Bimal, Hiten & Bejul Shah
Broadway Bakery Ltd and Bakex Millers Ltd
Bimal Sobhagchand Shah
Director, Broadway Bakery Ltd and Bakex Millers Ltd
Hiten Ratilal Shah
Director, Broadway Bakery Ltd and Bakex Millers Ltd
Bejul Chunilal Shah
Director, Broadway Bakery Ltd and Bakex Millers Ltd
Breadwinners Par Excellence
Creative life should be the aim, without fearing failures or being wrong.
THE INSPIRATION
In 1912, Fulchand Lakhamshi Gada, the grandfather of Bimal, Hiten and Bejul, ignited ambition in his grandsons through hard work and vision. In 1920, he founded Meghji Lakhamshi and Brothers, supplying maize and beans on a simple cart. His journey exemplified the glory of small beginnings leading to great achievements. His relentless spirit inspired generations, teaching them that success lies not only in the products delivered, but also in the dreams nurtured along the way. His legacy continues to shape the family’s path forward.
THE BEGINNING
In 1958, Ratilal and Sobhagchand Shah, the fathers of Hiten and Bimal respectively, co-founded Broadway Bakery Limited, later joined by Chunilal Shah, Bejul’s father. Through relentless effort, they grew the business from a small one-deck oven operation into one of Kenya’s largest bakeries. Their journey embodies perseverance, innovation and the belief that with passion and hard work, dreams can rise—just like their freshly baked bread.
THE BUSINESS
Broadway Bakery thrives on an integrated approach, ensuring that every loaf of bread embodies the highest quality. With a keen focus on modern technology, the bakery has embraced automated processes that elevate production while upholding strict hygiene and safety standards. This fusion of traditional values and cutting-edge solutions has allowed Broadway Bakery to flourish with the Broadways brand, a staple in every household in Kenya.
Recognising the potential for diversification, the brothers ventured into the milling industry by establishing Bakex Millers Limited in 1983. This decision was driven by the need to secure a reliable source of high-quality flour for their bakery business, Broadway Bakery, which was growing rapidly and needed a stable and consistent supply chain to maintain its standards. By controlling the flour production process, they could ensure their end products’ quality while responding more flexibly to market demands.
Baking and Milling
The Shah brothers have elevated Broadway Bakery and Bakex Millers into pillars of Kenya’s food industry. For over 66 years, they have baked the finest bread and milled the finest flour, combining innovation, quality and community welfare. Bimal, Hiten and Bejul have carried their family’s legacy forward, making a lasting impact not only on the industry, but also on the lives of countless people in Thika and beyond. Their dedication reflects the entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of their success.
Broadway Bakery has been more than just a bakery to the Shah family; it has been a symbol of family heritage, resilience and continuous innovation. Founded on the values of quality and commitment, the bakery’s journey has flourished into a thriving business, supported by the creation of Bakex Millers. Through dedication to their craft and community, the Shah brothers have transformed their family legacy into a testament of tradition meeting progress, ensuring that every loaf nourishes and tells a story of passion and purpose.
Kneading Change, Beyond Bread
Bimal joined the family business in 1979, motivated by his family’s distinguished legacy in Thika, and resolved to take it further, step by step. The rich heritage of his ancestors in Thika was exhorting him—perhaps symbolised by the resilience of Fulchandbhai Gada, who had journeyed across oceans to settle in Kenya’s sunny plains. Soon after, his cousins, Hiten and Bejul, joined him in the family business in 1983 and 1990 respectively, creating a formidable trio. “It’s wonderful to work with my brothers, drawing on the rich heritage of our ancestors and learning from our fathers who had been stalwarts in the business,” shares Bimal.
Bimal, Hiten, and Bejul spent their early years under their fathers’ guidance, gaining hands-on experience on the factory floor and learning the intricacies of both the bakery and milling operations. The trio’s shared dedication and tireless efforts helped them adapt quickly to the industry’s demands. “Establishing Bakex Millers allowed us to sustain the family bakery and also opened up new revenue streams by producing flour for other bakeries and businesses in Kenya,” says Hiten.
When their fathers retired in 2000, the three brothers seamlessly took over the reins of leadership. Bejul informs with glittering eyes, “We have always been a team: Bimal’s visionary leadership, Hiten’s operational expertise and my adaptability and fresh perspective. Together, we have navigated competition, regulatory compliance and technological advancements”. Their collective efforts transformed the family enterprise into a renowned name in Kenya’s food industry, with Bakex Millers playing a pivotal role in ensuring that Broadway Bakery and other local businesses had access to high-quality, affordable flour.
Broadway Bakery, known for its quality and tradition, was the first bakery in Kenya to introduce plastic crates for storing and transporting bread.
From Tradition to Innovation
The evolution of Broadway Bakery and Bakex Millers:
Broadway Bakery has evolved over the years by expanding its product line to meet changing tastes and dietary needs. From white or brown, sliced or unsliced, all in different sizes, the bakery offers a wide variety for every need. Bimal emphasizes, “Innovation is important in our industry too – striving to create inclusive products such as whole grain and low sugar offerings that reflect the growing focus on health and wellness”. Bejul adds, “Customer feedback inspires our innovation as we get to craft treats that are both delicious and nourishing”.
