The ₹7,000 Crore Rejection: Who Owns Bisleri Today?

Key Takeaways

• This bottled water brand was started by an Italian businessman in the 1960s but was later bought by an Indian businessman.

• The brand is one of the most trusted names for packaged drinking water in India and holds a large share of the organised bottled water market.

• A famous Indian business family still owns and controls the company today, and a major sale deal that was discussed earlier did not go through.

• A professional CEO with over three decades of FMCG experience manages the daily business operations.

When people in India feel thirsty during a journey or buy a cold bottle of water from a shop, there is a strong chance they pick up this very brand. It has become a part of everyday life across the country, found in railway stations, weddings, offices and homes alike. 

It holds a significant share of the organised packaged water segment in India, making it one of the most recognised beverage names in the country. Let us understand who is the owner of Bisleri, and its history.

Who is the Founder of Bisleri?

Bisleri was originally founded by Signor Felice Bisleri, who was an Italian entrepreneur and chemist. He started the business in Italy in the late nineteenth century to sell mineral water and health tonics. 

The Bisleri name later came to India in 1965, when it was introduced as a small business selling soda water in glass bottles. 

How Was the Company Started?

The Bisleri brand entered India through a small Italian-run setup based in Mumbai. In the beginning, it sold soda water and other beverages, but the response from Indian customers was slow because bottled water was a completely new concept for them. Seeing this struggle, the Italian owners decided to sell the Indian business. 

In 1969, Ramesh Chauhan, who belonged to the well known Chauhan family of the Parle Group, purchased the Bisleri brand in India for around four lakh rupees. He shifted the focus from soda water to purified drinking water, especially as concerns about water quality in Indian cities started increasing. This decision changed the fortune of the brand completely and laid the foundation for what Bisleri is today.

Who is the Owner of Bisleri?

Bisleri International Private Limited is owned by the Chauhan family, headed by Ramesh Chauhan. All shares of Bisleri are held and owned by the Chauhan family, led by Ramesh Chauhan, his wife Zainab Chauhan, and his daughter Jayanti Chauhan. 

A few years ago, there were widespread reports that Ramesh Chauhan was planning to sell the company to the Tata Group. However, that deal did not materialise. Ramesh Chauhan later confirmed that the business was not up for sale, and instead his daughter Jayanti Chauhan, along with a professional team, would oversee operations going forward. 

Jayanti Chauhan currently serves as the Vice Chairperson of Bisleri International and plays an active role in the company's growth, including expansion of its premium Himalayan spring water brand. So, even today, Bisleri remains a family owned Indian company and has not been sold to any outside group.

Who is the Current CEO of Bisleri?

While the Chauhan family owns Bisleri, the company's daily operations are managed by a professional CEO. Angelo George is the Chief Executive Officer of Bisleri International and joined the company in June 2019. 

He carries more than three decades of experience across leading FMCG, consumer durables and pharmaceutical companies. Before joining Bisleri, Angelo George had held leadership positions at companies including Hindustan Unilever, EID Parry, Dabur India and Emami. 

Quick Summary

• The name Bisleri has become so popular in India that many people use it as a term for any bottled water, regardless of the brand.

• The original Bisleri company was started in Milan, Italy, by chemist Felice Bisleri to make mineral water and a quinine based tonic used for malaria prevention.

• Ramesh Chauhan bought the Indian rights to Bisleri for just four lakh rupees in 1969 from its Italian owners.

• Bisleri also makes other beverages such as soda, fruit drinks and the premium Himalayan spring water brand called Vedica.

Bisleri started its journey in Italy but found true success only after an Indian businessman took charge of it and turned it into a household name. 

Today, the brand remains fully owned by the Chauhan family. Bisleri's journey from a small venture to one of India's most trusted water brands shows how strong vision and smart decisions can build a legacy.