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Part IV. Rise and Glory
declared bankruptcy, winding up the business. The equipment was stored in a bonded warehouse. When Meghji Pethraj came to know about the equipment, he approached Devjibhai of Hirji Kara Company and offered to buy the equipment and set up a company to manufacture aluminum saucepans and Devjibhai would manage the company to which Devjibhai agreed. Meghjibhai established Kenya Aluminum Works Limited, the first industrial company owned by Oshwals in Mombasa. Premchand Vrajpal was the first Chairman of the Board of Directors. In 1947 A.D., when the Premchand Raichand group was dissolved, the Chandaria family became majority owners of the factory. The factory has expanded considerably and employs over 1000 people at present and is known as Kalu Works. The Mombasa factory was a gold mine that enabled the Chandaria family to expand its business empire to over 62 countries.
In 1930 A.D., Meghji Pethraj and Gosar Mepa Maru started a company called Kenya Builders and Timber Company. Others who joined this company were Amritlal Raishi, Hemchand Meghji and Premchand Devshi Dodhia.
In 1928 A.D., Premchand Vrajpal in partnership with Meghji Pethraj set up a small plant to cut into pieces wattle tree bark near the Chania Falls in Thika. The bark was exported to many countries for use in the leather tanning process. The owners saw the financial advantage of processing bark locally, therefore, in 1934 A.D.; they set up a company called Kenya Tannin Extract Company Limited. Machinery was imported and a large plant was built near Thika. Raishi Rupshi Dodhia was its first manager. Khetshi Nathoo Gudhka followed him. This venture was very successful and brought prosperity to Meghjibhai and his brother-in-laws Hemrajbhai and Khetshibhai.
In 1936 A.D., Premchand Raichand Company started the Kenya Cotton and Produce Company at Sagana to process cotton. Another plant was set up in Meru.
