THE BEGINNING
In 1948, a man from Gujarat, India opened a small hardware store, Rambhai & Co. Ltd. His name was Rambhai Patel. Somewhere in the mundane repetition of opening, selling and closing, a strong foundation was laid, and his three sons later joined him.
That one store is now Ramco Group with more than 40 companies, employing over 4,000 people across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda with a turnover of approximately USD 400 million. A generational success in Building Materials, Print & Packaging, Manufacturing, Office & IT Distribution, Services & Trading and Property.
“Forward Together, Impacting lives in East Africa” is not just our purpose. It’s how we got here.
From one hardware store in Nairobi to a 40-company regional group
The Journey Begins
Rambhai Patel left Gujarat, India, for Kenya. By 1948, he'd opened a small hardware store in Nairobi selling nails, tools and building supplies.
Grows To A Family Business Rambhai's three sons; Kirit, Mahendra and Chandrakant, joined the trade after their studies. Ramco Hardware Limited was established in 1976, followed by ASL Limited's Steel Division: the Group's first step beyond retail.
Diversification Begins
Juma Hardware Store opened in 1985. A year later, Polythene Industries launched, marking Ramco's first move into packaging and printing alongside its steel and hardware venture.
Building a Group
Ramco Printing Works was established in 1994, ASL Packaging in 1996. The 1995 acquisition of Sai Office Supplies opened a new front: office supplies. One hardware store is now a portfolio.
Regional Expansion
Office Mart (1999) and Office Technologies (2003) grew the office-supplies business. Between 2006 and 2007, Ramco crossed its first border, establishing operations in Tanzania.
A Diversified Group
New companies launched across print, services, trading and manufacturing. In 2018, Ramco entered aviation with Safarilink. By decade's end, the Group had five sectors and was in four countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda.
A Regional Powerhouse
More than 40 companies. Four countries. Three generations. What began as one hardware store in 1948 is now one of East Africa's most enduring business houses, still guided by the same values that opened its doors.
Forward Together,
Impacting Lives in
East Africa.
To be the leading conglomerate in Africa through the provision of innovative and future forward solutions
Courage
Honesty & Integrity
We do the right thing every time, with truth as our foundation and trust as our legacy.
Innovation
Commitment
We take ownership, persevere, and deliver our very best in everything we do.
“Our team is dedicated to the successful outcome of all endeavors and to living the Group’s purpose of ‘Improving Lives in East Africa’ to the highest level”.
Amit Patel, Group CEO
People
Years of Operation
Companies
Sectors
Countries
We encourage, we support, we grow by powering each other’s strengths.
Kirit Patel is the Chairman of Ramco Group and heads the Group Investment Committee. His career started in the hardware industry and has been involved in all facets of the Group for the last 50 years. His passion for entrepreneurship and customer service is at the foundation of each company.
C R Patel is the Executive Director of the Ramco Group. He is involved in credit management, business systems and procedures in the Group companies.
Having joined in 1996, Amit Patel is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Ramco Group. He was previously the Managing Director of Ramco Printing Works Ltd. Amit holds a Computer Science degree from Kings College, London. Having a passion for sales and marketing, he is actively involved in marketing across the Group.
Hasit Patel has been with the Ramco Group since 1998 and is currently the Chief Operations Officer of Ramco Group and Managing Director of Platinum Packaging Ltd. He has previously served as the Managing Director of ASL Packaging Ltd. Hasit holds a Bachelor of Engineering – Software from Imperial College, London. With a love for technology, he is involved in the GROUP’S IT and software operation modules.
Kartik Patel has been with the Ramco Group since 1997 and is the Group Chief Finance Officer and the Managing Director of ASL Credit. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Gujarat State and is a qualified CA in India and a qualified CPA in the USA
Prital Patel has been with the Ramco Group since 1996 and is currently the Managing Director of Creative Edge Ltd. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Kings College London. Her additional responsibilities within the Group are branding and marketing.
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4500+
People
75+
Years
40
Companies
6
Sectors
4
Countries
