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India meets Britain Tracking the UK’s top Indian companies

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India meets Britain:Tracking the UK’s top Indian companies

Indian companies are succeeding in the UK and contributing to overall economic prosperity. Our Tracker monitors UK businesses with ultimate Indian parent companies to identify the fastest-growing companies by turnover, as well as the top Indian employers. It provides a unique insight into the scale, business activities, locations and performance of Indian-owned companies making the biggest impact in the UK.

1India meets Britain

Rank Indian parent company UK subsidiaries (ultimate domestic owner and its subsidiaries) Growth

1 Bharat Forge Ltd Bharat Forge International Ltd 465.2%

2 TVS Srichakra Ltd TVS Europe Distribution Ltd; Universal Components UK Ltd 248.5%

3 Crompton Greaves Ltd CG Automation Systems UK Ltd; CG Power Solutions UK Ltd 118.5%

4 Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd Accord Healthcare Ltd; Astron Research Ltd 108.4%

5 Dion Global Solutions Ltd Indigo (London) Holdings Ltd; Dion Global Solutions (UK) Ltd 99.0%

6 Tata Consultancy Services Ltd Diligenta Ltd; Diligenta 2 Ltd 94.5%

7 WPIL Ltd Mathers Foundry Ltd 89.0%

8 India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd State Bank of India 67.0%

9 Cox & Kings Ltd Prometheon Entreprise Ltd; Clearmine Ltd; Cox & Kings (UK) Ltd; Quoprro Global Ltd 65.1%

10 T.V. Sundram Iyengar & Sons Ltd Rico Logistics Ltd; TVS Logistics Investment UK Ltd; TVS Supply Chain Solutions Ltd 62.0%

11 Tata Communications Ltd Tata Communications (UK) Ltd 50.4%

12 Universal Ferro & Allied Chemicals Ltd Uni-tritech Ltd; Tritech Group Ltd; Tritech Precision Products (Barnstaple) Ltd; Tritech Precision Products Ltd

50.0%

13 Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd Glenmark Generics (Europe) Ltd 49.4%

14 Punjab National Bank Punjab National Bank (International) Ltd 47.2%

15 Firstsource Solutions Ltd Firstsource Solutions UK Ltd 43.9%

16 Secure Meters Ltd Secure Meters (UK) Ltd; Advanced Energy Monitoring Systems Ltd; Secure Controls (UK) Ltd 39.7%

17 Saksoft Ltd Acuma Solutions Ltd; Saksoft Investments PVT Ltd 31.1%

18 Essar Family Essar Energy PLC 30.0%

19 Enzen Global Solutions Private Ltd Enzen Global Ltd 26.5%

20 Aurobindo Pharma Ltd Milpharm Ltd 26.2%

21 Associated Capsules PVT. Ltd ACG Europe Ltd 25.9%

22 Infosys Ltd Lodestone Management Consultants Ltd 25.0%

23 AIA engineering Ltd Vega Industries Ltd 24.5%

24 Punj Lloyd Ltd Simon Carves Engineering Ltd 21.6%

25 Vaibhav Gems Ltd The Jewellery Channel Ltd 21.1%

26 UPL Ltd United Phosphorus Ltd 20.9%

27 Suzlon Energy Ltd Repower UK Ltd; Suzlon Wind Energy Ltd 19.2%

28 Zylog Systems Ltd Zylog Systems (Europe) Ltd 18.5%

29 Niit Ltd Niit Ltd; Niit Insurance Technologies Ltd; Niit Technologies Ltd 18.3%

30 Tata Motors Ltd Tata Motors European Technical Centre PLC; Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC; Jaguar Land Rover Ltd; Incat International PLC

16.9%

31 Greatship (India) Ltd Greatship (UK) Ltd 16.9%

32 Marksans Pharma Ltd Marksans Pharma U.K. Ltd; Relonchem Ltd; Bell,Sons & Co.(Druggists) Ltd 15.8%

33 Mastek Ltd Mastek (UK) Ltd 15.8%

34 Shashi Kiran Shetty S.H.E. Maritime Services Ltd; Ecu-Line UK Ltd 14.6%

35 Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Ltd Britannia Brands Ltd; Associated Biscuits International Ltd; ABI Holdings Ltd 12.8%

