VRL Group
VRL Group of companies are one of the leading business group of Karnataka state, India. The company has its headquarters at Hubballi. The Group has business interests in road transportation, logistics, publishing etc. VRL is an abbreviation of Vijayanand Roadlines Limited. The company was started by Vijay Sankeshwar in 1976 at Gadag. Vijay Sankeshwar's family was into business of publishing books and guides for students. He entered into business of road transport to ferry goods and cargo by the name of VRL. VRL later started private bus services in between cities and towns of Karnataka, which were later expanded to other states of India. The VRL has wide network of branches throughout South India and Maharashtra.
From this beginning VRL has grown into a logistics and transport company which is currently the largest fleet owner in India with a fleet of 4001 Vehicles (Including 455 tourist buses & 3546 Goods Transport Vehicles) as of 10 May 2015. VRL finds mentioned in the Limca Book of Records as a single largest fleet owner of commercial vehicles in India in the private sector.
VRL General Cargo
Starting with local transportation between Hubli and Gadag, VRL soon expanded its services to Bengaluru, Hubballi, Belagavi and Gadag. VRL has grown into a logistics and transport company which is currently the largest fleet owner in India with a fleet of over 3500 trucks, light commercial vehicles and over 450 buses.
It has now expanded its operations into Courier Services and Express Cargo. Today VRL handles over 6000 MT of parcels every day adding up to 216,000,000 MT of cargo per annum.[1]
With the largest network in India, the VRL parcel services is indispensable for large number of corporates. This network spans 12 states in India and is supported by around 1000 branches, 40 hubs cum transport yards and about 5000 customers. With its own trans-shipment yard commencing operation at Gurgaon-Delhi in the near future, VRL is now expanding its services to cover location in other North Indian State.
VRL Express Cargo
Road transportation, express cargo, warehousing, re-distribution and courier services. Services now connect customers in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Pondicherry, Western Maharashtra and Gujarat. This network will soon stretch to the other parts of North and East India.
VRL Courier
Delivering documents and small parcels.
Centralised Operations at Hubli
At the core of the groups transport business is its 40-acre transport cum warehouse complex in Varur, Hubli. This unique facility has all the essential back up services under one roof. The total built up area of complex is 25,00,000 sq. ft. with an additional 1,00,000 sq. ft. of land utilized for sheds and vehicle parking. This complex contains the Head Office Building, Transhipment Godown, Workshop, Canteen, Drivers Rest Room, own Petrol Bunk allotted by Indian Oil Corporation, Effluent Treatment Plant with capacity of 1,75,000 ltrs., and a Rainwater harvesting plant. The complex has a garage cum service complex. Every truck in the fleet passes through this master service facility at least once every 2 weeks.
Vijayanand Travels
Vijayanand Travels, the tour operation division of VRL, is the market leader among tourist bus operators in Karnataka and Maharashtra. It operates a fleet of approximately 550 buses, in which 51 Volvo including a mix of 9400 XL and 9400PX multi-axle models[2] on more than 350 routes across the six states and is supported by a network of 80+ branches and 1000+ agents.
It has pioneered the introduction of Hi-Tech Air conditioned buses including the Volvo B7R, B9R and i-shift models on routes leading to remote parts of Karnataka and also connecting Karnataka with five other states, separate seating arrangements for women on board, a choice of buses from ordinary buses to super luxury A/C buses, cloak room facilities in branches, check point to monitor vehicle movement, two drivers on the buses to prevent driver fatigue and enhance passenger safety and an E-Ticketing facility.
VRL Logistics - Aviation Division
In 2008, VRL Logistics Ltd. paved its way into the Indian Air Chartering Industry. It was a gradual progression for the company, from Surface Transport to Air Transport. The Indian Aviation Industry has experienced a tremendous growth in the last few years, more so in the Private Aviation Sector. Keeping in mind emerging the market demand VRL decided to enter the Air-charter Industry and serve VVIPs, VIPs & Corporate India.
In the first phase, VRL has acquired a brand new Beechcraft Premier I. An aircraft, manufactured by Hawker Beechcraft Inc, USA. VRL offers the Jet aircraft on charter basis to the Corporate sector, Leisure and Tourism sector, Special Mission charter, Event Management, Advertisement Agencies and VIP flights.
In 2013 The Company has added another Beechcraft Premier I into its fleet.
VRL Media Limited
Vijayavani[3] the flagship entity of the VRL Group, is the largest circulated newspaper in Karnataka. Although Vijayavani was launched in April 2012, the VRL group has been firmly established in Karnataka over decades. News publishing is not new to the VRL group. The Newspaper is printed by their subsidiary company by the name of VRL Media Limited.[4] Vijayavani is the only all-colour Kannada newspaper. Hariprakash Konemane have been leading the editorial division of Vijayavani.
References
Vijayavani E-paper[1] Vijayavani Advertisting[2]