The inspiration behind the brand Keventer, which is now over 125 years old, was the man who revolutionised the dairy industry - Edward Keventer – A true pioneer in the field of agriculture and animal husbandry, especially scientific cattle breeding, nutrition and pasteurised dairy milk.
The 1800s were an exciting time for dairy and agriculture. Northern Europe was coming alive to farming, both as a 'paying business' and as a scientifically teachable discipline that enabled the industrial organisation of farm processes and the marketing of its produce.
Edward Keventer’s contributions gave birth to modern Indian scientific, industry-scale dairy farming, processing and marketing of milk and dairy products.
Carrying with him the knowledge of much-evolved dairy farming from Sweden, Edward Keventer had come to India fully prepared to mechanize, demonstrate, market and deploy the world’s first generation of modern dairy equipment.
He immediately figured out the most critical precondition for successful dairying - "Without radical improvements in India’s cattle-breeding and husbandry – the supply chain –Dairying could not be profitable."
Edward Keventer based his actions on his instincts and expertise judiciously:
He soon achieved a business empire of his own- an instrument of his foresight, resourcefulness, persistence and benchmarked to excellence.
As a person always wanting to keep a low profile, Edward Keventer remains largely unknown and unsung. But he left behind a name and brand which still resonates, decades after his passing, across generations.
Established in 1986, Keventer Agro Limited acquired the rights of Edward Keventer’s operations. The Company aims to take the legacy of over 130+ years in FMCG to new heights, while remaining committed to Edward Keventer's philosophy and beliefs.
The man who helped Keventer to emerge as an iconic brand
Mr. Mahendra Kumar Jalan, a noted industrialist, is the Chairman Emeritus of the Keventer Group and is a man of vision and foresight. This can be witnessed in the way the Group has grown from strength to strength since its inception.
A graduate from St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, and an alumni member of Harvard Business School, he has business interests in dairy, food processing, real estate, port, steel, and other industrial sectors. He acquired the rights of operations of Edward Keventer Ltd. in the year 1986, and this led to a huge change in the direction of the organisation.
He has extensive knowledge in international marketing, especially on the trends in UK, USA, Germany, and Japan. He is the promoter of Metro Dairy, the first joint sector dairy project under operation flood of World Bank and is a board member of various companies including Bengal NRI Complex Ltd., Keventer Projects Ltd. and Edward Keventer Pvt. Ltd.
He has, for years, spearheaded a business empire which has added value to many lives across the country and has overseen the diversification of his Group into myriad industries. Mr. Jalan’s knowledge, efficiency, and experience have enabled Keventer to emerge as an iconic brand.
He has served as the French Honorary Consul General and, is currently the Honorary Consul of Ireland in Kolkata. He is also a trustee member of Heritage School and Heritage School of Technology and a member of several Chambers of Commerce.
Mr. Jalan is an active Rotarian and has received the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Excellence Award for his outstanding contribution to society. Not only has he made a mark for himself, but has also touched many lives with his generosity and willingness to help people. He is a philanthropist, a humanitarian, and a guiding force for many and his name, stature, and legacy is noteworthy.
