PANAJI: On August 27, the staff members of Cosme Matias Menezes (CMM) Group offered praise and worshiped the divine at Don Bosco chapel, Panaji, to commemorate 100 years of the Group’s success.
Some 130 years ago, twins were born to the Menezes family, Cosme and Damiao in the parish of Sao Matias in the island village of Divar.
In 1910, CMM was established by one of the twins late Cosme Matias Menezes with the opening of a drugstore in Panaji city. The drugstore expanded to two, then three. It grew and multiplied into many all over Goa to become the biggest importer next to Burmah-Shell in pre-liberation Goa. When Pascoal, Cosme’s first born was about 14 years old, he offered to help in the store.
Things were not going too well then for the business. Financial situation too was bad. Anxious to help and prove to his father that he was a worthy son, Pascoal came to work in the store. The store was a small affair then.
They bought locally and sold. His visit to Bombay gave him the idea of becoming an exclusive sales agent for foreign brands. First it was Cow & Gate, then Kruschen Salts and it was a matter of time before Ciba, Sandoz, Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson and others made him their agent.
These were big names in the world of pharmaceuticals. It was not long before more companies came knocking at the door of Cosme Matias Menezes.
Imports went beyond pharmaceuticals to include many other attractions: Rayban glasses, watches, fountain pens, costume jewellery, cameras, cosmetics and gramophone equipment including records. By 1960 the godowns of Mormugao Harbour had more CMM imports than all other companies put together.
Tome, Cosme’s second son came on the scene in 1938. Things were running smoothly till Goa’s liberation in 1961. Then all imports were stopped. "If we cannot import we’ll manufacture," said Tome. CMM applied for and was granted industrial licences, the first in Goa. Tome worked hard.
David, the third brother who came into the business in 1947 was actively involved. Baptista, Cosme’s youngest son, came in on the business scene in 1949. CMM collaborated with Beiersdorf AG of Germany, Shulton Inc of USA and Carter Wallace Inc of USA.
In 1963 the foundation stone for the first plant was laid; the plant went on stream in 1967. Goa’s first air travel agency, Menezes Air Travel was formed.
Today CMM’s major companies are: Wallace Pharmaceuticals Ltd headed by Mr Ceasar Menezes, CFL Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Colfax Laboratories (India) Ltd, Beiersdorf India Ltd, Menezes Chemicals (Goa). Elvina Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Jordan Dental Care Products Ltd, B Braun Medical (India) Ltd, Schiffer Menezes Dental Care Products Ltd, Indi Pharma Pvt Ltd, headed by Maria Emillia Menezes, and Cosme Matias Menezes Ltd, among others. Menezes Cosmetics Private Ltd established in 1994 is the youngest of the Cosme Mathias Menezes (CMM) group of companies. Ms Rashmi Menezes is the director legal and corporate affairs and Mr Vinay Pinto is the executive director.
