SANDAL WOOD INDUSTY

About Us
The Government Sandalwood Oil factory was established by the Maharaja of Mysore His Highness Nalwadi Krishna Raja Wodeyar and Diwan Sir, M. Visvesvaraya, during the year 1916 at Mysore, to extract Sandalwood Oil from Sandalwood. The foresight and enthusiasm of Maharaja of Mysore, to keep the Mysore State in the Global Map, by introducing "THE WORLD'S BEST NATURAL SANDALWOOD OIL" and to make it as a "FRAGRANCE AMBASSADOR OF INDIA". The first experiment for extraction of Sandalwood oil from Sandalwood was successfully conducted in Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, under the leadership of Prof. Suddourough and Prof. Watson. The high quality Sandalwood oil with British Pharmacopia was introduced to the world by the Government Soap Factory, Mysore.

During the year 1918, a foreign guest presented a rare gift with a pack of Soaps made by using Sandalwood oil produced in our Country to His Highness, the Maharaja of Mysore. This has sparked the idea of utilizing the available natural Sandalwood oil for making soap in the home State of Mysore. Sri S.G. Shastry, who was a qualified Industrial Chemist, was sent to Landon for an advanced training on Soap & Perfumery technology. With the return of S.G. Shastry from Landon, the era of MYSORE SANDAL SOAP began. Sri S.G. Shastry has developed Sandal perfume, which was considered as a land mark in the field of soap perfuming in those days. The first indigenous SANDAL SOAP with Sandal Note as its base fragrance along with the other Natural Essential Oils consisting of Vetivert, Patchouli, Geranium, Palm Rosa, orange, Petitgrain etc. was produced and introduced in the market under the brand name of MYSORE SANDAL SOAP during the year 1918.

MILE STONES OF THE COMPANY:

1918 - Government Soap Factory was started by Maharaja of Mysore with the capacity of 112MTs/Annum near Cubbon part, Bangalore and the MYSORE SANDAL SOAP was introduced into the market for the first time. 1932 1944 1954 - Toilet soap production capacity was enhanced to 750MTs/Annum. - The second Sandalwood Oil extraction plant was started in Shimoga. - Foundation stone was laid by Sir M. Visvesvaraya for establishment of new manufacturing facilities at Rajajinagar, Industrial Suburb, Bangalore. 1957 1965 1967 1970 - Factory was shifted from Cubbon Park to the new premises. - Started exporting its products to various Countries. - Celebrated its Golden Jubilee. - Production capacity was increased to 6000MTs/Annum, in a phase wise with parallel modernization of various manufacturing equipments.

1974 1975

- Mysore Sales International Limited was appointed as the sole selling agent for marketing its products. - Synthetic Detergent plant for manufacture of Detergent cake and Detergent powder was installed with Italian technology.

1980

- Government Soap Factory was converted into a Public Sector Enterprise and the Company incorporated on 9th July 1980 and re-named asKARNATAKA SOAPS & DETERGENTS LIMITED.

1981

- Fatty Acid unit was established to utilize Indigenously available minor seed oils as the raw material for Soap manufacturing and to produce Glycerine and Stearic acid.

1984

- Expanded the production capacity with modern manufacturing facilities, which was available at that time to produce 26000MTs/Annum of Toilet soaps with different variants.

1987

- Company has taken over the marketing activities from M/s. MSIL and established its own marketing network by opening seven Branches all over India.

1992

- Company has faced very stiff competition after liberalization in the Country from different multi National Companies. Company was registered with the Board for Industries and financial reconstruction (BFR) New Delhi, as the Company suffered heavy losses.

1996

- The BIFR approved the rehabilitation package in September and Company has taken stringent measures for the Cost control and improving the productivity and sales. Company started making profits.

1999

- Company was certified with ISO 9001:1994 Certification by BSI for its effective implementation of Quality Management Systems. Company has launched MYSORE SANDAL GOLD- 125gms and MYSORE SANDAL BABY-75gms in the premium segment.

2000

- Company was certified with ISO 14001 Certification by BSI for its effective implementation Environmental Management System.