36 Piramal Enterprises Ltd Piramal Healthcare UK Ltd 12.6%

37 Dynamatic Technologies Ltd Dynamatic Ltd 11.2%

38 Amtek Auto Ltd Amtek Aluminium Castings (Witham) Ltd; King Automotive Systems Ltd; Amtek Investments (UK) Ltd 11.0%

39 Elecon Engineering Company Ltd Radicon Transmission UK Ltd 10.8%

40 Khorakiwala Holdings and Investments Private Ltd C P Pharmaceuticals Ltd; Wockhardt UK Holdings Ltd; Wockhardt UK Ltd 10.7%

41 Atul Ltd Atul Europe Ltd; D.P.D. Ltd 10.7%

The UK’s top 41 fastest-growing Indian companies

2 India meets Britain

Diverse business

In terms of growth, however, the Tracker includes companies of all sizes. Only five of the fast growth India Tracker top 41 are large corporates (with more than £250 million turnover). The remainder are made up of 17 mid-size corporates (£25 million to £250 million turnover) and 19 SMEs (£5 million to £25 million turnover).

£19 billion combined turnover

*This number may include employees outside the UK in overseas subsidiaries of UK companies

19 SMEs(£5m to £25m

turnover)(£25m to £250m

turnover)

17 Mid-size corporates 5 Large

corporates

(over £250m turnover)

Indian companies in the UK

Long-term trends

Our Tracker shows that many Indian companies following the relatively well-trodden path to the UK are enjoying the fruits of their investment. The UK has, of course, long been a popular destination for Indian investment, dating back more than 100 years when Tata first established a UK presence.

India’s economic liberalisation of the early 1990s saw a wave of ‘me-too’ businesses turning their attention to the UK, spurred on by early successes in expanding overseas such as Sri Ram Industrial Enterprises (SIEL). Strong existing connections with the Indian business community in the UK have

also made it an attractive place to do business, although clearly there is strong competition from other parts of the world, notably from the US market.

Our new research suggests that the appetite and opportunities for successful UK investment by Indian companies remains as strong as ever and appears to be picking up from post-2008 global credit crisis slow-down levels, despite the economic difficulties both in the UK and, increasingly, in India itself. According to a recent report by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), India is the fifth largest investor in the UK.

Our India Tracker shows that Indian companies play an important role in the UK. There are over 700 Indian-owned businesses in the UK, employing more than 100,000 people*, according to our research. The top 41 fastest-growing Indian companies in the UK generate some £19 billion of turnover – although this figure is dominated by Tata Motors, which accounts for more than 80% of the total.


Key drivers

Investing in the UK gives Indian companies direct access to the UK market for their products and services, where traditionally they may have relied on distributors. Some look to the UK as a springboard into Europe as they seek to go global to de-risk their businesses and reduce reliance on a stuttering domestic market.

Still others have been attracted by the ability to acquire iconic UK brands, such as Typhoo, Jaguar Land Rover or fashion retailer East. Indian investors can gain access to leading edge technology, know-how and research, as evidenced for example by automotive giant Mahindra’s recent investment in a research and development centre in collaboration with Ricardo in the UK.

Growth dynamics

The top 41 fastest-growing companies identified by our Tracker achieved growth rates of more than 10%. 26 of these companies showed particularly impressive growth, in a tough UK economic climate, of more than 20%, far outstripping prevailing UK GDP growth.

The top five companies in the India Tracker more than doubled turnover, no doubt partly as a result of acquisitions. We estimate, however, that overall around 60% of the companies in the top 41 are the result of establishing and growing greenfield businesses rather than acquisition.

There are, in addition, many Indian companies with turnover of less than £5 million, and which therefore did not meet the India Tracker criteria, that have shown even more spectacular growth rates, particularly in the technology, telecoms and media sectors. Systems Plus Solutions, Bharti Airtel Ltd and Zafin Labs UK Ltd are just three examples of Indian businesses growing exceptionally fast but which do not fit our Tracker criteria.

The level of growth shown by the top 41 companies is all the more striking given the increasing difficulties in India’s own economy, dogged as it has been by low growth, economic policy stagnation, and persistently high inflation and interest rates. Along with a mounting fiscal deficit and problems in the banking sector this has severely depressed business confidence.

