LATE.
MR.EBRAHIM DAWOOD RAJEDIA (Founder Of Edr Group)
A JOURNEY TOWARDS SUCCESS…
Mr. Ebrahim Rajedia, the youngest of four children born to Mr. Dawood Karim Mohammed Rajedia and Mrs. Halima Dawood Rajedia, came into the world on March 1, 1937, in Zafripura, a small village in North Gujarat. His grandfather had earned a reputation as a well-established and respected individual in the community.
Unfortunately, Mr. Dawood Rajedia struggled to maintain the status, position, and reputation of his esteemed father. Falling into poor company, he faced significant challenges, including financial difficulties. In an effort to expand his agriculture-based business, he borrowed money against his land from financiers. A friend also entrusted Mr. Dawood with his land for cultivation during this period.
Tragically, Mr. Dawood was unable to repay the loans, leading to the loss of not only his own land but also his friend’s. This incident caused a rift between the two friends. In 1944, while working in the fields, Mr. Dawood Rajedia was fatally attacked by unknown assailants. His untimely death left the family devastated, with young Ebrahim, only seven years old, facing an uncertain future.
For his widowed mother, Mrs. Halima D. Rajedia, survival became a monumental challenge. With four young children—two sons and two daughters—to care for, she had no choice but to seek refuge at her father’s residence in Pirojpura, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the family.
Mrs. Halima, a courageous woman, took up odd labor jobs to feed her family after the tragic loss of her husband. Financial constraints delayed young Ebrahim’s admission to school. At the age of seven, he began his formal education while simultaneously working part-time at a local tea stall to support the family.
However, their financial situation worsened, and in 1953, a 12-year-old Ebrahim made the difficult decision to leave his education behind and move to Bombay in search of better opportunities, carrying only Rs. 5 in his pocket. With no support system in the city, Ebrahim worked as a waiter at Noor-E-Islamia Hotel for nearly eight months. The demanding work took a toll on his health, forcing him to return to Pirojpura to recuperate. By then, he had managed to save Rs. 150 from his initial earnings.
After a month of recovery, Ebrahim returned to Bombay with renewed determination. This time, he secured a job at the Arabia Hotel, where he worked for three years as a floor/table cleaner and cook’s helper. His monthly salary of Rs. 150, supplemented by tips from patrons, enabled him to survive. He ate meals at the hotel and spent his nights sleeping under the open sky on the footpath, with only a jute sack for bedding.
Ebrahim’s perseverance paid off when, over the next seven years, he rose to the position of Mehta (supervisor) at a cattle stable (tabela) in Oshiwara, Jogeshwari. While working at the stable, he took a bold step toward securing his future by applying for a taxi license, marking the beginning of yet another chapter in his remarkable journey.
In 1960, at the age of 23, Mr. Ebrahim Rajedia married Ms. Khadija Rajedia. Due to a lack of proper accommodation, he was unable to move his family from Gujarat to Bombay at the time. Determined to improve their circumstances, he returned to his job at the cattle stable and worked there for two more years until he secured his taxi license.
For the next three years, Mr. Ebrahim traversed the streets of Bombay as a taxi driver. By 1966, he had saved Rs. 11,000, which he used to begin his journey toward financial stability. With this amount, he initiated the construction of two houses in Gujarat, costing Rs. 21,000. His strong rapport with the local community helped him secure a loan of Rs. 10,000 to complete the project. In 1967, Mr. Ebrahim and his wife were blessed with their first son, Abdul Razzaque. However, life demanded progress. He returned to Bombay and procured a taxi permit, taking out a loan of Rs. 16,400 to purchase the vehicle. Partnering with his brother, Mr. Ebrahim worked night shifts while hiring a driver for the day shifts. Within 18 months, he successfully repaid both the taxi loan and the house loan.
By 1969, Mr. Ebrahim had saved enough to move his family to Bombay. He purchased five rooms and continued expanding his endeavors with his brother as a trusted partner. The following year, he cleared the loan on a second taxi, and in 1971, he achieved another milestone by acquiring a truck with a loan from Bank of Baroda.
The trucking venture proved lucrative, and in 1972, Mr. Ebrahim and his brother acquired six second-hand trucks from M/s Vijay Transport. They retained 50% credit on the trucks and brought in sleeping partners for the remaining amount. This marked a significant leap forward, and with three taxis and seven trucks, he officially launched his own transport business under the banner Sidhpur Golden Transport. Offices were established at both Sidhpur and Bhendi Bazar to manage the growing operations.
In 1973, with mutual consent, Mr. Ebrahim and his brother decided to separate their business interests. The parting was amicable, with no ill feelings. After the division, Mr. Ebrahim retained five trucks, two taxis, a private car, and three rooms in Bombay, as well as his house in Gujarat. He was now able to move his family into a one-bedroom flat, marking a significant improvement in their living standards.
This phase of Mr. Ebrahim Rajedia's life exemplifies resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to building a brighter future for his family.
