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Bidco Africa history
Bidco Africa company history timeline
Bidco Africa was founded in 1970 by Bhimji Depar Shah to manufacture garments.
They relocated to Nairobi, and set up a soap manufacturing plant. It was established in 1970 as a garment manufacturer in Nyeri, Kenya.
In 1985, the former chairman, Mr Bhimji Depar Shah and his two sons Vimal Shah and Tarun Shah saw a growing need in the African market for soap products.
In 1991, Bidco set up a state of the art refinery in Thika.
In 1998, Bidco acquired the Elianto unit from Unga Group, a firm listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
He was named the Professional Manager of the Year 2001 and winner for Outstanding Executive support for IT in 2001.
The group expanded regionally in 2001 when it launched into Tanzania through the creation of BIDCO Oil & Soap Ltd in Dar es Salaam.
He was rankedthe 3rd East Africa Business Leader of the Future and 5th Most Respected Chief Executive Officer in East Africa in 2002.
In 2002, Bidco acquired Unilever’s brands in edible oil and soap business in Kenya.
In 2005, the group expanded into Uganda with the official opening of the Bidco Uganda Limited Complex in Jinja.
In 2008, the Kenya Institute of Management awarded him the CEO of the Year award with BIDCO winning the Company of the year award.
In recognition of his contribution to national development, Former President Mwai Kibaki awarded him the ‘First Class: Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS) in December 2011-the highest national honour for a private citizen in Kenya.
The Company started producing personal care and beauty products in 2011, with the launch of “Pure and Natural Bar” soap.
Vimal was the 2012 recipient of the East African Entrepreneur of the Year award awarded by All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) in partnership with CNBC Africa and Forbes Africa.
In 2013, Bidco reported an annual turnover of more that USD 500 million.
In 2014, the Company launched more personal care and beauty soaps with the launch of Gaea – a family bath soap and Germonil – a personal hygiene product.
In 2015, KCA University awarded him an honorary PhD for his contribution to the growth of entrepreneurship in Kenya.
Also in 2015 he was named Oshwal Entrepreneur of the Year in the first ever Oshwal Awards.
In 2016, the company announced a joint venture with a fortune 500 company – Land O’Lakes ltd, to form Bidco Land O’Lakes Ltd, a company that will initially produce animal feeds for the Kenyan market but eventually expand into other East African countries.
In 2017, Bidco Africa announced plans to commission four new plants as part of an ambitious diversification plan estimated at $200 million (Kshs 20.66 billion) over a period of five years.
In February 2019 the BBC reported Bidco Africa's expansion into the food and beverage category as a move that positions the company to become the leading manufacturer of consumer goods in East Africa with a portfolio of over 40 brands and over 25,000 employees.
2020 Bidco Africa Limited
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