Apeejay Surrendra Group

In 1910, Mr. Pyare Lal, a young patriot, responding to the Nation's call for self-sufficiency, set up a small unit in Jalandhar, to manufacture steel goods for the domestic agricultural market. His untiring efforts saw the firm Amin Chand Pyare Lal grow and by World War II, become profitable enough to employ 100 people. The small unit in Jalandhar rapidly expanded into an enterprise, fuelled by a fierce pioneering spirit .It was destined to achieve many breakthroughs in post independence India. After Mr. Pyare Lal's demise, his sons Mr. Stya Paul, Mr. Jit Paul, Mr. Swraj Paul and Mr. Surrendra Paul - continued to build on the business under the able stewardship of Mr. Jit Paul. The Group was among the first importers of steel into India. Challenged by the bottleneck created by the scarcity of steel and steel goods in the 1950s, Apeejay successfully explored non-traditional sources like the USSR, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland East Germany and China and effected large-scale imports into India. This included products for construction and infrastructure building, an essential requirement for a young nation. The Group's visionary step of importing rails from East Europe, opened up a new, competitive source for railway supplies, so far being monopolized by West European countries. International trading activities grew rapidly and the Group's trading operations expanded in diverse international markets to include steel, finished steel products, coal and machinery. It also set up the country's most advanced steel mill in the eastern capital of Calcutta and was among the first to manufacture stainless steel in India. All this was achieved without any foreign collaboration, another first for India. Soon it emerged as the third largest exporter of steel after Hindustan Steel Ltd and Tisco steel, pioneering exports to markets like UK and Japan. Having started as steel importers, Apeejay Surrendra took an early interest in freight costs and shipping. It was therefore natural that in the mid 1950s the Group expanded to shipping. Surrendra Overseas Limited, now known as Apeejay Shipping, was the first Indian company to enter into the shipping business after a long lapse of time. This encouraged the rapid expansion of the Indian merchant fleet. The Shipping enterprise grew rapidly; the vessels became larger and more specialized carrying the company's red and white APJ initials out of Calcutta and Bombay to the Far East, Europe and North America. The 1960s saw the Group venture into hotels, real estate, construction and pharmaceuticals. We acquired a controlling interest in British companies such as Martin Harris, Walter Bushnell, all leading manufacturers of antibiotics, anti- malarial and antiangina drugs of their time. By November 1967, the first of our hotels had opened for business in fashionable Park Street in Calcutta.

Apeejay Surrendra expanded its operations to Tea in the 1980s with the acquisition of tea estates in Assam, North East India. Within less than a decade, the tea enterprise had created new jobs, better pay and more facilities for its workers, and the greater exports and higher tax revenues substantially contributed to the economy of the state of Assam. Over the years, this successful conglomerate came to be recognized as Apeejay Surrendra Group the A standing for Mr. Amin Chand (Mr. Pyare Lal's father); P for Mr. Pyare Lal and J for Jalandhar. It is a perfect tribute to the industrious ancestors and founders as well as remembering the place from where this illustrious journey began. It also honours its dynamic late Chairman- Mr. Surrendra Paul. Mr. Surrendra Paul became the Chairman of the Group in 1982 till his untimely death in 1990.A global minded businessman with a clear vision and decisiveness, Mr. Surrendra Paul had the ability to make things happen. His leadership saw a period of consolidation of existing businesses and expanding into newer ventures. Mrs. Shirin Paul, wife of (late) Mr. Surrendra Paul steered the group as Chairperson from 1991 through very trying times after Mr. Surrendra Paul's unfortunate demise. Priya, Priti and Karan his children continue the legacy of dynamic leadership, upholding family values and visionary business decisions. Within a decade, the Financial Services business grew; Apeejay Oxford Bookstores and Apeejay Business Centers were created and taken to all major metros; Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, pioneered the concept of boutique hotels in India, under the brand name of The Park Hotels. Mr. Karan Paul became the Chairman in 2004. He oversees Group financial planning and business strategy, Group diversification into new business ventures and operations as well as management of Group's Tea and Shipping divisions. Ms Priya Paul oversees operations of Hospitality and Ms Priti Paul, for Retail and Real Estate divisions. The Group continues to grow with new initiatives and consolidation of existing businesses. In 2005, we acquired Typhoo, UK's third largest and an over 100-year-old iconic British tea brand. This was India's second largest global FMCG acquisition and the 7th biggest corporate takeover by an Indian company till October 05. In 2006, our stock broking business was hived off to ILFS Invest mart, India's leading financial services provider and a majority stake in our retail finance arm was sold to Soci Grale, France's second largest diversified financial services group with full equity sale concluding in 2007. Also in 2007, our hospitality division entered into a partnership with global financial giant, Credit Suisse and our shipping arm entered into two joint ventures to develop Shipbuilding Yards and Logistics Parks along India's eastern coast with Bharti Shipyard Limited and Eredene Capital PLC respectively.

