Williamson Tea Assam Ltd [fomrerly George Williamson (Assam)] (GWAL) is one of the leading tea company in India with plantations mostly in the Northeastern state of Assam. At present, the total area under cultivation is approximately 9,200 hectares spread over various estates located at Mangaldai, Thakurbari, East Boroi, Dhunseri / Moran, Lingri and Doom Dooma all in Assam. BM Khaitan controlled Borelli Tea Holdings Ltd of UK holds 70% of the equity stake in the company.
The company was incorporated in 1977 to take over the Indian undertakings of UK registered 12 Sterling Tea companies. The Sterling companies had eighteen tea estates in Assam. The consideration for taking over the Indian operations was fixed at Rs 49 mln and equity shares of Rs 10 worth Rs 2.45 mln were issued and allotted at par. The total nominal value for the Sterling companies - Williamson Tea Holdings and Borelli Tea Holdings, both of the UK - was credited as fully paid up to the shareholders.
In 1990-91, the company carried out successful experiments in packaging bulk tea on the estates, which resulted in garden-fresh tea reaching the final consumers after a long period in transit and storage.
The factory modernisation programme and introduction of the latest technology in the field are an ongoing process which has resulted in the production of high quality teas at lowest possible cost.
Recently, Borilli Tea Holdings had acquire 61.74% of total paid-up equity shares of the company thereby taking the total holding to 69.96% as a measure of restructuring of shareholding within the group. Both Borilli and GWAL are group companies of BM Khaitan group of companies, which also has management stake in Eveready Industries India and Bishnauth Tea Company.
The company has acquired 80% stake in Nilpur Tea Co. Pvt Ltd., Kolkata thus making it a subsidiary of the company.