“The Architect of ₹2,000 Crore Wagh Bakri Empire: Parag Desai’s Legacy”
Parag Desai, the executive director of the Wagh Bakri Tea Group and a fourth-generation entrepreneur, has tragically passed away due to a brain hemorrhage. Desai was instrumental in expanding the business and introducing innovative strategies, transforming the company into a tea industry leader.
Parag Desai, the executive director of the renowned Wagh Bakri Tea Group, breathed his last at the age of 49. His untimely demise has sent shockwaves through the business world. The tea conglomerate, with a staggering turnover of ₹2,000 crore, is one of the leading packaged tea companies in India, thanks in no small part to Desai’s visionary leadership.
Desai’s sudden and tragic passing was a result of a brain hemorrhage, stemming from injuries he sustained during a stray dog attack outside his residence just last week. The Wagh Bakri Group shared the news of his passing on social media, expressing their profound grief over the loss of their beloved leader.
A fourth-generation entrepreneur in the family tea business, Parag Desai held an MBA from Long Island University in New York, USA. His journey with the Wagh Bakri Tea Group began in 1995 when the company’s revenue was a modest ₹100 crore. Desai was instrumental in transforming and expanding the business beyond Ahmedabad’s boundaries. His innovative ideas led to the introduction of an e-commerce platform, buytea.com, to meet modern consumer demands.
Desai also played a pivotal role in heading the group’s sales, marketing, and exports division. He was responsible for propelling the company into the digital age, strengthening its e-commerce presence and amplifying its engagement on social and digital media platforms. His strategic vision resulted in the establishment of over 70 tea lounges and tea worlds across India.
The Wagh Bakri Group, founded in 1892 by Narandas Desai, now operates as a tea industry giant. With a turnover exceeding ₹2,000 crore and the distribution of over 50 million kg of tea, it has a significant presence across 24 Indian states and exports its products to approximately 60 countries worldwide. Parag Desai’s visionary leadership helped the company become the third-largest packaged tea company in India, following only Tata and Hindustan Unilever (HUL).
Parag Desai was actively engaged in various industry platforms, including the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), further underlining his commitment to the growth of the tea business in India.
Parag Desai leaves behind his wife, Vidisha, and daughter, Parisha. His contributions to the Wagh Bakri Tea Group and the tea industry as a whole will be remembered as a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication.
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