Vijay Sankeshwar has earned the title of the trucking king of India. In the beginning, he had to take a loan to purchase his first truck.
Vijay Sankeshwar, the proprietor of VRL Logistics, holds the distinction of owning the largest logistics company in India. Presently, his fleet comprises an impressive 5,000 vehicles. Nevertheless, when he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey during the 1970s, he faced a humble beginning with insufficient funds to purchase even a single truck. Let us delve into his inspiring tale.
In present times, Sankeshwar has earned the distinguished title of the trucking king of India. However, his journey began back in 1976 with a single truck. To acquire this initial vehicle, he had to borrow a sum of Rs 2 lakh. Today, his success is evident as he oversees a fleet of over 5,000 commercial vehicles.
Despite belonging to a family with a well-established publishing business, he encountered significant criticism for deviating from the path and venturing into his own endeavors. Undeterred by the opposition, he courageously embarked on his own business journey. With relentless determination and consistent efforts, he steadily expanded his enterprise. Today, he stands as one of the wealthiest individuals in India, a testament to his unwavering pursuit of success.
Throughout his remarkable journey, he encountered numerous obstacles, yet he remained steadfast in his determination. The 1990s marked a turning point as his business began to flourish, expanding into passenger services. He founded Vijayanand Travels, which eventually transformed into the renowned VRL Logistics. Today, this esteemed company has diversified its offerings to include even jet services, a testament to its extraordinary growth and adaptability.
In the past five years, the company has delivered an impressive return of 115 percent in the stock markets. As of Wednesday, the company’s shares were valued at Rs 702.30, with a market capitalization of Rs 6,142 crore.
Hailing from Dharwad, Karnataka, he holds the esteemed position of Chairman in VRL Group, India’s largest firm. Additionally, he is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and previously served as a Member of Parliament from North Dharwad.
Notably, he also owned a newspaper that was later acquired by The Times of India (TOI). In recognition of his contributions, he was honored with the prestigious Padma Shri Award in 2020.
Furthermore, he holds a degree in commerce, showcasing his educational background in the field.