Nearly two and half decades ago, the Jhunjhunwala family began its relationship with the glass manufacturing industry, unaware of what the future beheld. In 1986 the then young Mr Sushil Jhunjhunwala, curious for things radically different and new, was enamoured by ‘opal glass’ on a foreign business trip. Being a visionary with an eye for innovation, the idea of opal tableware, travelled back with him, to India.
Originally, a French discovery, opal glass was considered rare and difficult to create. Though it was an arduous challenge, he won it with unwavering determination and commitment, and successfully introduced opal glass in India in 1988 under the brand ‘La Opala’, paving a new era in the tableware industry.
The company has kept its fingers on the consumer’s pulse and in line with changing trends, it has always been at the forefront of innovation. It has time and again come up with breakthrough products which helped shape the history of the Indian tableware market.
La Opala went public in 1994. The confidence of the people rose, and the foresight and brand image were crafted to perfection, leading to a substantial over subscription. By the end of 1996, while others grappled to understand the opalware industry, La Opala was paving ways on a road untravelled…handcrafted 24% Lead crystal glassware. To ensure further excellence, the company collaborated with Doosan Glass Limited, South Korean experts in glass manufacturing and began a journey of crystallised finesse, unseen before. In 2008 the company started an eco friendly state-of-the-art, opal glass manufacturing facility at Uttarakhand that provides the technological edge in bringing fineness to its wide range of products. Fostering a consolidated and consistent growth, today La Opala has gone beyond opal glassware to being perceived as a ‘Designer Collection’.
The management of La Opala RG Limited comprises Mr. Sushil Jhunjhunwala as Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Mr. Ajit Jhunjhunwala as Joint Managing Director and Ms. Nidhi Jhunjhunwala as Executive Director, aptly guided by an effective Board of Directors.
A leader in the Indian tableware market, La Opala products are today a favourite in countries like USA, UK, France, Turkey, Middle East and South East Asian countries.
Amongst other awards and accolades, the company bagged the SME award for excellence in business from Business Today and The Economic Times Bengal Corporate award for the ‘Best Financial Performance in the category of above INR 100 crore to INR 300 crore’ space.
The company continues to deliver strong financial performance. For the FY ending March 2015, the revenue from operation stood at Rs.229 crores; profit before tax stood at an impressive Rs. 56 crores.
Image Courtesy: Business Today
