Balmer Lawrie

What Balmer Lawrie does

Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd. is a 159-year-old Miniratna-I Public Sector Enterprise under India's Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, founded in 1867 by Stephen George Balmer and Alexander Lawrie in Kolkata and incorporated in 1924 (CIN L15492WB1924GOI004835). It is publicly listed on BSE and NSE under the ticker BALMLAWRIE, with the Government of India retaining control as the majority owner and the company subject to DIPAM guidelines for central public sector enterprises.

The company operates a diversified portfolio across four pillars: integrated logistics services (multi-modal freight forwarding by air, ocean and land, third-party logistics, container freight stations in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, customs brokerage, project logistics, a Central Warehousing facility at Andhra Pradesh Medtech Zone, an MMLH joint venture with Visakhapatnam Port Trust, and licensed Special Freight Train Operator rail logistics), travel and vacation services under the Vacations Exotica brand with Ministry of Finance authorization for government employee ticketing, industrial manufacturing (greases and lubricants under the Balmerol brand, leather chemicals, and industrial packaging), and Refinery and Oil Field Services. The logistics backbone combines a multi-modal platform integrating road, rail, air and sea freight with cold-chain infrastructure spanning temperatures from -25°C to +25°C, supported by warehouse management systems with real-time track and trace.

Balmer Lawrie monetizes through transaction-based fees on logistics and freight services, unit-based pricing on manufactured greases, lubricants, leather chemicals and industrial packaging, and commission-based revenue on travel booking. Revenue is generated via direct enterprise sales teams targeting government entities, large manufacturers and trading houses, complemented by channel partners in freight forwarding networks (WCA, FIATA, JCTrans and AMTOI) and pan-India regional offices; FY26 consolidated sales reached Rs 2,717 crore and consolidated net profit Rs 276.60 crore. Key initiatives underway include AI-driven documentation automation with ULIP integration, a planned SAP S/4HANA migration, the ten-year NMDC Steel rail logistics contract and the JNPA SEZ warehousing sub-lease with Welspun One.

Name

Balmer Lawrie

Legal name

Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd.

Website

https://balmerlawrie.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1867

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Balmer Lawrie is an Indian Miniratna-I Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas providing multi-modal logistics, cold chain, freight forwarding, customs brokerage, rail logistics, government travel booking, and industrial lubricants and packaging to government and enterprise clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Logistics Services

NAICS

Warehousing and Storage (4931), General Warehousing and Storage (49311)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Public Warehousing & Storage (4220)

akta.pro primary industry

Food-Grade Warehousing & Contract Storage (TLAIACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Temperature-Controlled Air Freight (Cool Chain) (TLACAMAF), Chemicals & Hazmat Transload (Regulated Goods) (TLALAFAH)

Keywords

• Freight forwarding services
• Cold chain logistics
• Third party logistics
• Industrial lubricants manufacturing
• Customs brokerage services

Headquarters

HQ city

Kolkata

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Logistics Services: Third-party logistics (3PL) services including freight forwarding (air, ocean, land), warehousing and distribution, cold chain solutions, customs brokerage, and rail logistics. Revenue generated through service fees, freight charges, and warehouse storage fees.
2. Travel and Vacations: Travel booking services for government employees, vacation packages, and ticketing services. Revenue from booking commissions and service charges.
3. Manufacturing - Greases & Lubricants: Manufacturing and sale of industrial greases, lubricants, and specialty chemicals for industrial applications.
4. Industrial Packaging: Manufacturing of industrial packaging solutions including steel drums and packaging materials.
5. Refinery & Oil Field Services: Specialized services for oil refineries and oil field operations including tank cleaning, waste management, and maintenance services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Balmer Lawrie is a diversified Indian Public Sector Enterprise offering integrated third-party logistics (3PL) services spanning air, ocean, land, and rail freight forwarding; warehousing and distribution at CFS facilities and multi-modal logistics hubs; temperature-controlled cold chain solutions (-25°C to +25°C); customs brokerage; project logistics; and licensed Special Freight Train Operations (SFTO). Beyond logistics, the company manufactures industrial greases and lubricants (Balmerol brand), industrial packaging, and leather chemicals, and operates authorised government employee travel and vacation services (Vacations Exotica) under the Ministry of Finance framework.

