15 Indian companies that are most global

With a population of over a billion and growing, India still remains a big consumption story that’s attracting every prominent multinational to either expand its presence here or set up shop if it didn’t have a presence.

Some of the Indian companies, however, are busy expanding their global footprints. They are going abroad to secure natural assets (such as mines or oil fields) or intellectual ones (intellectual properties) or because their major markets are located in other parts of the world.

This expansion has created multinational giants from India that are as global as any of their counterparts elsewhere.

To find the most internationalised Indian companies, Indian School of Business (ISB) along with Brazil's Fundacao Dom Cabral did a survey based on Transnationality Index (TNI) that was developed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

The TNI helps to measure internationalisation of a company.

The top 15 transnational companies earned 75 per cent of their total revenues from international operations, held 57 per cent of their total assets overseas, and employed 20 per cent of their overall workforce abroad.

Here’s a list of 15 companies that have the most international exposure.

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ONGC Videsh

The wholly owned subsidiary of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, this company was rechristened in 1989 from earstwhile Hydrocarbons India Private Limited.

Over a period of time, ONGC Videsh or OVL has grown to become the second-largest E&P (exploration and production) company in India both in terms of oil production and oil and gas reserve holdings.

The company grew its global footprints with acquisition of oil and gas assets and now has projects in 16 countries.

Rank: 1

Transnationality Index: 77 per cent

Total revenues: Rs 22,700 crore (Rs 227 billion)

Revenues from foreign operations: Rs 22,100 crore (Rs 221 billion)

Total assets: Rs 25,500 crore (Rs 255 billion)

Assets abroad: Rs 25,200 crore (Rs 252 billion)

Total employees: 246

Employees abroad: 83

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Tata Steel

Established in 1907, it is among the top ten global steel companies in the world with an annual crude steel capacity of 28 million tonnes per annum (mtpa).

The company is now one of the world's most geographically-diversified steel producers, with operations in 26 countries and a commercial presence in over 50 countries.

Its $12.98 billion acquisition of Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus in 2006 was one of the biggest acquisitions abroad by an Indian company.

Rank: 2

Transnationality Index: 63 per cent

Total revenues: Rs 132,900 crore (Rs 1,329 billion)

Revenues from foreign operations: Rs 97,700 crore (Rs 977 billion)

Total assets: Rs 125,800 crore (Rs 1,258 billion)

Assets abroad: Rs 75,700 crore (Rs 757 billion)

Total employees: 81,622

Employees abroad: 45,829

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Tata Global Beverages

It started out as an international company in 1962 with a joint venture between Tata Sons and James Finlay and Company, a UK-based Tea plantation. It was called Tata Finlay.

After the partner opted out in 1983, the company was rebranded as Tata Tea. The company set out on a path with global ambitions starting with the acquisition of Tetley in 2000. Since then, it has acquired Good Earth, Jemca, Vitax, Eight O’ Clock Coffee and Himalayan.

When Starbucks was looking for a partner in India, Tata Global Beverages was the obvious choice. Both the company has a 50:50 joint venture called Tata Starbucks.

Rank: 3

Transnationality Index: 60 per cent

Total revenues: Rs 6,600 crore (Rs 66 billion)

Revenues from foreign operations: Rs 4,600 crore (Rs 46 billion)

Total assets: Rs 6,400 crore (Rs 64 billion)

Assets abroad: Rs 5,000 crore (Rs 50 billion)

Total employees: 2,218

Employees abroad: 732

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Motherson Sumi Systems

The company came into existence as a joint venture between India’s Samvardhana Motherson Group and Japan's Sumitomo Wiring Systems.

The company is a leading automotive mirror and wiring harness manufacturer for passenger cars.

After growing organically for many years and having presence in all important markets, the company acquired Visiocorp and Peguform to further expand its presence. It now has offices and manufacturing units in 24 international and 11 Indian locations.

Rank: 4

Transnationality Index: 60 per cent

Total revenues: Rs 14,900 crore (Rs 149 billion)

Revenues from foreign operations: Rs 10,500 crore (Rs 105 billion)

Total assets: Rs 12,000 crore (Rs 120 billion)

Assets abroad: Rs 8,900 crore (Rs 89 billion)

Total employees: 44,208

Employees abroad: 15,359

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HCL Technologies

A $4.5 billion global technology company, HCL Technologies has offices in 31 countries. It is also the fifth largest IT company in India.

