A hundred and fifty years ago we started amplifying growth and today we’re as passionate as ever about crafting the unimaginable, delivering the unexpected and leaving no stone unturned in our quest for excellence.
A National Empire: A Global Force
When Esmail Ali, a young man from Gujrat in Western India, began Khoja Mithabhai Nathoo Trading Company in 1841, he may not have known that fifty years on, his son – Habib Esmail would lay the foundations for one of Pakistan’s largest conglomerates – The House of Habib.
Anticipating the needs of brave new world, in 1941, the family ventured into banking and financial services with the birth of Habib Bank and Habib Insurance. A global banking footprint proceeded with the arrival of Habib AG Zurich in the 1960’s. Success followed the name Habib, and soon, a handful of businesses transformed into a national empire with interests in Papersack, laminates and jute.
The groups industrial interests began in the 60’s with the birth of Thal Jute and soon followed by the country’s pioneering concern in packaging, Pakistan Papersack Division in the 70’s. The late 80’s and early 90’s witnessed a formidable partnership between Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota Tsusho Corporation of Japan and the House of Habib – which lead to the creation of Indus Motor Company, the home of the iconic Toyota, here in Pakistan. The group initiated more entities in the 80’s as well; the Balouchistan Laminates Division, Shabbir Tiles, AuVitronics and Agriautos – each of these businesses went onto become leaders in their categories and continue to flourish till today. Following the year 2000, the group’s interests diversified even further into engineering under the Thal name which began operating divisions in electrical, engine and thermal systems. In 2010, House of Habib entered the energy market with a 20% stake in Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company, and our interests in the sector continue to expand with a new business set to begin operations soon.
Today, the House of Habib is proud to be synonymous with quality, known to customers and stakeholders for exemplary services, ethical practices and a commitment to innovation. Our promise to ‘Amplify Growth’ in all endeavors, enables us to strive to uplift the human experience with our diversified portfolio of businesses in every way.
Habib Esmail joins the Khoja Mithabhai Nathoo firm. Within five years he is made partner and nominated as President of the ‘Tamba Kanta Market’
Habib Esmail buys out the other partners and starts expanding business overseas, creating one of the few multinational corporations in the Subcontinent.
Habib Esmail establishes Habib and Sons with his four sons
Habib Esmail’s two sons Mahomedali Habib and Dawood Habib establish Habib Bank Limited, marking the entry of House of Habib in the modern banking industry and financial services
Habib Insurance Company is established
Mahomedali Habib gives a blank cheque to Mr. Jinnah for Pakistan
Habib Public School is formed.
House of Habib enters packaging business by establishing a Jute mill to provide bags for packaging wheat and other agricultural products
Overseas expansion continues with establishment of Habib Bank AG Zurich
Pakistan Papersack Corporation Ltd. Is established to provide bags to cement industry
Habib Bank Ltd. Is lost to nationalisation initiated by Government of Pakistan
House of Habib makes first private investment in ceramics industry in Pakistan with the establishment of Shabbir Tiles Ceramics Ltd.
Baluchistan Laminates, the only unit of its kind in Pakistan to manufacture High Pressure Decorative Laminates at the time is established
The creation of Agriauto Industries Ltd. Takes House of Habib into automobile parts and components sector
Establishment of AuVitronics Ltd. First company to introduce modern technology in producing audio cassettes in Pakistan. Later the company transforms into a supplier of auto parts
Indus Motor Company Ltd. A joint venture between House of Habib, Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyota Tsusho Corporation of Japan, starts operations
The House of Habib makes a definitive comeback in Pakistani banking industry with the establishment of what is today known as Habib Metropolitan Bank
Thal Engineering is established, which specializes in the production of a wide array of functional parts for automobiles
Thal Engineering singned a Technical Agreement with Furkawa Electric Company Japan, for manufacturing wire harnesses.
Makro-Habib Pakistan Ltd. Is the first venture by House of Habib in the retail sector. Seven years later, it merges with METRO to become Habib-METRO Pakistan Pvt. Ltd.
Investment made in Sindh Energy Coal Mining Company (SECMC). Financial close of SECMC was achieved on April 4th 2016
Agriauto Industries sets up a world class stamping facility by the name of Agriauto Stamping Company
Thal Limited enters into joint venture with Toyota Boshuku and Toyota Tsusho, to expand and enhance its product offering into auto sector
After 50 years of experience in educational services, the House of Habib establishes Habib University to develop nation’s youth and enhance their potential
Thal executed a JV Agreement with Novatex Limited for collaboration to develop a 330 MW coal fired power generation plant at Thar, Sindh
Ground breaking of Thal Boshuku, a joint venture of Thal Limited, Toyota Boshuku, Toyota Tuosho Corporation in December 2017
Ground breaking of new wire harness plant at Port Qasim by Thal Electrical
SECMC made history by unearthing the first coal seam from Thar Block II in June 2018 – five months ahead of the schedule.
Hubco joined ThalNova as a 38.3% shareholder on 27th October 2018
SECMC becomes World’s First & Only ISO 45001 Certified Pit Mining Company.