THE LEVEL OF GROWTH SHOWN BY THE TOP 41 COMPANIES IS ALL THE MORE STRIKING GIVEN

THE INCREASING DIFFICULTIES IN INDIA’S OWN ECONOMY, DOGGED AS IT HAS BEEN BY LOW GROWTH, ECONOMIC POLICY STAGNATION,

AND PERSISTENTLY HIGH INFLATION AND INTEREST RATES


Rank UK subsidiaries (ultimate domestic owner and its subsidiaries) Sectors Regions

1 Bharat Forge International Ltd Automotive South

2 TVS Europe Distribution Ltd; Universal Components UK Ltd Automotive North

3 CG Automation Systems UK Ltd; CG Power Solutions UK Ltd Technology and telecoms North

4 Accord Healthcare Ltd; Astron Research Ltd Pharmaceuticals and chemicals South

5 Indigo (London) Holdings Ltd; Dion Global Solutions (UK) Ltd Technology and telecoms Midlands

6 Diligenta Ltd; Diligenta 2 Ltd Technology and telecoms London

7 Mathers Foundry Ltd Engineering and manufacturing North

8 State Bank of India Financial services London

9 Prometheon Entreprise Ltd; Clearmine Ltd; Cox & Kings (UK) Ltd; Quoprro Global Ltd Hospitality London

10 Rico Logistics Ltd; TVS Logistics Investment UK Ltd; TVS Supply Chain Solutions Ltd Transport and logistics North

11 Tata Communications (UK) Ltd Technology and telecoms London

12 Uni-tritech Ltd; Tritech Group Ltd; Tritech Precision Products (Barnstaple) Ltd; Tritech Precision Products Ltd

Technology and telecoms North

13 Glenmark Generics (Europe) Ltd Pharmaceuticals and chemicals South

14 Punjab National Bank (International) Ltd Financial services London

15 Firstsource Solutions UK Ltd Technology and telecoms South

16 Secure Meters (UK) Ltd; Advanced Energy Monitoring Systems Ltd; Secure Controls (UK) Ltd Technology and telecoms South

17 Acuma Solutions Ltd; Saksoft Investments PVT Ltd Technology and telecoms North

18 Essar Energy PLC Energy London

19 Enzen Global Ltd Technology and telecoms Midlands

20 Milpharm Ltd Pharmaceuticals and chemicals South

21 ACG Europe Ltd Pharmaceuticals and chemicals London

22 Lodestone Management Consultants Ltd Technology and telecoms London

23 Vega Industries Ltd Engineering and manufacturing South

24 Simon Carves Engineering Ltd Engineering and manufacturing North

25 The Jewellery Channel Ltd Wholesale and retail trade South

26 United Phosphorus Ltd Pharmaceuticals and chemicals North

27 Repower UK Ltd; Suzlon Wind Energy Ltd Energy London

28 Zylog Systems (Europe) Ltd Technology and telecoms South

29 Niit Ltd; Niit Insurance Technologies Ltd; Niit Technologies Ltd Technology and telecoms London

30 Tata Motors European Technical Centre PLC; Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC; Jaguar Land Rover Ltd; Incat International PLC

Automotive Midlands

31 Greatship (UK) Ltd Transport and logistics South

32 Marksans Pharma U.K. Ltd; Relonchem Ltd; Bell,Sons & Co.(Druggists) Ltd Pharmaceuticals and chemicals London

33 Mastek (UK) Ltd Technology and telecoms South

34 S.H.E. Maritime Services Ltd; Ecu-Line UK Ltd Transport and logistics South

35 Britannia Brands Ltd; Associated Biscuits International Ltd; ABI Holdings Ltd Food and beverage London

36 Piramal Healthcare UK Ltd Pharmaceuticals and chemicals North

37 Dynamatic Ltd Engineering and manufacturing South

38 Amtek Aluminium Castings (Witham) Ltd; King Automotive Systems Ltd; Amtek Investments (UK) Ltd Automotive Midlands

39 Radicon Transmission UK Ltd Automotive North

40 C P Pharmaceuticals Ltd; Wockhardt UK Holdings Ltd; Wockhardt UK Ltd Pharmaceuticals and chemicals North

41 Atul Europe Ltd; D.P.D. Ltd Pharmaceuticals and chemicals North

The sector and regional footprint of the top 41 companies


Fast-growth sectors

Over half of the fastest-growing companies in our India Tracker top 41 are in the pharmaceuticals and chemicals (22%) and technology and telecoms (32%) sectors. These sectors have remained enduringly strong for outward-looking Indian enterprises attracted to UK know-how, technology and market positioning.

Indian companies also appear to regard the UK as a good base for engineering and manufacturing, with 10% of the top 41 operating in the industry. The automotive industry remains a significant contributor to growth, with 10% of the India Tracker companies operating in the sector. Unsurprisingly this is dominated by Tata Motors.

Food manufacturers such as Britannia Brands, also feature in the Tracker. Many such businesses, have been actively accessing technology and brands in this sector and successfully exporting this to the Indian market, as evidenced for example by India Hospitality Corporation’s acquisition of Adelie Foods in 2012.

