OUR HISTORY
Late Kurjibhai Ramji was married to late Kanbai Kurji Rabadia born in 1921 in Baladia, Kutch, who equally travelled to Nairobi in 1957 along with her two children: Kalyan Kurji Patel and Lalji Kurji Patel. From the marriage, they borne three more children, Dhanu Shivji Jesani, Bhimji Kurji Patel and Harish Kurji Patel.
Late Kurjibhai Ramji Rabadia was a man of strong character who worked relentlessly, and, by dint of hard work, he was able to transform his career from farming to masonry and then to a successful businessman engaged in construction.. He also played a very important social and religious role in the Indian community in East Africa; he was a man of great humility and for his ever willingness to help others.
In July 1950, late Kurjibhai Ramji started operation in the quarrying, stone dressing activities under the name of Karsan & Kurji. Following his business venture, in 1964, he started operation as a Building and Civil Engineering contractor under the name of ‘Kurji Ramji & Co’. This company was involved in the construction of an impressive number of public and private sector buildings, estates and infrastructure works both in Kenya and Tanzania.
Some of the prestigious projects executed in Kenya and Tanzania at that time were:-
Karioko Housing Estate, University Of Nairobi Hall Of Residences 9and 10, Social Security Head Quarters, University Of Nairobi Faculty Of Agriculture, Russian Hospital (Kisumu),Maize Silos (Kitaly), Brigdes, Eldorate University, Kilimanjaro International Airport with Arcadia Construction and sterling Astaldi (Arusa), east African Headquarters with Arcadia Construction (Arusa) and many more.
Thriving on its success in Kenya and Tanzania, an outstanding opportunity arose in 1973 for Kurji Ramji (Kenya) Ltd when they were awarded the contract to build “La Pirogue”, an international 5 Star Hotel for the Landmark Hotels on the western coast of Mauritius under a locally registered company: ‘Laxmanbhai & Co. (Mauritius) Ltd’.
In 1977, Allied Builders Ltd was incorporated to strengthen its position in the Mauritian construction industry and thereby further expanding its operations in the construction and civil engineering sector.
This operation was headed by Kalyan Kurji Patel, the eldest son of the late Kurjibhai Ramji with the support of his son Lalji Kurji Patel, and his youngest brother Kanji Kunverji Ramji.
The successful completion of “La Pirogue” contract was an impressive achievement and served as a solid foundation for the reputation of the Company as a building and civil engineering contractor in Mauritius. The Company won large contracts both in Mauritius and Rodrigues – a neighbouring island under the jurisdiction of Mauritius - on competitive bids.
Further development in the building and civil engineering sector and property development led Group to migrate their office from Kenya to Mauritius which subsequently led to the founding of ‘Kurji Ramji Patel Group’ of companies in Mauritius.
A few years later, as part of its plan for business growth in the Indian Ocean, the Group ventured into the Republic of Seychelles in 1980. This saw the incorporation of Allied Builders (Seychelles) Ltd in which we were awarded the contract for the redevelopment and extension of the Seychelles International Airport.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the construction industry in Mauritius and Rodrigues, the Government of Mauritius bestowed upon Mr Kalyan Kurji Patel the title of G.O.S.K (Grand Officer Of The Order Of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean).
The fantastic growth and success of the family business was due to the vision of the Late Kurjibhai Ramji Patel supported by the courage and business acumen of his son Kalyan Kurji Patel, G.O.S.K with the determination, the support, hard work and devotion of his brothers Lalji Kurji Patel, Bhimji Kurji Patel, Harish Kurji Patel, and his cousin Manoj Kanji Rabadia along with the Senior technical team who contributed to the growth of the Group business activity in Seychelles.
In 2011, the group ventured in India, Bhuj in the development of a 4 star business hotel which is under construction and is going to be managed by Fern (India) where the Group is also envisaging to expand in other real estate developments.
In 2014, the group ventured in the elderly care home business in the U.K. This venture is being directed by Mr Vinay Kalyan Patel, L.L.B, and the son of Mr Kalyan Kurji Patel (G.O.S.K)
Today, the Kurjibhai Ramji Group is one of the largest and most successful family owned businesses in Mauritius and Seychelles with an exceptional reputation in the following sectors: Building and Civil Engineering, Real Estate Development, Architectural Aluminium Façade Cladding, Hospitality and Elderly Care. The Group operates businesses in the above sectors in Mauritius, Seychelles, Rodrigues, India and the United Kingdom