Nasik is an important centre of commerce and manufacturing industries since the last five decades. Being situated in the vicinity of Bombay and that too on the Bombay-Agra national highway it assumed considerable importance. The growth of joint­stock campanies is also very much related too its prosperity as a centre of industry and commerce. The first joint-stock company in the district was the Swastik Iron Works which was established at Nasik Road in 1910. This was followed by another company, viz., New India Machine Works which was established in 1923.

The total number of joint-stock companies in the district stood at 33 in 1965-66. Of these, one was established as early as 1910, and five were established during the period between the First World War and the beginning of the Second World War. The period during the Second World War witnessed the growth of, eight companies, while nineteen companies came into existence after the War. The growth of companies was rapid during the post Independence period.

Of the 33 companies, 15 are engaged in manufacturing, 4 in trade and commerce, 4 in transport and 8 ill miscellaneous pursuits while 2 are public utility concerns. A majority of them are located at Nasik whereas a few are at Malegaon, Sinnar and Lasalgaon.

Of the 33 joint-stock companies, 8 are public limited companies while 25 are private limited concerns. The, Nasik-Deolali Electric Supply Company which is a public limited concern is by far the biggest company in the district. It was established in 1930. The authorised capital of this company amounts to Rs. 15,00,000, and the paid up capital to Rs. 12,68,400. The Bhikusa Yamasa Kshatriya Private Ltd. is another very important company in the district, established in 1957. The authorised capital of this company is reported to be Rs. 10,00,000 and paid up capital Rs. 3,00,000.

The following table gives the statistics of the various joint-stock companies in the district:­

TABLE No. 25 - STATISTICS OF PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANIES,

NASIK DISTRICT, 1965-66

Type of Company	No. of Companies	Authorised Capital in Rs.	Subscribed Capital in Rs.	Paid up Capital in Rs.
Manufacturing	10	43,50,000	7,88,000	7,87,500
Trading	3	31,000	23,150	7,564
Transport	4	2,97,800	1,67,775	1,67,775
Miscellaneous	8	6,08,000	92,400	....

TABLE No. 26-STATISTICS OF PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANIES,

NASIK DISTRICT, 1965-66

Type of Company	No. of Companies	Authorised Capital in Rs.	Subscribed Capital in Rs.	Paid up Capital in Rs.
Manufacturing	5	30,00,000	4,16,495	3,87,120
Trading	1	....	....	....
Public Utility	2	20,00,000	13,87,760	13,87,650