OUR
History
Since 139 Years, Gill & Company is deeply rooted in merchandising cotton and other Agricultural Commodities in India and Global Market.
Our Cotton Business
Established in 1886, Gill & Company is located in Mumbai, the historic Indian City of Cotton Trade. We are an integrated originator of cotton, a full fledged trading and merchandising house.
Our focus is to source baled cotton from all cotton growing regions of India which require in-depth knowledge and expertise. With effective Risk Management and Logistic in the Cotton Supply Chain with an aim to provide our Customers with superior quality cotton with reduced contamination on time. Gill & Company has the privilege to supply Indian Cotton to leading Indian domestic Mills, Leading Textile Mills in every major cotton consuming countries in the world and to world renowned Multi-National Companies for many decades.
Our long term relationship with our customers has been built on trust, mutual respect and ethical trade practices.
Retracing Our Heritage
Gill & Co. was established over 139 years ago by Mr. H. Gill, a British national, in partnership with other British nationals and Mr. Khengar Thobhan and Mr. Meghji Thobhan, who were senior members of the Indian Meghji Thobhan family
PARTNERS OF GILL & COMPANY : 1895
Sitting (L To R)
Mr. Pristley, Mr. Khengar Thobhan, Mr. H. Gill, Mr. Meghaji Thobhan, Mr. Ainsworth
Standing (L To R)
Mr. B.c. Reed, Mr. Shantaram V. Diawkar, Sir Shantidas Askuram, Mr. Ansley
At the time, the company acted as brokers and agents in the purchase and sale of cotton in the domestic market and also played a leading role in the import and export of cotton from overseas, Gill & Co. was also responsible for introducing USA, Sudan, East Africa and Aden growths in the Indian market.
PARTNERS OF GILL & COMPANY : 1927
Sitting (L To R)
Mr. G.C.R. Coldridge, Mr. Virchand Meghiji, Mr. F.G. Travers, Mr. Meghji Thobhan, Mr. H.C. Short
Standing (L to R)
Mr. Pranlal Khetsey, Mr. R.J.O. Mayer, Mr. Khushal Khengar, Mr. J.L. Hamilton
Until 1970, Gill & Co. was the leading importer of cotton, and represented some of India’s Government exporting agencies as well as the world’s most renowned trading houses. From 1970 onwards, the import of cotton was canalized with the formation of the Cotton Corporation of India Ltd, which imported approximately one million bales. Gill & Co. was successful in negotiating substantial business on behalf of their principals
In The Fore Front
Gill & Co. has been in the forefront of cotton export ever since private trade was allowed to export this commodity. The company branch in Karachi was particularly active in exporting cotton to leading buyers all over the world, before partition. When the Soviet Union decided to purchase cotton for the first time between 1948-50, the contract was entrusted to Gill & Co. Karachi, which gave them a more than satisfactory performance, resulting in a huge turnover.
In 1974-1975, long and extra staple cotton was allowed to be exported from India for the first time, Gill & Co. introduced these styles to the overseas market through their principals, mainly M/s. Ralli Brothers, Coney Ltd, now CARGILL COTTON, Liverpool and to quite some extent through M/s. Bambax, S.A. Geneva with support from the Cotton Corporation of India, Maharashtra State Cotton Marketing Federation, the Gujarat State Co-operative Cotton Marketing Federation.
PARTNERS OF GILL & COMPANY : 1958
SITTING (L to R) Mr. Kantilal Virchand, Mr. A.G. Reynolds, Mr. Bhogilal Virchand, Mr. Dhirajlal Virchand, Mr. P.P. Darlow, Mr. Shobhagmal Virchand SITTING (L to R) Mr. Manilal Virchand, Mr. Khushal Khenghar, Mr. C.S. Barret (Chairman), Mr. G.L. Mytton, Mr. Shantilal VirchandAfter a long interval, the Government of India once again permitted private trade to export staple cotton in 1986. Of the total sales of staple cotton registered by the private trade for 2,44,504 bales, Gill & Co’s shares was 87,809 bales i.e. nearly 36%, the highest registered by a private exporter.
PARTNERS OF GILL & COMPANY : 1958
Siting (L to R)
Mr. Manilal Virchand, Mr. Khushal Khenghar, Mr. C.S. Barrett (Chairman), Mr. G.L. Mytton, Mr.Shantilal Virchand
Standing (L to R)
Mr. Kantilal Virchand, Mr.A.G. Reynolds, Mr. Bhogilal Virchand, Mr. Dhirajlal Virchand, Mr. P.P.Darlow, Mr. Shobhagmal virchand
After a long interval, the Government of India once again permitted private trade to export staple cotton in 1986. Of the total sales of staple cotton registered by the private trade for 2,44,504 bales, Gill & Co’s shares was 87,809 bales i.e. nearly 36%, the highest registered by a private exporter.
In The Fore Front
Gill & Co. has been a leader in cotton export since private trade was permitted to export the commodity. Before partition, our Karachi branch was particularly active in exporting cotton to major buyers worldwide. When the Soviet Union made its initial cotton purchases between 1948 and 1950, the contract was awarded to Gill & Co. Karachi. Our performance was highly satisfactory, leading to significant turnover.
In 1974-1975, when long and extra staple cotton was allowed for export from India for the first time, Gill & Co. introduced these styles to the overseas market. We achieved this through our principals, mainly M/s. Ralli Brothers (now Cargill Cotton, Liverpool), and to a considerable extent through M/s. Bambax, S.A. Geneva. We were supported by the Cotton Corporation of India, the Maharashtra State Cotton Marketing Federation, and the Gujarat State Co-operative Cotton Marketing Federation.
Generations of Quality Service
Established in 1886, Gill & Co. became a private company in 1947 with a board consisting of four British and one Indian Director.
For several years, the company has been managed by members of the Meghji Thobhan family. Mr. Khengar Thobhan and Mr. Meghji Thobhan were associated with the Company from its formation, and this association continues with successive generations of family branches making a notable contribution to Gill & Co’s continued stability and progress.
Import
The Indian textile industry imports a large volume of foreign cotton. Gill & Co. represents major world-renowned cotton merchants and co-operatives. The import of cotton requires a high degree of specialization and in-depth knowledge. Gill & Co. has been at the forefront as one of the largest raw cotton agencies in the world, supplying cotton from all origins to leading mills in India. We were instrumental in introducing foreign growths such as Sudan and Abyan to the Indian market for the first time, holding exclusive agencies for them. Other foreign growths we handle include Brazilian, Paraguayan, Argentinean, and U.S.A. cotton, positioning us as one of the largest cotton agents in the world.
Exports
For 139 years, Gill & Co. has played a vital role in serving the cotton community. Our aim is to stay true to our belief by providing customers with unparalleled services, expertise, knowledge, ethical practices, and the highest levels of integrity for generations to come.
Memories
