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The Prince of Plywood

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The Prince of Plywood: How Mr. Deendayal Daga Built a Timber Empire from ₹50,000

At 83, the Chairman of Archidply Industries Ltd. is still going strong — and his story reads like a masterclass in Indian entrepreneurship.

With barely ₹50,000 in his pocket, he struck out alone. A transport company. Then a tea chest factory. Then a saw mill. Each step took him deeper into timber. In 1976 came the game-changer when Assam Timber Products was born at Rupai Assam. With a humble start, the company specialized in manufacturing tea chests, sawn timbers and veneer peeling. Mr Daga had a vision to create a business that would not only provide quality products but also contribute to the growth of the nation.”

He took the leap by establishing his own Plywood unit with 1 Hot Press and Peeling Machine. Despite lacking capital and a balanced sheet, he overcame significant hurdles through perseverance, securing a bank loan for the business. His strong liaisoning and PR skills also earned the Forest Licence from Forest Officials

Unbreakable resolve

In 1982, at just 40, he became the first from the sector to receive the Udyogpatra Award from the Vice President of India for his achievements as a Self Made Industrialist at the Institute of Trade And Industrial Development New Delhi.

Birth of a Brand

Archidply* That same year, he launched “Archidply” — Arch” for Architects, ”id”- for Interior Designers. He traveled the length and breadth of India, setting up distribution and marketing when the terms barely existed in the trade. Dealers dubbed him “The Prince” — the man who made plywood a household name.

Expansion Across India’s Map

Between 1990-1995, he went on to set up 3 Face Veneering units in the hilly terrain of Arunachal Pradesh & Nagaland

In 1995, he took over Mysore Chipboards, a leading manufacturer of particle boards. This acquisition enabled the company to expand the product portfolio and strengthen their position in the industry. They added plywood manufacturing capacity and entered into decorative veneer business from the same facility.

The Chairman’s leadership and vision have been instrumental in driving the company’s growth.

The 1996 Shock & The Comeback-In 1996, the Supreme Court ordered all factories within 100 km of forests to shut. Overnight, the Assam unit closed. As President of the Assam Manufacturing Association and a certified lawyer, Mr Deendayal Daga was chosen to lead the industry’s legal fight. While the case dragged on for years, he shifted machinery to Vishakhapatnam, which thrived. and successfully led the industry’s efforts to challenge the NGT order passed by the Supreme Court, which threatened to ban plywood manufacturing.

In 1999, our Chairman was awarded the Swatantra Swarna Jayanti Udyog Vibhushan by Shri Ram Krishna Hegde, Honourable Minister Of Commerce at New Delhi for his outstanding contribution to the nation’s economic development. This honor was a proud moment for our organization, and we continue to be inspired by his vision and leadership.” *

In 2003, the industry won and the Assam unit restarted

However Mr Daga had already established a tea processing unit in Rupai, Assam, and in 2005, acquired the Bordhumsa Tea Garden in Arunachal Pradesh. These strategic moves enabled us to diversify our operations and leverage our expertise in the tea industry.

In 2006, he took a significant step forward with the establishment of our Rudrapur facility. This state-of-the-art manufacturing unit spread across 15 acres enabled us to expand our product range to include plywood, laminates, and doors. With an annual capacity for plywood of 70 lac sq metre and annual capacity of laminates for 50 lac sheets,The facility has been a game-changer for our business, allowing us to cater to a wider market.

We took our business to the next level by expanding internationally. We strategically entered 20+ countries exporting laminates leveraging our expertise and quality products to gain a foothold in global markets.

2008: Archidply listed on NSE & BSE. The same year, he commissioned a cutting-edge Chintamani, Karnataka facility for veneers, plywood, and prelam boards –

In 2008, Archidply Industries Ltd. was successfully listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE). This milestone marked a new chapter in our journey, enabling us to access capital markets and further fuel our growth plans.”

In 2008, we also commenced our 12.5 acres cutting edge facility in Chintamani Karnataka for manufacturing veneers, plywood and pre-laminated boards.

In 2024, we formed a new subsidiary, Archidpanel Industries Pvt. Ltd., at Sitarganj. This greenfield project spread over 25 acres will focus on manufacturing MDF and allied products, further expanding our product portfolio and strengthening our market position The annual capacity of this unit is 75000 CBM.

Vice President of FIPPI

Mr Deendayal Daga has also been the Vice President of FIPPI (Federation of Indian Plywood & Panel Industry and has played a pivotal role in shaping industry policies, setting quality standards, and fostering responsible growth.

As premier industry association, FIPPI unites manufacturers, suppliers, and stakeholders to build a strong, sustainable, and globally competitive plywood and panel industry. Our commitment to eco-friendly practices, technological advancements, and business development ensures a thriving future for the sector.

Unshakable at 83

Over the past 50 glorious years, our respected Chairman, Mr D Daga has played a pivotal role in establishing 10 state-of-the-art factories across India, spanning the Northern, Southern, and Eastern regions. To support this extensive network, a robust infrastructure has been created, comprising over 2000 dealers across 27 states, 17 sales offices, 9 strategically located warehouses, and a dedicated workforce of 1500 employees.

We remain deeply grateful to our Chairman and mentor, Mr. Deendayal Daga, whose visionary leadership and unwavering ethics have been the cornerstone of this organization. His dynamic approach was instrumental in elevating our brand to a legendary status, earning the trust of industry professionals and households nationwide. As we embark on this next chapter, we continue to value his invaluable guidance in our pursuit of future milestones. Today, from his Kolkata office, Mr D. Daga still manages the Assam tea factory. From a general store in Gangtok to a listed company with a pan-India footprint, Mr Deen Dayal Daga’s life is more than a business story. It’s a reminder that ambition, when paired with resilience and people-first values, can build empires — and legacies