Supporting the bakery’s needs is Bakex Millers, the family’s milling operation. Employing advanced milling technology such as precision stone milling and advanced sifting, Bakex Millers ensures consistent, high-quality flour while retaining nutritional value. Hiten highlights, “Quality control is key at every stage from sourcing the best grains to final milling”.
The synergy between Broadway Bakery and Bakex Millers reflects the family’s commitment to blending tradition with innovation. By honouring their family legacy while embracing new trends, they continue to serve their community with superior products that reflect both timeless quality and future-forward flavours.
A Legacy of Baking with Trailblazing Achievements
Broadway Bakery and Bakex Millers have consistently set industry benchmarks with their focus on innovation and community welfare. In 2022, Broadway Bakery was awarded at the CSR Awards – Public Health Initiative. In 2023, the company was awarded with the New Project of the Year for New Bakery Line and the Community Impact Initiative for #BeSugarSmart campaign at The Africa Food Industry Excellence Awards. The Bakery’s commitment to quality and innovation was further highlighted when Kantar Brand Footprint ranked them as Kenya’s third most-chosen brand.
For Bakex Millers, in 2020, their flour packaging earned a Silver Award at The Africa Food Industry Excellence Awards and in 2023, their Ungano flour won Best Outstanding New Product at The Africa Food Industry Excellence Awards.
Bakex Millers boasts an in-house lab where every batch of wheat undergoes rigorous testing. Experts meticulously assess each grain, ensuring it meets the highest standards of quality before ever entering production. Only the finest wheat makes the cut, guaranteeing the excellence of every product that leaves their mill.
Recent Developments
Broadway Bakery
Snacks: In 2019, Broadway Bakery entered the snacks market with the introduction of Mando Bites Mandazis and Maicho Donuts. This move allowed the company to venture into a new segment of the market.
50/50 Bread: Introduced in 2021, this loaf of bread contains a mixture of white and brown flour in every slice. It was designed to provide the delicious taste of white bread while incorporating the nutritional benefits of brown bread.
New Bread Lines: In 2021, Broadway Bakery commissioned a new bread line and they also commissioned another bread line in 2023. Both of these lines are state-of-the-art, fully automated bread lines from Royal Kaak, a Dutch multinational supplier of bakery lines.
Four Square: In 2024, the company introduced a new brand called Four Square where each loaf of bread is cut into equal slices.
Bakex Millers
Launched in 2019, Phulka Atta Mark 1 is made of 100% whole wheat flour and is a premium chapati flour milled from the first specialised Atta Mill in Africa. Along with having numerous health benefits, this fine flour has excellent dough handling qualities and produces products with a delicious taste and just the right texture.
In June 2022, Bakex Millers became the first millers in Kenya, and possibly in Africa, to launch a unique type of wheat flour that combines white home baking flour with brown atta mark 1 flour. This concept was previously unheard of, as it offered consumers the best of both worlds—a flour that retained the great taste of pure white flour while incorporating the healthier attributes of whole wheat atta flour. This innovative flour was named Ungano.
In 2025, the company is looking to use the Phulka brand and launch a home baking flour under this brand.
The Third Generation
Inspired by their fathers, Devan (son of Bimal) and Rohin (son of Hiten) are now actively engaged in the family businesses. Both joined the ventures in 2015, with Devan being based at Broadway Bakery and stepping into the role of Chief Marketing Officer. Meanwhile, Rohin is based at Bakex Millers where he oversees multiple departments including production, operations, sales and marketing, ensuring the continued success and innovation of their family heritage.
Nurturing Hope in Kenya’s Heartland
For the family, philanthropy is a way of life woven into every initiative at Broadway Bakery and Bakex Millers. “Our #BeSugarSmart campaign raises awareness about diabetes through free screenings and education. The ‘Eco Champion’ initiative supports environmental sustainability by planting trees, while the ‘True Kenyan Spirit’ campaign provides food and essentials to vulnerable families. We offer scholarships and learning resources to underprivileged students, emphasizing education as a key pillar under the ‘Towards an Educated Society’ initiative,” says Devan.
Driven by the belief that businesses thrive when communities flourish, the Shah brothers have built a lasting legacy of philanthropy spanning healthcare, education, environmental sustainability and social welfare, impacting countless lives across not only Kenya, but also in India and the United Kingdom.
Ancestry: Timbdi, Jamnagar, Gujarat (India)
Work & Residence: Thika, (Kenya)
Bimal Sobhagchand Shah
Wife: Bharti (married in 1981)
Children: Sita, Ekta and Devan
Hiten Ratilal Shah
Wife: Rishna (married in 1990)
Children: Rohin (married to Hemini) and Chandni
Bejul Chunilal Shah
Wife: Rupal (married in 1992)
Children: Jaini and Jay
AKA
Bimal Shah Broadway Bakery Ltd | Bimal Shah Director Broadway Bakery Ltd | Bimal Shah Director Bakex Millers Ltd | Hiten Shah Broadway Bakery Ltd | Hiten Shah Director Broadway Bakery Ltd | Hiten Shah Director Bakex Millers Ltd | Bejul Shah Broadway Bakery Ltd | Bejul Shah Director Broadway Bakery Ltd | Bejul Shah Director Bakex Millers Ltd