Today, Apeejay Surrendra Group employs close to 43000 people in rapidly expanding operations in Tea, Hospitality, Shipping, Real Estate and Retail. The Family values that have nurtured the Group continue to guide the conglomerate as it expands its footprint with new business ventures. Young professionals committed to long-term progress and profits invigorate operations with a new vitality.

Hospitality
We have pioneered the concept of contemporary luxury boutique hospitality in India. From our first hotel on Kolkatas prime Park Street in 1967, to our 10th hotel in Pune scheduled to open in 2011 our signature style, innovative design and passionate service continues to make Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels a destination of choice for international corporate and leisure travelers. Positioned in the heart of Indias buzzing metros, our hotels distil global trends and infuse local inspiration to create new definitions in boutique luxury. We continuously differentiate ourselves be it through the technology-enabled living and work spaces; original dining and entertainment concepts; eclectic collection of contemporary art, furniture and accessories; or rejuvenating spas. Unparalleled guest attentiveness distinguishes our unique brand of hospitality. A highly customised software technology enables our staff to meticulously record guest history, share it across locations and thereby, delight customers with individualised service, delivered with effortless agility. From business to pleasure, we create new experiences and pique customer curiosity by anticipating opportunities and sensitising ourselves to the needs of our guests. We believe, continuous innovation has enabled us to not only enhance customer value at every visit but also create new benchmarks in global standards of hospitality and service excellence. We aim to consolidate our position as a leading, world class boutique hotel business through the launch of new hotels across India

The Park Group of Hotels

The Park Group of Hotels is a pioneer in the concept of luxury boutique hotels in India. Over the 40 years since it was first established, the group has grown in popularity and prestige, achieving global standards of product quality and service excellence. The Park Hotels are managed by the Apeejay Surrendra Group. A century old company, with its foundation in steel, the group was founded in 1910. Today, with over 42000 employees, it is rapidly expanding with operations having spread to Tea, Hospitality, Shipping, Real Estate and Retail as well as Financial Services. Located in some of the biggest cities around the country, The Park is a likely choice of destination for corporate and leisure travelers from India and abroad. In each city, the properties are at prime downtown locations giving the guests easy access to the commercial and entertainment hubs around town. Kolkata was the first city to welcome The Park Hotel in the year 1967. The Park, Kolkata, offers urban luxury at the best downtown location. Today, post renovations, it dons a stylish and contemporary new look in all public as well as private spaces with all 149 rooms lavishly furnished and offering exclusive services to the guests. The hotel is famous for its exciting after-hours entertainment. With a pub, a cocktail bar, a 5000 sq. ft. international nightclub and an al fresco bar with a dining area, guests are at no loss for choice for their nighttime destinations. The hotel is a member of the Design Hotels and has a niche boutique identity of its own. A year later, with a beautiful beachside property, was born The Park Vishakapatnam the group's second hotel and the first deluxe hotel of Andhra Pradesh. The Park, New Delhi came into existence in 1987, in the throbbing heart of the Capital on Parliament Road with 224 rooms. An urban retreat in the Silicon City The Park, Bangalore was launched in the year 2000 with a 109 rooms. Located in Anna Salai, the centre of the business district The Park, Chennai, established in 2002 was a cosmopolitan haven with 215 rooms. At Navi Mumbai is a contemporary and elegant 80-room hotel, with an ideal setting for business and leisure; it defines a new vision of service with style. More recently, in January of 2010 The Park Hotels opened its new properties at Hyderabad and Kerala Backwaters. With a 280-room property, The Park Hyderabad takes architecture, style and design to a whole new level on luxury hotels. Luxury cruiser Apsara " Heaven on water and The Park on Vembanad Lake at Kerala Backwaters opened in January 2010. Both Properties revolutionise the hospitality industry in the country. New properties are proposed to open soon in the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass in Kolkata, Kochi, Pune as well as in Jaipur.