2003

- Company has wiped out entire carry forward losses of `.98.00 crores and come out from BIFR. Company has made profits continuously every year and it is the only State Public Sector unit, which has come out of BIFR and making continuous profits in the State.

2004 2008

- The ISO certification was upgraded to ISO 9001:2000. - Company has introduced Hand wash liquids under the trade name of Herbal Hand wash and Rose Hand wash liquids. Company has also introduced liquid Detergent under the trade name of KLEENOL liquid with different variants for Floor wash, Dish wash and Automobile wash.

2009

- Company has established In-House state of the Art manufacturing facilities for manufacture and filling of Mysore Sandal Talcum powder and Mysore Sandal Baby powder. Company has reintroduced the Talcum powder variants with new outlook of containers.

2010

- The ISO certification was upgraded to ISO 9001:2008.

Company is on progressive growth for the last 10 years by increasing its production & sales volumes. The Company turnover has increased from `100.00 crores during the year 2003 to `200.00 crores during the year 2009-10.

Vision Statement :
Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Limited has a clear Vision for all round development of the Company. This is reflected in the form of a well conceptualized and cogent blue print called VISION 2013. The VISION 2013 sets the goals and milestones and suggests the strategies and plans necessary to relies the Vision. The Vision of the KS&DL is embodied in the following statement:-

"KARNATAKA SOAPS & DETERGENTS LIMITED WILL LEVERAGE LATEST SOAP MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BY IMBIBING PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT

TECHNIQUES TO IMPROVE ITS FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITIES, TRANSPARENCY, BUSINESS AND TO TRANSFORM ITSELF INTO A COMPETITOR IN THE FMCG MARKET IN INDIA AND ALSO TO SPREAD ITS FRAGRANCE IN THE FMCG GLOBAL MARKET".

Mission Statement :
Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Limited shall strive to achieve:-

Rs.235.00 crores sales turnover during the year 2010-11. Minimum 10% of savings of cost in various activities during the year 2010-11.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS OF THE COMPANY:

The Net Worth of the Company is Rs. 54.00 Crores as at the end of 31st March 2010. The Company has achieved Rs. 200 Crores Sales Turnover with a net profit of Rs. 9.31 Crores during the year 2009-10.

MYSORE PALACE

Mysore Palace or the Mysore Maharaja Palace is located in the heart of the city. Mysore Palace is one of the most visited monuments in India. And its one of the largest palaces in the country, also known as Amba VilasPalace, was the residence of the Wodeyar Maharaja's of the Mysore state.

The original palace built of wood, got burnt down in 1897, during the wedding of Jayalakshammanni, the eldest daughter of Chamaraja Wodeyar and was rebuilt in 1912 at the cost of Rs. 42 lakhs. The present Palace built in Indo-Saracenic style and blends together Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles of architecture. It is a three-storied stone structure, with marble domes and a 145 ft five-storied tower. Above the central arch is an impressive sculpture of Gajalakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, good luck, and abundance with her elephants. The palace is surrounded by a large garden. Designed by the well-known British architect, Henry Irwin, the palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world.

Mysore Palace is priceless national treasure and the pride of a kingdom, the Mysore Maharaja Palace is the seat of the famed Wodeyar Maharaja's of Mysore. The palace is now converted into a museum that treasures souvenirs, paintings, jewelery, royal costumes and other items, which were once possessed by the Wodeyars. It's a Kaleidoscope of stained glass & mirrors. The tastefully decorated and intricately carved doors open into luxuriously decorated rooms. The ground floor with an enclosed courtyard displays costumes, musical instruments, children toys and numerous portraits. The upper floor has a small collection of weapons. The beautifully carved mahogany ceilings, solid silver doors, white marble floors and superb columned Durbar Hall are a fest to the eyes. The palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world. Exquisitely carved doors open into stunningly luxurious rooms.