Product overview

Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd. is a Miniratna-I Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, operating as a diversified conglomerate with multiple business units. The company offers an integrated portfolio of logistics services (including Air Freight, Ocean Freight, Land Freight, 3PL, Warehousing, Cold Chain, Project Logistics, Express Services, Chartering, Rail Logistics, Customs Broker, and Container Freight Stations), travel and vacation services, industrial products (greases, lubricants, industrial packaging, leather chemicals), and refinery services. The logistics services are delivered through dedicated portals including ls.balmerlawrie.com, li.balmerlawrie.com, bllogicold.com, and vacationsexotica.com, while products like Balmerol serve the lubricants market. The company operates from its Kolkata headquarters with pan-India presence through regional offices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Vacations Exotica: Travel and vacation services for leisure travellers and government employees.
• Balmerol
• BL Logicold

Products and services

• Air Freight Services Air freight services providing international and domestic cargo transportation with real-time tracking and global connectivity for enterprise customers across industries.
• Ocean Freight Services Ocean freight solutions including Full Container Load (FCL), Less than Container Load (LCL), and specialised services for oversized and hazardous cargo for EXIM and domestic customers.
• Land Freight Services Land freight solutions including Full Truck Load (FTL), Less than Truck Load (LTL), and specialised services for oversized and hazardous cargo across India.
• Project Logistics Project logistics services for large-scale, high-value, and complex logistics projects including detailed planning, route surveys, and specialised engineering services.
• Express Movement Services Express shipment solutions with strategic partnerships for rapid and cost-efficient delivery of urgent cargo.
• Chartering Services Air and sea chartering solutions for time-sensitive, hazardous, over-dimensional, and specialised cargo.
• Third Party Logistics (3PL) Third-party logistics services with hub and spoke model, Grade-A warehousing, temperature-controlled facilities, and comprehensive supply chain management.
• Warehousing and Distribution Warehousing and distribution services in Kolkata and Coimbatore with both dedicated and shared options, equipped with advanced technology.
• Cold Chain Solutions (BL Logicold) Cold chain logistics solutions with four advanced facilities maintaining temperatures from -25°C to +25°C for pharmaceuticals, perishables, and sensitive goods.
• Container Freight Stations (CFS) Container Freight Stations strategically located in Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata with advanced infrastructure for secure cargo handling.
• Customs Broker Customs brokerage services at major Indian ports including Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, and Bangalore with real-time tracking.
• Rail Logistics (SFTO) Licensed Special Freight Train Operations for transportation of hazardous materials, oversized equipment, perishable goods, and high-value commodities.
• Travel & Vacations (Vacations Exotica) Travel and vacation booking services for government employees and general public, including ticketing and holiday packages, authorised by the Ministry of Finance for Government-account travel.
• Greases & Lubricants (Balmerol) Manufacturing and distribution of industrial greases and lubricants for various industrial applications under the Balmerol brand.
• Industrial Packaging Industrial packaging solutions for various industries including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. The Navi Mumbai facility received the CII Pinnacle Award Special Recognition in 2024 for Excellence in Manufacturing.
• Leather Chemicals Manufacturing and distribution of leather chemicals for leather processing, footwear, and related industries. The unit received SEIAA Tamil Nadu environmental clearance for production capacity expansion (October 2024 - March 2025 compliance).
• Refinery & Oil Field Services (ROFS) Refinery and oil field support services including operations and maintenance for the oil & gas sector.
• Multi-Modal Logistics Hub (Visakhapatnam) Multi-Modal Logistics Hub at Visakhapatnam operated through Joint Venture with Visakhapatnam Port Trust for integrated EXIM and domestic cargo handling.
• Centralized Warehouse (APMTZ Visakhapatnam) Centralized warehousing at Andhra Pradesh Medtech Zone in partnership with APMTZ for medical and tech cargo with advanced technology and infrastructure.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8% YoY revenue growth to ₹2,717 crore in FY26
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments11 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Welspun OnecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026Five-year sub-lease agreement for approximately 65,000 sq ft of Grade A warehousing space at WTC Nhava Sheva within JNPA SEZ. This is Welspun One's first partnership with a Government of India Central Public Sector Enterprise. The facility supports Balmer Lawrie's SEZ warehousing and port-linked logistics operations, expected to be operational by early 2027.
• Titagarh Rail SystemsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 March 2026Rs 44.41 crore order for leasing two rakes to transport HR coils, sheets, and plates across Indian Railways. Contract involves 86 wagons, commencing April 2026.
• Pan IIT Alumni IndiacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 January 2026MoU signed at PanIIT Tech4Bharat Summit in Chennai to provide IIT alumni with easier access to travel, logistics, and relocation services. Partnership offers a dedicated digital platform enabling end-to-end travel solutions, LTC-compliant government airfares, relocation services, and supply-chain support through a government-backed, PSU-compliant system.
• Visakhapatnam Port TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture to establish Multi-Modal Logistics Hub (MMLH) at Visakhapatnam. The facility integrates various modes of transport for managing EXIM and domestic cargo with advanced infrastructure and technology.
• World Cargo Alliance (WCA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMembership in WCA network providing global freight forwarding connections and access to international logistics network of over 4500 members.
• FIATAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational Freight Forwarders Association membership for global logistics network and industry standards.
• Association of Multimodal Transport Operators of India (AMTOI)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorActive member and gold sponsor of AMTOI, the only Pan India trade body in shipping and logistics with over 300 MTO members.
• Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (Kolkata)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates Port-Link Express direct rail line from Kolkata to Haldia as part of port operations. Partnership for direct China Calcutta Service and cargo movement between dock systems.
• Andhra Pradesh Medtech Zone (APMTZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to offer state-of-the-art Central Warehousing solution in Visakhapatnam with advanced technology and infrastructure for efficient client service.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Delhivery: Tech-enabled Indian logistics unicorn offering express parcel, freight, warehousing, and cross-border services. Represents the digital-native private competitor pressuring traditional freight forwarders like Balmer Lawrie in contract and 3PL lanes.

