Our History
Who We Are
Pilani Group’s journey began in the 1920s, when Shri Jwaladutt Loyalka moved from Pilani to Bombay to build a future rooted in enterprise and integrity.
Over the decades, the family expanded into diverse sectors and embraced the name “Pilani,” honoring its heritage. Milestones include growth in West Africa, UK agricultural exports, and Uday Pilani’s leadership in transforming Presco Plc into a leading regional agri-business.
Since 2015, the Group has focused on IT investments, property development, and expanding hospitality ventures in the UK. With Diya Pilani joining in 2022, Pilani Group continues to evolve with purpose and innovation.
Leading the way
The History of Pilani Group
Shri Jwaladutt Loyalka moves from Pilani to Bombay (now Mumbai) and starts work at the Bombay Stock Exchange.
Expands into Cotton Trading, takes license and seat at the Cotton Exchange and expands into Commodity Trading
Expands into Airlines, Insurance, Banking, Hotels and takes over the Colaba Land and Mills Company from the British through Stock Acquisition. The Colaba Land and Mills Company Ltd is one of India’s earliest Composite Cotton Mills.
Family name of Pilani is adopted.
His Son, Shri Kishan Prasad Pilani, ventures to Nigeria, West Africa and is instrumental in setting up Dynamic Industries
His Son, Shri Sudhir Pilani, moves to Nigeria and works primarily with the Agric Sector, setting up Export Focussed Fruit and Vegetable business. Exports are primarily to the UK, supplying to Major Multiples such as Tesco’s, Sainsburys, M&S etc.
Group Chair Uday, joins business. Initially billed to join his father in Nigeria, Uday was motivated by the clarion call made by Manmohan Singh ( former Prime Minister of India ) encouraging young entrepreneurs to concentrate on building India as the country went through economic liberalisation. 1993 to 2002 : Uday gains valuable experience across several diverse fields including Agric Exports to UK, Shipping, Event Management
Uday migrates to Nigeria and sets up Insecticide Manufacturing in Kano, North Nigeria. Uday’s Rotary journey also commences same time.
Uday becomes the Group Managing Director of Presco Plc.
Uday transforms Presco Plc from a 8500 HA plantation company to the Largest Agri Business group in West Africa, crossing 100,000 HA and establishing several plantations through Acquisitions and growth.
The Current form of Pilani Group is formatted in this period which also has Uday foraying into Hospitality in the UK.
Uday leaves Presco, and concentrates on investments in Information Technology, Property Development and sets up the Pilani Group as it is today.
Diya joins the Pilani Group, and is now handling the hospitality business in the UK