HCL technologies came into existence in 1991 when the parent company – HCL Enterprise – spun off its R&D division to focus on the growing IT services industry.

Rank: 5

Transnationality Index: 57 per cent

Total revenues: Rs 20,800 crore (Rs 208 billion)

Revenues from foreign operations: Rs 19,900 crore (Rs 199 billion)

Total assets: Rs 18,300 crore (Rs 183 billion)

Assets abroad: Rs 10,800 crore (Rs 108 billion)

Total employees: 84,319

Employees abroad: 15,201

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Tata Communications

A telecommunication company, it owns one of the most advanced and largest submarine cable networks, a Tier-1 IP network, with connectivity to more than 200 countries. The company also runs data centre and has the country’s largest one in Pune.

Tata Communications acquired Canada-based Teleglobe and India’s DishnetDSL, and is the largest shareholder in South African operator Neotel.

Rank: 6

Transnationality Index: 56 per cent

Total revenues: Rs 14,200 crore (Rs 142 billion)

Revenues from foreign operations: Rs 10,700 crore (Rs 107 billion)

Total assets: Rs 13,400 crore (Rs 134 billion)

Assets abroad: Rs 8,600 crore (Rs 86 billion)

Total employees: 7,954

Employees abroad: 2,276

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Hindalco Industries

The flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, it is the world's largest aluminium rolling company and one of the biggest producers of primary aluminium in Asia.

Post the acquisition of Novelis Inc. in 2007, Hindalco became one of the top five aluminium majors in the world and the largest vertically integrated aluminium company in India. Today it has footprint in 13 countries.

Rank: 7

Transnationality Index: 55 per cent

Total revenues: Rs 80,800 crore (Rs 808 billion)

Revenues from foreign operations: Rs 61,800 crore (Rs 618 billion)

Total assets: Rs 88,500 crore (Rs 885 billion)

Assets abroad: Rs 46,600 crore (Rs 466 billion)

Total employees: 33,600

Employees abroad: 12,000

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Suzlon Energy

The company is ranked one of the world’s biggest wind turbine supplier, in terms of cumulative installed capacity. Its global spread extends across Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa and North and South America.

It has over 21,500 MW of wind energy capacity installed in 30 countries and operations across 33 countries, according to the company’s website.

Rank: 8

Transnationality Index: 55 per cent

Total revenues: Rs 21,100 crore (Rs 211 billion)

Revenues from foreign operations: Rs 13,300 crore (Rs 133 billion)

Total assets: Rs 32,600 crore (Rs 326 billion)

Assets abroad: Rs 22,300 crore (Rs 223 billion)

Total employees: 12,951

Employees abroad: 4,179

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Tata Motors

World's fourth largest truck and bus manufacturer, the company has operations in the UK, South Korea, Thailand, Spain, South Africa, and Indonesia. It’s products include passenger cars, trucks, vans, coaches, buses and military vehicles.

Tata Motors is the world's eighteenth-largest motor vehicle manufacturing company, fourth-largest truck manufacturer and second-largest bus manufacturer by volume.

Established in 1945, the company entered commercial vehicle segment in 1954 after forming a joint venture with Daimler-Benz.

The company has grown consistently through acquisitions after launching indigenously-built passenger car Tata Indica. It’s notable acquisitions include Daewoo Commercial Vehicles Company, Hispano Carrocera, and Jaguar-Land Rover.

Rank: 9

Transnationality Index: 53 per cent

Total revenues: Rs 165,700 crore (Rs 1,657 billion)

Revenues from foreign operations: Rs 111,500 crore (Rs 1,115 billion)

Total assets: Rs 124,600 crore (Rs 1,246 billion)

Assets abroad: Rs 76,100 crore (Rs 761 billion)

Total employees: 59,759

Employees abroad: 18,090

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Dr Reddy's Laboratories

It’s founder Anji Reddy was the poster boy Indian pharmaceutical industry. The company started as a supplier to domestic companies and soon started exports. Over time it invested in intellectual properties.

Like other manufacturers listed here, Dr Reddy’s too took the acquisition route for growth. Among its biggest acquisition was Betapharm for which the company paid 480 million euros.

Today it has manufacturing plants and research centres around the globe including markets such as US, UK and Mexico.