Direct peers

• Snowman Logistics: Indian temperature-controlled logistics specialist operating one of the largest cold chain networks. Directly competes with Balmer Lawrie's BL Logicold cold chain business for pharma and perishable volumes.
• Blue Dart Express: India's largest express air-cargo integrator, part of the DHL Group, providing time-sensitive air and ground express services. Compares to Balmer Lawrie's air freight, chartering, and express movement services.
• Gati (Allcargo-owned): Indian express distribution and supply-chain subsidiary of Allcargo Logistics, providing surface and air-express logistics across enterprise verticals — comparable to Balmer Lawrie's land freight, express, and 3PL offerings.
• Container Corporation of India (CONCOR): Indian public-sector rail container logistics major that mirrors Balmer Lawrie's SFTO rail ambitions and PSU-backed contract advantages. Most directly comparable on the rail logistics and CFS dimensions of Balmer Lawrie's portfolio.
• Aegis Logistics: Indian oil, gas, and chemicals logistics specialist with terminal, storage, and supply-chain operations. Overlaps with Balmer Lawrie's Refinery & Oil Field Services and chemical logistics segments.
• Mahindra Logistics: Indian enterprise 3PL with warehousing, transportation, and supply-chain management across automotive, FMCG, and pharma — overlapping directly with Balmer Lawrie's automotive, manufacturing, and pharma segments with a private-sector tech-enabled contrast.
• Allcargo Logistics: Indian freight forwarding and contract logistics player with LCL/FCL capabilities and CFS operations; a comparable EXIM-focused logistics provider competing for many of the same enterprise customers as Balmer Lawrie.
• Transport Corporation of India (TCI): Multi-modal Indian 3PL with similar freight forwarding, warehousing, and supply-chain services across automotive, chemicals, and industrial verticals. Closely comparable on customer mix and freight forwarding scope.

Broad incumbents

• DHL Supply Chain India: Global logistics leader's Indian arm offering contract logistics, warehousing, freight forwarding, and supply-chain solutions. Comparable as a broad incumbent serving many of the same multinational and Indian enterprise customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Balmer_Lawrie
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCViZNEiGdTNnD_W60OEEP9w
• Facebookfacebook.com/balmerlawrie
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/balmer-lawrie-&-co.-ltd./about

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Balmer Lawrie