--By Sagar Ghimire

 

Vaidya Organization of Industries and Trading Houses (VOITH), one of the largest business groups in Nepal has generated employment opportunities to more than 7,000 people. The group started as United Trade Syndicate, a company that imports automobiles, has now expanded its business ranging from education to construction and from tea to agro products. 

 

Inception 

VOITH was established in Kathmandu 40 years ago by an enterprising young man, late Dr Vijay G. Vaidya. 

 

Vaidya was initially involved in the political movement of Nepal to overthrow the Rana oligarchy and also worked for 11 years in different institutions including USAID and Ministry for Foreign Affairs until he realized that nothing would interest him except working under his own leadership and self vision. 

 

Vaidya gave up everything just to initiate his own business. With just $700 in his pocket, he ventured into the business journey to Japan on December 18, 1967. After continuous and regular meetings with the officials of Toyota Company in Japan, who were initially skeptical about his ability, eventually signed an agreement with the company on selling their vehicles in Nepal. 

 

Upon his arrival, Vaidya established United Traders Syndicate (UTS) Pvt Ltd and sold 97 vehicles, 91 more than the targets set by the Toyota. 

 

After four-decades, Toyota, which was introduced to the customers by the UTS for the first time in Nepal, is still one of the dominant brands in Nepal. 

 

Started from the UTS dealing automobiles, the VOITH has now expanded its business ranging from education to construction and from tea to agro products. 

 

Behind the meteoric rise of the organization as one of the largest business house, there are the tales of struggle, conviction, hard-work and patience of the organization’s founder late Dr Vijay G. Vaidya. 

 

Setting the priorities 

The organisation accords its priority to industries that contribute greatly to the social upliftment of the Nepali people. Hence, labor-intensive, agro-based industries are VOITH’s priorities. And, as it said, it is convinced that such undertakings help raise the living standard of Nepal’s poorest people, the bulk of whom are farmers. 

 

VOITH has been continuously serving the people for past four decades. Since its inception, the organization is putting the farmers at its center of focus. It strives to bring joy and success into the community of the common farmers through professional development and modernization of the agricultural sector. 

 

Now, the president of the VOITH President Suraj Vaidya is upholding the legacy of Vaidya group created by his late father Dr Vijay G. Vaidya. Suraj, President of the VOITH, is also leading the umbrella organisation of the business community - Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries- as its president. 

 

Caring the Nature 

For many, doing business is all about gaining immediate profits from their investment and deposit the cash in their bank accounts even at the expense of human health or irrespective of the adverse impact it makes on the environment or natural heritages. 

 

However, VOITH claims that it has abided by the concept and principle of green environment in the field of industrial and business development. 

 

This company has refrained itself from entering into any production that causes harm to human health or adversely challenges the natural heritage. 

 

Management Mantra 

Vision, commitment, courage, perseverance and hard work are the key mantras for the staffs working in VOITH. 

 

The Board of Directors sets the overall policy and management guidance for each of the divisions - Trading and Services, Industry, Construction - of VOITH. 

 

The VOITH is one of the largest business groups in Nepal and provides employment opportunities to more than 7,000 people, and prides itself in its staff that represents some of the best managerial talent in the country. 

 

Each division is led by an Executive Director. Regular staff meetings are held that ensures total managerial involvement in the day-to-day operation of VOITH as well as its future planning needs. 

 

Corporate Social Responsibilities 

Though it has made its slogan “Little Things We Do”, the philanthropy and social services of the VOITH are beyond the merely fulfilling its bit of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). 

 

The list of the services that the company has done goes long. To mention few: it provides scholarships to the needy and underprivileged students for the scholarship; builds school buildings, temples; supports sportsperson; involves itself in cleaning campaign as well as renovating and preserving cultural heritages, among others. 

 

VOITH has organized Toyota Women’s Motor Rally and the money that was raised was given to a primary school at Hile, Dhankuta in eastern Nepal. 

 

Since 2006, VOITH has begun awarding a Toyota car to the most outstanding football player of the year. Likewise, VOITH set up a revolving fund of Rs. 400,000 to organize the tournaments and made available additional funds to manage them. 

 

It had donated an Ambulance to the Avyudaya Multipurpose Cooperative at Kalyanpur, Chitwan. It has been providing financial help to dozens of schools across the country. In Chitwan, it has constructed a Reading Room besides providing books and magazines. It has made available Rs. 1 million to Mothers’ groups to create awareness and expand literacy. 

 

In Kathmandu, it has built numerous waiting stands at the bus stops for the comfort of passengers. 

 

Venturing Next 

As part of its regular and new launches, VOITH is all set to launch a new model of Toyota car at the end of the August. According to Sahara KC, Marketing Manager at VOITH, Toyota Etios will roll out in the street. This car would cost Rs 3.44 million. 

 

KC says those who want to exchange their vehicle with the Toyota Etios will have that opportunity during the launch where bank, insurance and validity counter will also be available. 

 

Likewise, Vijaya Academy of Health and Science is scheduled to begin four-year Bachelor degree in affiliation with universities from Australia and Philippines. 

 

According to Ritu Singh Vaidya, Managing Director of UTS Pvt Ltd, the organization is planning to expand into newer sectors like hydropower, hospitality and education. 

 

She says, “Hydropower should be there soon as it is already in the pipeline and we are seriously looking into hospitality. Hopefully, we will be coming with new ventures in the next two years if we don’t have external disturbing factors like endless bandhs and political crisis.”