In 1930, Mr. Joseph Leslie Vaz, initiated a small trading unit which was used for the distribution of much needed drugs like "SULFA". The funds from this small venture were part of the capital for his new venture. Trading as well as production, consultancy and engineering were becoming very popular in a slowly developing British India.
In 1933, at 105 Apollo Street, Mumbai, Mr. Vaz set up a business as an Engineer and Industrial Advisor.
It was part of the early 1930's when the slump was still on and the commercial world had not yet recovered from the Wall Street Collapse, that Joseph Leslie was setup as a sole proprietorship. The company then dealt with Hardware, Welding materials and ship stores. One of its first manufactured products was "Carbon Brushes".
1950 - A single room at Apollo Street in Mumbai was far from sufficient for an expanding business and so a shed close to Mr. Vaz's residence was hired and converted into a workshop.
In 1956, Mr. Vaz decided to tour Europe and U.K. and made a study of Industrial Safety appliances and their production. In the summer of that same year he held numerous discussions with a firm in Germany that manufactured Personal Protective Safety Equipment, Deep Sea Diving Equipment, etc. This firm was Draeger. He returned to India as Draeger's Sole and Exclusive representative.
1958, a milestone year, Joseph Leslie & Co. celebrated its Silver Jubilee. The first modern Mines Rescue Oxygen Breathing Apparatus, Model BG174 manufactured by Draeger was presented to Honourable Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Following this, Mine Rescue Stations all over the country ordered these Breathing Apparatus.
In 1963, Carole Leslie Vaz, the eldest daughter of Mr. Joseph Leslie Vaz, joined the firm as a partner. She brought with her new ideas and a fresh drive. It was also decided that the workshop be vacated and a new factory at Prabhadevi Industrial Estate was established.
Being the Pioneer in Industrial Safety in India, Mr. Joseph Leslie Vaz was invited in 1965 to present a paper on Personal Protective Equipment at President Dr. S.K. Radhakrishnan's first Safety Congress.
In 1968, Wendy Leslie Vaz, the youngest daughter of Mr. Joseph Leslie Vaz joined the company as a partner. She brought with her fresh and young blood leading to new ideas, knowledge and innovative planning. Today, she is mainly responsible for installing the vast marketing network that the company possesses. Her interaction with the Dealers and Vendors is exemplary. The company now manufactures Safety ear muffs, Industrial safety helmets, Gloves, Goggles, Safety torches, Face shields, protective clothing and so on.
In 1970, after an intensive programme in Draeger Germany, Mr. Cyril Pereira joined the Joseph Leslie Group. With his technical experience, management skills and innovative production methods, several improvements were established technically to enhance the company's existing product portfolio.
In 1974, after a considerable growth in the company, Joseph Leslie & Co. expanded further by setting up a new office at Apeejay House, maintaining the space at Apollo Street, Mumbai for storage.
1975 - this year resulted in the formation of Joseph Leslie Agencies which was formed to deal solely with distribution of Draeger products and varied safety agency products.
Joseph Leslie and Co. handled production and distribution of Leslico products. The name 'Leslico' was established as a Trade Mark for all SAFETY PRODUCTS manufactured by Joseph Leslie and Co.
In 1983, Joseph Leslie & Co. celebrated its Golden Jubilee.
Approvals
DGS&D - (Director General of Supplies & Disposals): Safety Helmets, Belts & Harness, Roof Ladders, Emergency Kit, Disposable Masks, PVC/ Chrome Clothing, Safety Equipments for Eye & Ear Protection.
BIS - (Bureau of Indian Standards): Safety Helmets, Safety Belts & Harness.
CLI - (Central Labour Institute): Face Shields, Dust/Mist mask Respirators, Helmets, Welding goggles, Hand Gloves (Chemical Protective Clothing).
JLC is one of the first organisations in India which has an in-house testing and R & D facility for most of its manufactured products. It was the first company that provided safety products with the Bureau of Indian Standard's certification. To sum it up, JLC is the oldest & arguably the largest safety equipment manufacturing company in India today.
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