All the hotels have a unique identity of their own. By imbibing the local culture in the dcor and keeping a very strong emphasis on contemporary design, the hotels are extremely modern but with a flavor of the local cultural ethos as well. Stylistic luxury enhances every detail at The Park " from the art, the furniture and the ornamentation to the dining and entertainment facilities. The Park has achieved excellence in the market through the ceaseless up-gradation of products and services, making it a truly cutting-edge international experience.

The Park Vision The Park group envisions Leadership through Differentiation which is reflected in the detailed customer focus, product and service innovation, social and environmental consciousness as well as in the effort to nurture art and culture in its spaces.

The Park Mission The Park group aims to operate a collection of luxury boutique hotels and restaurants, establishing global standards of quality and excellence. A complete customer experience is the purpose of every action taken by the hotel administration. Share-holders, customers and employees are ensured long-term benefits by the profitability and growth of the company. A clear belief in the happiness of the stuff at The Park is encouraged, making teamwork, commitment and integrity some of the core values fostered here to achieve success. The group strives to serve the community that it belongs to, giving back to the community that sustains it.

The Park Hyderabad

The new iconic hotel of The Park Hotels in Hyderabad, influenced by its proud tradition as a centre of design and the production of precious stones and distinctive textiles is shortly to be launched in Hyderabad. The hotel will enable its guests to indulge in a breathtaking view of the Hussain Sagar Lake which is the largest man-made lake in the country. This 270 room property is also a part of the design hotels which aims to unite distinctive properties across the globe along with their original thinkers within the global hospitality network .This hotel is the first in the country to introduce non-smoking across all its guestrooms

A unique feature about this hotel is that it is to be the first green hotel in the entire country and is built to the specifications of the Green Building Council in US and has achieved LEED certification, The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is internationally recognized. The hotels unique exterior cladding and interior surface finish reflect local traditions of craftsmanship, patterning, and style. The faade used as an exterior framework refers to jewelry settings and metal working found in the Nizam jewelry collection (one of the most valuable jewelry collections in the world).The building incorporates a range of high quality spaces, from guest rooms, executive and presidential suites, to restaurants, lounges and entertainment venues. From the ground floor, retail halls and art galleries are accessible to guests and visitors alike with a separate entrance at the ground level. The retail space is to facilitate a small shopping arcade of 14-15 brands and will also include one of the largest Oxford bookstores in the country. The vast dining options within the hotel are Verandah which is an all day dining bar & restaurant, Indian restaurant, Oriental Restaurant, Residence bar and Aqua. Also facilities like health club, night club and spa are also made available to all the guests.

Deparments

Aministration & General Aura Business centre Engineering F&B It Laundry Rooms Sales &marketing Telephone Training

Human Resource Management : Selection process :

In The Park Hotel the recruitment is is done in the months of April,May & October & November. Usually hire the people through naukari.com, Times jobs.com & Monster.com. The process of selection for Executive level is first interview with the associate Hr Manager and the next interview with the concen deparment Hod and final interview with General Manager. For the junior level the process is first interview with Hr Hod and then final interview with the concern department Hod. This is the selection process in The Park Hotel.

Human Resource Planning :

In The Park Hotel if the employee wants to leave the company he has to intimate before 45 to 60 days. For the executives it is 60 days and for other employees it is for 45 days. And then recuriutment is done accoding to the vacancies.

Human Resource Development Activities :

The Human Resource Development activities in The Park Hotel is they used to conduct games and other activities. Regular meetings with all the employees is another activity done by the HR people in the hotel. They also give the award to best employes every month to all the deparments.

Hr Information System :
In The Park Hotel the use notice boards and the mails to transfer the information to the employees. Most of the information is transfer through the mails.

HR Department Structure :

Associate Director

Asst .HR

Associate HR

Associate HR

Associate HR

Finance Department Structure :

Finance Director

Finance Manager

Team Leader

Team Leader

Team Leader

Team Leader

Director Sales & Marketing