Regional patterns

Contrary to what some may believe, London is not the overwhelming dominant location in which Indian companies choose to set up, according to our research. In fact, the India Tracker shows that the fastest-growing Indian companies in the UK are fairly evenly spread throughout the country, with just under 30% of the top 41 based in the capital.

The North of England has 29% of the total, the South 32%, and interestingly, just 10% are based in the Midlands, traditionally the heart of UK manufacturing. These patterns are encouraging signs that other UK regions have successfully established themselves as centres of expertise able to attract inward investment.

TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMS

PHARMACEUTICALS AND CHEMICALS

32%

22%

NORTH

29%

MIDLANDS

10%

LONDON

29%SOUTH

32%

CONTRARY TO WHAT SOME MAY BELIEVE, LONDON IS NOT THE OVERWHELMING DOMINANT LOCATION IN WHICH INDIAN

COMPANIES CHOOSE TO SET UP ... THE INDIA TRACKER SHOWS THAT THE FASTEST-GROWING INDIAN COMPANIES IN THE UK ARE

FAIRLY EVENLY SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY


each employ 1,000+ people in the UK*12 INDIAN COMPANIES

Top Indian employers in the UKRank Indian parent company UK subsidiaries (ultimate domestic owner and its subsidiaries) No. of employees

1 Tata Steel Ltd Tata Steel Europe Ltd; Tata Steel International (UK) Ltd 32,611

2 Tata Motors Ltd Tata Motors European Technical Centre PLC; Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC; Jaguar Land Rover Ltd; Incat International PLC

25,640

3 Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Ltd Britannia Brands Ltd; Associated Biscuits International Ltd; ABI Holdings Ltd 4,619

4 Essar Family Essar Energy PLC 3,951

5 Tata Consultancy Services Ltd Diligenta Ltd; Diligenta 2 Ltd 3,143

6 Firstsource Solutions Ltd Firstsource Solutions UK Ltd 3,090

7 Cox & Kings Ltd Prometheon Entreprise Ltd; Clearmine Ltd; Cox & Kings (UK) Ltd; Quoprro Global Ltd 3,081

8 HCL Technologies Ltd HCL BPO Services (NI) Ltd; HCL Insurance BPO Services Ltd; Axon Solutions Ltd; HCL Great Britain Ltd

2,971

9 India Hospitality Corporation Adelie Foods Group Ltd 2,726

10 Tops Security Ltd The Shield Guarding Company Ltd; Topsgrup Security UK Ltd 1,913

11 Tata Global Beverages Ltd Tata Global Beverages Group Ltd; Tata Global Beverages Capital Ltd 1,280

12 Tata Chemicals Ltd Homefield PVT UK Ltd; Brunner Mond Ltd; General Chemical (Great Britain) Ltd; Gusiute Holdings (UK) Ltd; Tata Chemicals Magadi Ltd

1,254

Employment



Major employer

According to our research, more than 100,000 people* are employed by over 700 Indian companies operating in the UK, although this may include some employees based outside the UK in overseas subsidiaries.

There are 12 Indian corporates employing more than 1,000 people each in the UK. Five of these 12 companies are owned by Tata Group and employ some 63,000 people*. Of these, Tata Motors currently employs more than 25,000 people and is currently increasing its investment in Jaguar Land Rover.

The top employers operate across a wide variety of sectors with particular strength in technology and telecoms (33%) and food and beverage (25%).

There is little correlation between the fastest-growing companies and those with the most employees. Some of the larger employers, such as Adelie Foods – the 8th largest Indian employer in the UK, with over 2,000 employees – do not appear in this year’s Tracker.

Equally, some of the fastest-growing businesses have as yet had a relatively limited employment footprint: Bharat Forge Ltd, for example, at the top of the India Tracker with 465% growth in 2013, has only a limited UK workforce, and TVS Srichakra Ltd in second place for growth, has just over 100 employees.

100,000+ people employed by 700+ Indian companies in the UK*

THERE IS LITTLE CORRELATION BETWEEN THE FASTEST-GROWING

COMPANIES AND THOSE WITH THE MOST EMPLOYEES. SOME OF THE LARGER EMPLOYERS, SUCH

AS ADELIE FOODS – THE 8TH LARGEST INDIAN EMPLOYER IN

THE UK, WITH OVER 2,000 EMPLOYEES – DO NOT APPEAR

IN THIS YEAR’S TRACKER



Similarly, although Indian M&A has shown some recent signs of renewed resilience, the general picture has been one of a major fall-off in corporate activity during one of the most uncertain economic periods in recent Indian history. Investors remain cautious in the face of continued uncertainty. The situation is not helped by the weaker rupee, which appears to be further curtailing the Indian appetite for overseas acquisition.

