Best & Co. was founded in 1879 as a partnership firm in Madras by Andrew Vans Dunlop Best and the company was incorporated as a Private Company in 1911. The name of the company was changed to Best & Co. Pvt. Ltd., w.e.f. 1st May, 1975 with the consequential change in the name to Best & Co. Ltd. In April, 1974, the Company acquired a substantial interest in the Crompton Engineering Co. (Madras) Ltd., with whole it had been associated as promoters and shareholders since its inception. Best & Co. Pvt.Ltd., were also Managing Agents of the Cromption Engineering Co. (Madras) Ltd. upto 31st December, 1969. Pursuant to an order dated 15th April, 1975 of the Madras High Court; The Crompton Engineering Co.(Madras) Ltd., was amalgamated with the Company and the name of the company was changed to Best & Crompton Engineering Ltd., w.e.f. 27th June, 1975. The subsidiaries of the company are krest Development & Leasing Ltd., Beacon Weir Ltd., Best & Crompton (Jersey) Ltd., Kone Elevator India Ltd., Air Control and Chemical Engineering Company Ltd., Beacon Tileman Ltd., & Beacon Neyrpic Ltd. During 1982, the company contracted with (GEE Alsthom for the manufacture of automative castings and S.G. iron and with Siemex for fire fighting equipment. In 1984, the company concluded a technical collaboration agreement with sheepbridge of U.K. to improve the profitability of the foundry operations.