About DLF
DLF Universal Limited considered being the pioneer and market leader in India’s real estate business has completed projects of over 35 million sq. ft. across its residential, commercial and retail businesses. Founded in 1946, it has been responsible for the development of 21 urban colonies aggregating 5,816 acres, as well as an entire integrated 3,000-acre township - DLF City; and is now well poised to reinforce its strong national position with significant projects across major cities and emerging destinations of the country.

With over six decades of experience in the real estate business, the group is capitalizing on emerging market opportunities to deliver high-end facilities and projects to its wide base of customers by constantly upgrading its internal skills and resource capabilities. In line with its current expansion plans, the DLF Group has over 130 million sq. ft. of development across its businesses, including accomplished and on-going projects. This comprises over 28 million sq. ft. of projects that the group has executed under its home, offices and shopping mall segments.

The success of the DLF Group can be attributed to its implementation of successful business models which include development of innovative business strategies, strengthening its professional resources and driving market penetration that is adaptive to local market needs.

The DLF Group is the only company in India in the Consumer validated category from the real estate sector to be awarded the distinction of ‘Superbrand’ ranking. And all this is due to its mammoth contribution to the real estate sector; that has not only made significant inputs in the residential and commercial property segment but has also made noteworthy advancement in pursuing new business opportunities in hotel, infrastructure and SEZs. With its joint venture with Laing O’Rourke, it plans to make its foray into the sectors of expressways and airports.

The key elements of its business strategy are:

• Increase land reserves in strategic locations
• Expand core business verticals nationally
• Diversify into SEZ development
• Undertake infrastructure development with Laing O’Rourke
• Diversify into hotel development
• Enhance execution capabilities

Exceeding over 250 million sq. ft. of accomplished projects across the country and 100 million sq.ft of on-going projects; DLF also plans to develop around 100,000 acres of land over the next couple of years, nationally. With the growth of the Indian economy and the increase in corporate Cushman & Wakefield and consumer incomes, combined with the growing foreign investment in the real estate sector, DLF envisages significant opportunities for growth in the realty business.

Strengths:
Six decades in the real estate business and reputation for providing prompt payment to landowners upon the acquisition of its land, developing and completing projects in a timely manner and conducting its business with transparency has created a relationship of trust with its customers and suppliers.

With its extensive land reserves under development aggregated 1,372 acres representing approximately 102 million square feet of developed area or area available for development; it is estimated that it will be able to develop over 118 million square feet of saleable or lettable area.

Besides that, the strategic positioning of its projects and scale of operations make DLF the indispensable leader in the real estate business. Also, innovative techniques and offering new designs and concepts in real estate developments make DLF stand out amongst the real estate fraternity. 

The Story Behind DLF
Delhi Land & Finance, or DLF, is a company set up by DLF chairman Mr.Kushal Pal Singh's father-in-law, Chaudhary Raghvendra Singh. The company at that time had developed no fewer than 21 colonies in Delhi between 1947 and 1961, which was taken over by the Delhi Development Authority. That had forced DLF to diversify into batteries, cables and so on.

Six decades later, DLF has invested close to Rs 80,000 crore in projects running into 100 million square feet. The group has made remarkable contribution in the evolution of the sleepy adjacent city of Gurgaon to the 'investor's destination' of India. Their foresightedness in identifying Gurgaon as the next logical extension of Delhi proved to be their biggest advantage, as they were the ones to make the first move in Gurgaon real estate.

However, DLF’s role in confirming the visit of Jack Welch, the CEO of GE to India on the invitation of Rajiv Gandhi the then Prime Minister of India proved to be the biggest turnaround for DLF and Mr. K. P. Singh. Welch was not only struck by the country's trained manpower and started thinking in terms of outsourcing back office work to India; but also set up GE's first office at Gurgaon.

Almost overnight, Gurgaon had turned from a sleepy village to a throbbing hub of commercial activity. DLF which started its business then with a new lease has definitely come a long way since then - from townships, shopping malls and commercial space to hotels, special economic zones and infrastructure projects.