imperial Tobacco Company of India, ITC has grown from a single-commodity business into a multi-industry powerhouse. Today, the group spans areas like consumer goods, paper, hotels, and agribusiness, shaping its legacy through strategic diversification and a strong focus on sustainability.
ITC was established in 1910 with a primary focus on tobacco imported from the UK. During the colonial era, it quickly became a leading player in Indian tobacco and cigarette markets, driven by early market dominance and operational scale
Following India's independence in 1947, ITC began broadening its reach beyond tobacco. It entered the hospitality industry in 1975 with the launch of the WelcomHotel in Chennai, thereby marking its foray into serviced hotels.
In the 1990s, ITC started targeting consumer markets. Major brand rollouts followed in the 2000s, including:
Aashirvaad: Staples such as atta and spices
Sunfeast: Biscuits and snacks
Yippee!: Instant noodles
These brands helped the group shift its focus from tobacco to everyday consumer goods.
The early 2000s saw further diversification:
Paperboards & Packaging: ITC became a leading player in packaging solutions.
Agri Business: The group launched initiatives like e-Choupal to support rural farming through digital connectivity, strengthening its role in agritech and farmer welfare.
ITC also ventured into financial services—offering insurance, wealth management, and digital solutions—leveraging its consumer presence into broader service offerings.
Under the WelcomHotel and ITC Hotels brands, ITC has earned acclaim for its premium offerings across India. Sustainability features prominently, with many hotels designed as green buildings built to LEED Platinum standards.
ITC is globally recognised for environmental stewardship:
Rural Livelihoods: Through farmer empowerment and community development
Green Supply Chains: Including sustainable packaging and renewable energy in operations
These initiatives position ITC as a leader in corporate sustainability.
ITC Limited, one of India’s leading conglomerates, operates through diverse subsidiaries across sectors such as FMCG, hospitality, paperboards, agri-business, and IT. Key subsidiaries include:
ITC Infotech India Ltd. – Focuses on IT services and digital solutions for global clients.
WelcomHotels Lanka Pvt. Ltd. – Handles hospitality projects in Sri Lanka.
Srinivasa Resorts Ltd. – Manages luxury hotel and resort operations.
ITC Mauritius – Oversees international investments and strategic operations.
Russell Credit Ltd. – Engaged in finance and investment services for group activities.
These subsidiaries enable ITC to maintain a strong presence across multiple industries, contributing to its diversified growth strategy.
The following are some of the key milestones of ITC over the years:
1910 – Founded as the Imperial Tobacco Company of India Limited in Kolkata.
1925 – Set up its first cigarette manufacturing plant in Bangalore.
1946 – Established Indian Leaf Tobacco Development Company Ltd to source quality tobacco domestically.
1953 – Built its first printing and packaging unit in Madras (now Chennai).
1970 – The company’s name was changed to India Tobacco Company Limited.
1974 – Name changed again to I.T.C. Limited to reflect diversification beyond tobacco.
1975 – Entered the hospitality sector with the launch of ITC Welcomgroup Hotels.
1979 – Established ITC Bhadrachalam Paperboards Ltd, marking its entry into the paper and packaging business.
1985 – Forayed into the agri-business segment.
1990 – Ventured into the IT sector with the launch of ITC Infotech.
2000 – Name officially shortened to ITC Limited, dropping all punctuation, to signal a diversified conglomerate identity.
2001 onwards – Expanded into FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) including foods, personal care, and lifestyle products with brands like Aashirvaad, Sunfeast, Bingo, Fiama, and Savlon.
2020 – Marked 110 years of operations and sustained leadership in multiple sectors.
2023 – Announced plans for demerger of its hotels business, to further unlock value for shareholders.
Over the past century, ITC has evolved from a colonial-era tobacco company into a diversified conglomerate across FMCG, hospitality, agribusiness, and digital services. Its sustained focus on sustainability, rural engagement, and brand development positions it as a unique model in Indian business history. Whether you’re an investor or industry observer, ITC’s growth journey offers valuable lessons in resilience, strategy, and innovation.
This content is for informational purposes only and the same should not be construed as investment advice. Bajaj Finserv Direct Limited shall not be liable or responsible for any investment decision that you may take based on this content.
Yes, ITC remains a major player in the tobacco industry, which is a key part of its business. However, the company has increasingly diversified its revenue streams across other sectors like FMCG, hospitality, and agribusiness. This diversification has helped ITC reduce its dependence on tobacco over time.
ITC's prominent FMCG brands include Aashirvaad (flour and spices), Sunfeast (biscuits), and Yippee! (instant noodles), which are household names in India. These products have earned widespread consumer loyalty and contribute significantly to ITC's revenue. The company's FMCG portfolio continues to expand with innovations in multiple categories.
ITC supports farmers through its e-Choupal initiative, a digital platform that connects rural farming communities with the market. This platform empowers farmers by providing them access to information, better pricing, and quality inputs. Through e-Choupal, ITC has helped improve the livelihoods of millions of farmers.
Yes, many ITC hotels are eco-friendly, adhering to stringent sustainability standards. Several of these hotels are certified with LEED Platinum ratings, which signifies their commitment to energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction. ITC's efforts towards sustainability have made their hospitality business a leader in eco-friendly practices.
Yes, ITC is well-known for its consistent dividend payouts, which reflect its strong and stable cash flows. The company’s diversified business model ensures that it can continue to reward its shareholders regularly. ITC's reliable dividend policy has made it a popular choice for income-seeking investors.
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