Mr. Phirozshaw Maneckji Framroz (P.M. Framroz) came to Singapore from Deolali, Bombay in 1904. He established his own aerated water firm in a small building in Cecil Street at the age of 27 (His father ran a similar business in India thus giving him his initally grounding). As the business expanded, the factory shifted to Telok Ayer Street and in 1952 to Allenby Road (Jalan Besar area). Mr. P.M Framroz passed away at the age of 83 on 29 May 1960 after a month-long illness at Gleneagles Hospital. A bachelor, he left no children and his successor as chairman of the company was Mr. H. Bamanshaw.
P.M. Framroz was buried in the Parsi Cemetery in Tampines (Jalan Bumbun Selatan), but eventually move to Choa Chu Kang Parsi Cemetery.
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| Phirozshaw Manekji Framoz |
The Golden Jubilee of Messrs. Framroz Ltd.
In 1954 The Golden Jubilee or 50 years of progress of Messrs. Framroz Ltd was celebrated at his factory premise, opposite Jalan Besar Stadium). The new factory is a 3 storeyed building with a total floor space area of 50,000 sq. feet with the latest machinery that sterilises the bottles before filling it. The Aerated Waters Factory and Ice Works and their Crown brand product are under the immediate supervision of Mr. P.M. Framroz. The factory is able to manufacture carbonated and non-carbonated beverages such as Fruit Juices (Crown Orangia and Crown Pine Smash. The orange juice used in their orange smash and non-carbonated Orangia is imported from California, Spain, etc and the Pineapple Juice is the Malayan Product extracted and supplied by Pineapple Canners Messrs. Chuan Seng and Co. of Singapore. It also own an iceworks factory that produces 18 million pounds of ice annually or 50,000 punds everyday supplying to fishing vessels, Army, hotels and services nearby.
Mr. Framroz claims he was the first, not only in the East, but in the World ! to manufacturer carbonated and non-corbonated beverages from real fruit juices. The company at its peak, marketed 16 types of soft drinks and 11 favours in the squash and cordial product range. In 1968 it was awarded the 1st prize in the Cleanest Factory Competition in the Jalan Besar Constitituency in connection with the "Keep Singapore Clean" campaign.
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| Framroz Ltd at Allenby Road |
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| Inside the Framroz factory |
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| Framroz |
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| Framroz (Advertisement - 1971) |
The end of Framroz Pte Ltd
Framroz went into liquidation in 1974. A take-over cum rescue attempt by Ben and Company (which held a 25% stake) fell through because of objections raised by its beneficiaries. With difficulty facing the soft-drink industry such as stagnant sales and advancing costs, the majority of shareholders felt it was wiser to liquidate Framroz.
Rivalry between the 2 top Parsis (Framroz and Mistri)
Among the Parsi community back then there was intense rivalry between the 2. Navroji Rustomji Mistri (N.R. Mistri) started as a employee and later partner to Framroz. Mistri however eventually left to start Phoenix Aerated Water Factory and became his competitor, the rivalry became more intense. The oral interview did mention however the time when Mistri fell ill and was hospitalised and Mr. Framroz visited him once or twice and the rivalry subsequently ended after the death of Mistri.
Their tombs are now side by side.
Location of tomb
The tomb is located within the restricted compounds of the Parsi Cemetery at Choa Chu Kang.
In memory of Phironzshaw Manekji Framroz
born 29 October 1877 died 29 May 1960
Established Framroz Ltd 1904
A lofty and noble soul who was always
a pillar of strength and hope for the poor
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| Tomb of Phirozshaw Manekji Framroz |
References
Framroz-Golden Jubilee. (1954, January 10). Indian Daily Mail, page 4
Friends only at the funeral of bachelor businessman. (1960, June 2). The Singapore Free Press, page 15
Death of Mr. Framroz at 83. (1960, June 8). The Straits Budget, page 13
Framroz has funds to meet all ceditors' claims. (1974, July 250. new Nation, page 8
Framroz wins first prize in Cleanest Factory Competition. (1968, November 13) Eastern Sun, page 9
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