Bengal cos shine in 2024 Burgundy Private Hurun India 500
Times of India | 19 February 2025
Kolkata: Bengal has witnessed a rise in the number of companies featured in the 2024 Burgundy Private Hurun India 500. A total of 27 companies from the state have made it to the list, an increase of five since its inception in 2021. The cumulative valuation of companies from the state stands at Rs 12.9 lakh crore, reflecting a 63% rise—equivalent to Rs 5 lakh crore—since 2021. In 2025, Burgundy Private, Axis Bank's Private Banking Business and Hurun India conducted the study.
Bengal's heritage companies stand out in the list. Britannia Industries, founded in 1892 is the oldest, with a valuation of Rs 1.2 lakh crore, followed by CESC, established in 1899, valued at Rs 26,460 crore. ITC, founded in 1910, holds the highest valuation among them at Rs 5.8 lakh crore. ITC is also the state's most valuable company, followed by Britannia Industries at Rs 1.2 lakh crore and Shree Cement at Rs 96,430 crore.
The total sales of Bengal-based companies in the list reached Rs 2.7 lakh crore, marking a 38% increase—Rs 0.7 lakh crore—since 2021. All 27 companies featured in the list are headquartered in Kolkata. These companies collectively employ 3.7 lakh people, reflecting a 60% rise since 2021.
Additionally, the average number of employees per company has increased by 47%, reaching 15,555. Bandhan Bank leads in women's employment, with 8,440 female employees, followed by ITC with 3,542 and EIH with 1,064, highlighting their significant contribution to women's workforce participation.
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