Rank: 10

Transnationality Index: 49 per cent

Total revenues: Rs 9,700 crore (Rs 97 billion)

Revenues from foreign operations: Rs 8,000 crore (Rs 80 billion)

Total assets: Rs 11,900 crore (Rs 119 billion)

Assets abroad: Rs 5,100 crore (Rs 51 billion)

Total employees: 15,200

Employees abroad: 3,007

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Jubilant Life Sciences

While rest of the pharmaceutical industry was expanding manufacturing, Jubilant Life Science also focussed on getting outsourcing research deals from global pharma giants. Over time is has established itself as one of the biggest Custom Research and Manufacturing Services player globally.

The Company has presence in India, USA, Canada, Europe and China and customers across 98 countries.

Rank: 11

Transnationality Index: 47 per cent

Total revenues: Rs 4,300 crore (Rs 43 billion)

Revenues from foreign operations: Rs 3,000 crore (Rs 30 billion)

Total assets: Rs 7,800 crore (Rs 78 billion)

Assets abroad: Rs 3,700 crore (Rs 37 billion)

Total employees: 6,327

Employees abroad: 1,493

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Tata Consultancy Services

Country’s largest IT company, is also one of the most valuable. TCS operates in 44 countries and has more than 199 offices across the world.

It has a long list of acquisition in countries including France (Acquired Alti for $97.8 million), US (acquired Citigroup Global Services Limited for $512 m) and Switzerland (acquired TKS-Teknosoft $80.4 million).

The company was founded in 1968 and its early contracts included providing punched card services to sister company TISCO (now Tata Steel).

Rank: 12

Transnationality Index: 44 per cent

Total revenues: Rs 49,300 crore (Rs 493 billion)

Revenues from foreign operations: Rs 45,100 crore (Rs 451 billion)

Total assets: Rs 41,400 crore (Rs 414 billion)

Assets abroad: Rs 13,500 crore (Rs 135 billion)

Total employees: 238,583

Employees abroad: 17,329

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Infosys

In 1981, seven engineers started Infosys Limited with just $250. The company grew by leaps and bounds to become India’s biggest IT company. Presently, it is the third biggest software outsourcing company in India.

The company has seen turbulent times in recent years. The management brought back one of the founding members, NR Narayana Murthy, to get it back on track.

It has a growing global presence with 67 offices and 69 development centres in the United States, India, China, Australia, Japan, Middle East, and Europe.

Rank: 13

Transnationality Index: 44 per cent

Total revenues: Rs 33,700 crore (Rs 337 billion)

Revenues from foreign operations: Rs 33,000 crore (Rs 330 billion)

Total assets: Rs 38,600 crore (Rs 386 billion)

Assets abroad: Rs 10,100 crore (Rs 101 billion)

Total employees: 149,994

Employees abroad: 10,350

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Punj Lloyd

Punj Lloyd is an engineering and construction group that provides integrated design, procurement, and project management services in the energy and infrastructure sectors.

With operations spread across the Middle East, Africa, the Caspian, Asia Pacific and South Asia, the company provides EPC services in Oil & Gas, Process, Civil Infrastructure, and Thermal Power.

Punj Lloyd has over 50 subsidiaries and has executed upwards of more than 200 projects in over 120 countries, according to Wikipedia.

Rank: 14

Transnationality Index: 43 per cent

Total revenues: Rs 10,300 crore (Rs 103 billion)

Revenues from foreign operations: Rs 6,300 crore (Rs 63 billion)

Total assets: Rs 14,600 crore (Rs 146 billion)

Assets abroad: Rs 7,400 crore (Rs 74 billion)

Total employees: 33,442

Employees abroad: 5,576

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Tata Chemicals

One of the largest chemical companies in the country, it has interest in chemicals, crop nutrition and consumer products.

Tata Chemicals is the pioneer and market leader in India’s branded iodised salt segment and is now focussing on providing an innovative, low-cost, nanotechnology-based water purifier.

It is also the world’s second largest producer of soda ash with manufacturing facilities in Asia, Europe, Africa and North America.

Some of its acquisition include UK-chemical company based Brunner Mond and US-based General Chemical Industrial Products Inc. Tatas paid about 1.05 billion to buy GCIP and now has produces 5.17 million tons of soda ash.

Rank: 15

Transnationality Index: 40 per cent

Total revenues: Rs 13,700 crore (Rs 137 billion)

Revenues from foreign operations: Rs 3,900 crore (Rs 39 billion)

Total assets: Rs 19,100 crore (Rs 191 billion)

Assets abroad: Rs 10,900 crore (Rs 109 billion)

Total employees: 4,746

Employees abroad: 1,576

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