Promoted in 1956, Saurashtra Cement (SCL), was created and deployed to manufacture cement by the semi-dry process. In 1960, the Mehta group, headed by Nanji Kalidas Mehta invested Rs 50 lac in SCL. The plant is located at Ranavav, Gujarat. In 1980, the group was invited by the Government of Gujarat to invest in a joint venture, Cement Corporation of Gujarat, now called Gujarat Sidhee Cement (GSCL). The Mehta group spans over seven countries with interests in sugar, engineering, cement, electrical cables, power, alcohol, etc. SCL was the first BIFR case to be turned around without a rehabilitation package/assistance. It enjoys a market share of 23% in Gujarat. In Oct.'93, it issued rights shares and PCDs to increase its capacity from 8.63 lac tpa to 11.29 lac tpa. At present, the company markets cement under the brand name Hathi. It has broadened its footprint operations into into a technical collaboration with Fuller, US, to provide designs for plant equipment. It holds a mining lease near Ranavav for limestone quarrying.

In 1992, SCL was awarded the Excellence Award for productivity, quality, innovation and management, by the Institute of Economic Studies, New Delhi. It is the largest exporter of cement clinker to west Asia and has a market share of about 33% in exports.

It is in the process of expanding its capacity to 2.4 million tonnes and a captive Jetty at Porbandar, Gujarat at a cost of Rs. 250 crores. It has also installed 2 captive power plants,but unfortunately the cash disbursement from IFCI were not coming as they are facing liquidity constraints. The project is expected to be completed in 2003-04.