The front of the Amba Vilas Palace has an open balcony supported by massive circular columns. The Royal portrait gallery, which is of historical importance, is a visual treat to the visitors. This three-storied structure has beautifully designed square towers at various cardinal points covered by domes. Craftsmen from Jaipur and Agra along with local workers were engaged in crafting them. The marriage pavilion or the Kalyana Mantapa with a center octagonal gabled roof, covered by stained glasses, is to the south of the building. The flooring of this magnificent Kalyana Mantapa has artistic geometrical patterns created by using glittering glazed tiles imported from England. The building has gorgeous chandeliers of Czechoslovakian make. The royal throne, regal seat of the is called the Chinnada Simhasana or Ratna Simahasana with captivating artwork on its gold plates is displayed during the Dasara festival. The Maharajas of Mysore used to sit on the golden throne and hold durbars in the Palace Durbar Hall. The paintings of eight manifestations of Goddess Shakthi (strength) and an original painting of the renowned painter Raja Ravi Verma are also on display. The palace complex has a selection of twelve Hindu temples. The oldest of these was built in the 14th century, while the most recent was built in 1953. Someshvara Temple, dedicated to God Lord Shiva and Lakshmiramana Temple, dedicated to God Lord Vishnu are some of the more famous temples. Palace is the venue for the famous Mysore Dasara festival, during which leading artists perform on a stage set up in the palace grounds. On the tenth day of the festival Vijaya Dashami, a parade with caparisoned elephants and other floats originate from the palace grounds.

The erstwhile Royal family continues to live in a portion of the Palace. Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar is the current scion of the Wodeyar Dynasty. A silhouette of the Mysore Palace illuminated with ninety seven thousand bulbs, shimmering against an inky black night is one of the most enduring images of the city. Although tourists are allowed to visit the palace, they are not allowed to take photographs inside the palace.

MYSORE ZOO
Mysore Zoo or Shri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens is one of the oldest zoo in India. It is home to a wide range of wild species and takes the credit for alluring vast number of visitors with its rich breed of flora and fauna. Mysore Zoo is a must in the itinerary for sightseeing in Mysore. Mysore Zoo is a pleasant experience also because most animals are kept in well spaced enclosures and its a delight to see them move around freely. The Mysore zoo abounds in natural vegetation cover and comprises of various rare species of plants & trees that are hard to find some where else. It is located inside the city unlike many other Zoos in India and Mysore Zoo is considered to be one of the best and oldest in the world. The Mysore zoo is over a century old and has an interesting history of its own. Sri Chamarajendra Wodeyar had a vision to create a well laid-out city amidst the gardens, and founded the world famous Mysore Zoo in the year of 1892. The Mysore Zoo which has now spread over an area of 250 acres was initially meant for the exclusive visit of the royal family but public entry started as early as 1920. After India attained freedom, the Zoo was presented by the then Maharaja to the Department of Parks and Gardens of the Mysore State Government.

Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens houses a variety of species not only of this country, but from over forty countries in the World. The Maharaja in his travel abroad collected rare animals from different countries and brought them to the zoo's collection. Animals available in the Mysore forests were exchanged for the animals procured from other countries and as a result acquisition of a large number of animals of different species was possible. It has beautiful landscape with good vegetation cover resembling to that of natural environment. Many animals which are imported from countries like Africa, America, and Australian countries. Mysore Zoo is among the few in India exhibiting African elephants, and the only one to breed them. Mysore Zoo was the first in the country to obtain gorilla and penguins. The Mysore Zoo is not just a place of recreation, but is also serving as a good educational center for imparting knowledge on conservation of wildlife. Mysore Zoo is supporting the conservation of endangered species through coordinated breeding and rehabilitation. It is also credited with achieving considerable break-through in captive breeding of many animals. Today though the Mysore zoo is over a century old it has spacious enclosures, walk through, a veterinary hospital, with facility for quarantine, operation theater, medicine rooms and wards for animals. The Mysore Zoo has a small museum which exhibits the stuffed animals and there is a fish aquarium too. A small library is also located in the Zoo. Painting and essay competitions are periodically conducted by the zoo authority the children to create awareness and love in them for animals. To inspire the visitors to the Zoo and generate empathy for wild animals and also for maintaining ecological balance, in a way to involve people in Wildlife Conservation, Mysore Zoo has launched a novel scheme of adoption of animals under Adoption Programme, which means you can take care of the feeding expenses of an animal for a certain of time. Adopter will be entitled for the prescribed privileges like Certificate of Adoption, complimentary pass besides publicity in the leading newspapers.