In 1973, he laid the foundation of Leak Proof Works. Initially the company that was involved in Leak Proof works was running at a loss and they approached Mr. Rajedia for a loan amount of Rs.10,000/-. Mr.Rajedia studied the pros and cons and came to the conclusion that the loan-seekers would never be able to repay the loan, so he proposed a 50-50% partnership with Mr.Bhola. As per the agreement Mr.Rajedia was to look after the financial matters only. The rest was Mr.Bhola’s lookout. Mr.Rajedia felt this business needed further investments to grow. Although his transport business was soaring high, he sold off his trucks and taxis one after the other to invest in Leak Proof Works. Transport business was getting him money but he desired respectability as well. Dignity he would earn in the engineering business. Such a major step, oblivious of the risks involved, he plunged himself in the new business. Once again was short to run the household, the only treasure he held tight on to was his undaunted faith in the ALMIGHTY. As a result of hardwork and expertise, the business began capturing the indigenous market. By now Mr.Rajedia stood financially sound. It was but natural for other national and international companies to approach Leak Proof Works for a joint venture. The proposals were rejected as Leak Proof decided to work independently. In 1983, Mr.Rajedia bought a 30,000 sq.ft. land for Rs. 4 lacs in Malad East, with the intention of setting up a Marble Trading business. Knowing very well that this was Mr.Rajedia’s money, Mr.Bhola began pestering him for partnership in the land. Irritated by the continuous demands Mr.Rajedia sold off the land and parted with 20% profit, which he gave to the Bhola family. This is a clear indication of the simplicity of the man, Mr.Rajedia and the cunningness of Mr.Bhola who succeeded in getting 20% profit from a land in which he hadn’t invested even a single penny. This marked the beginning of a cold war between the two partners. Backed by four brothers, Mr.Bhola increased his pressure on Mr.Rajedia who till then stood all alone. In 1989 Mr.Abdul Razzaque Rajedia and Mr.Mohammed Saeed Rajedia, the two sons of Mr.Rajedia stood by him. Mr.A.R.Rajedia took charge of the engineering department and Mr.M.S.Rajedia began supervising the production department. This made the Bhola family very uncomfortable, to the extent that he got Mr.Rajedia to agree that no third person will interfere in their business. It was also agreed by both that none of them would start the same business individually. Mr.Bhola violated the terms of the agreement and set up the same business on his own. As per the terms of the agreement M/s Leak Proof Engineering India Pvt.Ltd. fined Mr.Bhola’s family with a penalty of Rs.11 lacs. Mr.Rajedia at this juncture thought it best to start his own enterprise and therefore in 1989 the Rajedia family set up their own Pump Manufacturing Plant.
In 1992, a pivotal moment arrived when Mr. Ebrahim Rajedia successfully won the bid for Leak Proof Engineering Pvt. Ltd. on July 11th, 1992. With this achievement, the sky was the limit, and there was no looking back. By the end of that year, Leak Proof Engineering Pvt. Ltd., under the leadership of Mr. A.R. Rajedia as Managing Director, had earned both national and international acclaim.
In 1994, the Rajedia Pumps operation was relocated to their hometown in North Gujarat, marking a significant milestone in their long and arduous journey. However, life brought a devastating loss. On January 31st, 1997, Mr. Rajedia’s beloved wife, who had been his silent yet unwavering pillar of support throughout his struggles, passed away. The grief was immense, but life moved on. Two years later, on January 27th, 1999, Mr. A.R. Rajedia was also taken by destiny.
In the wake of these emotional losses, Mr. Rajedia’s determination did not waver. He entrusted his second son, Mr. M.S. Rajedia, with the role of Vice-Chairman, while Mr. Erfan Rajedia was appointed Managing Director and Mr. Ashfaque Rajedia took on the position of Director. The family united to strategize the next steps for their thriving business, beginning with the relocation of Leak Proof Engineering Pvt. Ltd. to North Gujarat. On February 15th, 2005, the entire plant was successfully shifted to their hometown.
In 2005, EDR Group was formed as a parent company to bring all their ventures under one umbrella. In 2006, Leak Proof Cast Pvt. Ltd. was established with Mr. M.S. Rajedia as its Managing Director. The group's expansion continued in 2009, when they acquired Speq India Pvt. Ltd., which was renamed Leak Proof Steel Plant Projects Pvt. Ltd., with Mr. Arvind G. Joshi as the Managing Director and Mr. Ashfaque Rajedia as Director.
The Rajedia family’s entrepreneurial spirit did not stop there. In 2012, they ventured into the auto parts industry with the founding of Leak Proof Auto Parts Pvt. Ltd. This new business aimed to meet the increasing demand of the industries, further expanding the Rajedia legacy.
This story is far from over. With the third generation joining the family business, there is much more to be done. From humble beginnings with nothing but determination, Mr. Ebrahim Rajedia has built a family-based conglomerate that honors his struggle and makes him proud. The journey of the Rajedia family continues to unfold, with countless opportunities still ahead.
B-1 EDR Industrial Estate At.Pirojpura ,
Near Chhapi Pin – 385 210,
Taluka Vadgam
Dist. Banaskantha,
North Gujarat. INDIA
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