Square Group [1] is a Bangladeshi diversified multinantional conglomerate based in Dhaka. Samuel S Chowdhury is the chairman and Tapan Chowdhury is managing director of Square Group.[2][3] Square Group has 80,000 employees.
Square Group was founded in 1958 by Samson H. Chowdhury and his three friends as a pharmaceutical company, Square Pharmaceuticals in Pabna.[4] Samson H Chowdhury used to own a pharmacy, founded in 1952, in the Ataikula village in
In 1974, Square Pharmaceuticals worked with Janssen Pharmaceutica, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.[6]
In 1987, the group started exporting pharmaceuticals from Bangladesh.[6]
Square Group launched Senora in 1989, which was the first Sanitary napkin manufactured in Bangladesh.[7]
In 1994, Square Toiletries Limited became a private limited company.[6]
Square Textiles Limited was established in 1997.[6]
Square established a pharmaceutical factory under the supervision of Bovis Lend Lease in 2001.[6]
In 2002, Square Textiles Limited was listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange.[6]
Square Group founded Square Hospital on 16 December 2006 in Dhaka.[8] Joe Davis-Fleming was appointed the first CEO of the hospital.[9] The 250 bed hospital was built on a 3.5 billion taka budget.[10]
Square Group started exporting food products to Japan through Square Consumer Products Limited in 2008.[11]
On 9 March 2012, the board of directors of Square Group appointed Samuel S Chowdhury Chairperson of the group.[12] Mikhail Myasnikovich, Prime Minister of Belarus visited Square Pharmaceuticals factory in Gazipur District and signed a MOU to import pharmaceutical products.[13]
On 9 April 2015, Square Textiles announced plans to invest 1.13 billion taka to expand production facilities.[14] Square Toiletries started the manufacturing of diapers in 2015.[15]
On 26 August 2016, Square Denim started operations from Habiganj District.[16]
On 10 January 2018, Square pharmaceutical started construction of a pharmaceutical factory in Nairobi, Kenya through its subsidiary Square Pharmaceuticals Kenya EPZ Ltd.[17] Production at the factory was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.[18]
Square Group launched a helicopter service called Square Air Limited in 2019.[19] It operates three helicopters and clientele includes government ministers and high-ranking officials visiting projects outside of Dhaka.[20][21]
Square Group received permission to export pharmaceuticals to Democratic Republic of the Congo on 10 March 2020.[22] Square Group donated 10,000 sets of personal protective equipment to the Directorate General of Drug Administration in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh.[23] On 26 October 2020, Square announced plans to invest 2.5 billion taka to expand pharmaceutical production.[24]
There are currently 13 subsidiaries.[25]
