Yes, BEML Limited, formerly called Bharat Earth Movers Limited, is a government company. It is a Schedule-A public sector undertaking, operating under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Founded in May 1964, BEML Limited manufactures a variety of heavy equipment and is the second-largest manufacturer of earth-moving equipment in Asia. Government of India holds 54.03% stakes in the company, with the rest held by institutions, FIIs, retail investors and other entities.
BEML serves multiple core sectors of India under various business verticals, such as defence and aerospace, mining and construction and rail and metro. In addition, the company has three strategic business units.
Here is a quick overview of BEML Limited
| Details | Info |
| Founded | 11th May 1964 |
| Founder | Government of India |
| Headquarters | Bangalore, Karnataka, India |
| Chairman | Shantanu Roy |
| Industry | Defence, Aerospace, Rail and Metro, Mining and Construction |
| Products | Rail Coaches, Mining Equipment, High Mobility Vehicles and more |
| Manufacturing Facilities | Kolar Gold Fields, Bangalore, Mysore, Palakkad |
| Subsidiaries | MAMC Industries, BEML Skybus |
| Official Website | www.bemlindia.in |
Company History
Bharat Earth Movers Limited was incorporated on 11th May 1964 by the Government of India, with technical assistance from the Soviet Union. The company was established to primarily manufacture mining equipment, rail coaches and spare parts. Operations commenced in the year 1965 with a modest turnover of INR 5 crore.
Initial focus of the company was on producing rolling stock for the Indian Railways and earthmoving equipment. Throughout 1970s to 1990s, it expanded its manufacturing capabilities and diversified into defence products, high-mobility vehicles and advanced mining machinery.
In the year 1992, the Government of India divested 25% of its holdings in the company. The company launched a Follow-on Public Offer in July 2007. On 5th October 2007, the company’s name was officially changed from Bharat Earth Movers Limited to BEML Limited. Subsequently, the company evolved into three major business verticals, namely Defence and Aerospace, Mining and Construction and Rail and Metro.
Current Status
BEML Limited operates manufacturing facilities at Kolar Gold Fields Complex near Bangalore, Bangalore Complex, Palakkad Complex and Mysore Complex. KGF Complex is the main centre for design, development, manufacturing, testing and after-sales service of earthmoving equipment like bulldozers and excavators. Bangalore Complex is mainly engaged in the manufacturing of rail coaches. Palakkad Complex deals mainly with HMV trucks and rail coach shells. Mysore Complex produces dump trucks and fuel-efficient diesel engines of various capacities.
BEML has delivered over 18,000 passenger railway coaches to the Indian Railways, more than 8,500 high-mobility vehicles to the defence forces, over 32,500 mining and construction equipment, over 27,500 engines, more than 3,200 trailers and military wagons to the defence services and over 330 pontoon bridge systems to the defence services.
Future Outlook
BEML’s long-term prospects are positive, driven by India’s defence modernisation, railway and metro expansion and mining/infrastructure growth under initiatives like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. The company has a robust order book, primarily in defence and rail and metro segments.
