Ramaiah group forms single holding company

The M.S. Ramaiah Group has consolidated its business interest spanning three companies – John Brown Technologies, AmSoft Information Services and Sun Mart – into a single holding company called Valdel Group. The firm on Tuesday also announced its intention to get into the retail and business process outsourcing sectors.

The company will invest around Rs.35 crore across its new ventures. While Rs.25 crore will be invested in creating a “super-store” in south Bangalore, another Rs.10 crore will go into its BPO foray for a 250 seat centre, said M.J.Shantharaam, Managing Director, Valdel. The company has tied up with Suiwah Corporation to source goods for its retail foray. This 1 lakh square feet store will have products ranging from toys FMCG and apparel to toys and music under one roof. It is also expected to have a variety of outlets such as department stores, super markets, food court and even an entertainment centre.

The company’s BPO outfit will initially work through a 250-seat centre in Bangalore. This centre is to be set up with a Rs.5-crore investment, will provide third party processing services to clients in the telecom, financial services and retail verticals.

The new entity comprises of Valdel Engineers and Constructors (formerly John Brown Technologies), AmSoft, Valdel Retail (formerly Sun Mart) and Valdel’s new BPO venture.

The M S Ramaiah Group’s educational and healthcare institutions continue to operate as in the past. Engineering services provider, Valdel Engineers and Constructors, was established in 1991 in partnership with John Brown Engineers and Constructors, UK. The firm is a 74: 26 joint venture with S & B Engineers & Constructors.