India now awaits the May elections, set to play a pivotal role in its economic future. The prospect of a more pro-business BJP government has undoubtedly spurred the markets,

but there are concerns that it may be severely hampered in implementing its more progressive policies if forced into a coalition.

However, although hindered by the current economic and political situation, there is a great deal of pent-up demand among Indian businesses looking to set up in the UK. With many Indian companies having significant cash stockpiles on their balance sheets, we might expect to see some of this potential unleashed as companies seek to replicate the success of our Tracker top 41 in the UK as and when the economy improves.

A more challenging outlook?

ALTHOUGH HINDERED BY THE CURRENT ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SITUATION, THERE IS A GREAT DEAL

OF PENT-UP DEMAND AMONG INDIAN BUSINESSES LOOKING TO SET UP

IN THE UK

While there were more encouraging signs for the Indian economy in the last quarter of 2013, with growth rebounding slightly, India’s growth rate remained below 5% throughout the year – far below recent historic levels – and reached its lowest point for four years in the previous quarter. With half of the country’s population under 25, economists say the country must grow by at least 8% if it is to generate enough jobs for the 13 million young people flooding the workforce every year. At present, however, consistent quarter-on-quarter growth and a strong economic recovery are far from guaranteed.

About our researchOur Tracker, developed in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry, identifies the top 41 fastest-growing Indian companies in the UK as measured by percentage revenue growth year-on-year, based on the latest published accounts.

The Tracker includes Indian corporates with operations headquartered or with a significant base in the UK, with turnover of more than £5 million and a minimum two-year track record in the UK. Turnover figures have been annualised where periods of less or more than 12 months have been reported.

It also identifies the top Indian employers out of more than 700 Indian companies operating in the UK. The Tracker highlights companies employing more than 1,000 people.

About the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)CII, a non-government, not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organisation, partners business, government, and civil society, through advisory and consultative processes, to create and sustain an environment conducive to the development of India.

Founded in 1885, CII works with Government on policy issues, interfaces with thought leaders, and enhances efficiency, competitiveness and business opportunities for industry through diverse specialised services and global linkages. Extending its agenda beyond business, CII also engages in initiatives for integrated and inclusive development.

With 64 offices, including 9 Centres of Excellence, in India, and 7 overseas offices, as well as partnerships with counterpart organizations across the globe, CII is a reference point for Indian industry and the international business community. www.cii.in

About Grant Thornton UK LLPGrant Thornton UK LLP is a leading business and financial adviser with offices in 28 locations nationwide. Led by over 200 partners and employing more than 4,500 of the profession’s brightest minds, we provide personalised assurance, tax and specialist advisory services to privately-held businesses and public interest entities.

South Asia Group Our long-established South Asia Group serves Asian-owned businesses in the UK as well as those investing into and from the Indian subcontinent.

We are widely recognised as one of the leading international firms advising on India-related matters and have been involved in every IPO involving an Indian company on AIM, with the exception of the real estate sector.

For those clients requiring advice in both the UK and India, we offer a seamless service building on the already strong and close relationship between Grant Thornton UK LLP and Grant Thornton India.

About Grant Thornton India LLPGrant Thornton India LLP is one of the oldest and most prestigious accountancy firms in the country. Today, it has grown to be one of the largest accountancy and advisory firms in India with nearly 1,500 professional staff in New Delhi, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune, and affiliate arrangements in most of the major towns and cities across the country.

The firm’s mission is to be the adviser of choice to dynamic Indian businesses with global ambitions – raising global capital, expanding into global markets, adopting global standards or acquiring global businesses.

For further information about this report, contact:

Anuj Chande Partner and Head of the South Asia Group Grant Thornton UK LLP T +44 (0)20 7728 2133 E [email protected]

© 2014 Grant Thornton UK LLP. All rights reserved.

‘Grant Thornton’ means Grant Thornton UK LLP, a limited liability partnership.

Grant Thornton is a member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd (Grant Thornton International). References to ‘Grant Thornton’ are to the brand under which the Grant Thornton member firms operate and refer to one or more member firms, as the context requires. Grant Thornton International and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. Services are delivered independently by member firms, which are not responsible for the services or activities of one another. Grant Thornton International does not provide services to clients.

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