2016

Choice School Thiruvalla Started functioning.

New Senior School block opened in Tripunithura Campus.

2015

Kerala Chief Minister Mr. Oomen Chandy laid the Foundation Stone of Choice School Thiruvalla in January 2015. This marked the commencement of the Thiruvalla project.

The Choice School Kozhikode Launched on 14th December 2015, in the presence of Dr. K.Mohammed Basheer, Vice Chancellor, Calicut University.

Choice Kinderland Started at Girinagar, Edappalli, Thiruvalla and Calicut.

2014

Choice Kinderland started at Parvana, Fort Kochi.

2012

The south India's tallest residential building Choice Paradise was inaugurated.

2010

Choice School has become one of the best schools in the state, both in Academics and extracurricular activities, with a student population of about 2000 along with 180 staff members.

The new and technologically advanced IQF Factory at Palluruthy.

Choice Paradise, the tallest structure in South India, which was built with the concept of 80% green & 20% concrete, was completed.

In April 2010, construction of Choice Marina, which is a luxurious apartment complex, was started at Thoppumpady.

2008

JTPac was established with a vision to preserve, nurture and celebrate the performing arts. With a recently inaugurated 625 seat theatre, with state-of-the art equipment, JTPac is a performing space par excellence.

#1 in USA

in the unbreaded shrimp category.

2006

Annamma Thomas, The founding partner of Choice and Jose Thomas’s mother passes away.

2005

When Anti - Dumping was imposed on India, Choice decides to diversify into the Frozen Food business, mainly manufacturing meal kits.

Company gets a major breakthrough when it sold meal kits at Shop Rite supermarkets, which had 46 outlets all over North Eastern region of United States.

2004

Choice Canning Company obtains ISO - 9002 certification for the Seafood Unit at Cochin.

Expands business with Ahold USA.

2003

Choice Canning Company obtains BRC (British Retail Consortium) Certification.

1999

Choice decides to discontinue relationship with Contessa Foods, and establishes its own brand ‘Tastee Choice’ with an intention of supplying directly to the U. S. supermarket.

Started Kinderland at Thripunithura campus.

1996

The Choice Group is among the largest sea food exporters from India have interest in shipping, real estate, travel and education.

May 12, 1996

The New Indian Express

Choice group to promote airline.

In the early nineties, Jose Thomas felt the inherent need for a domestic airline to connect Cochin with the other metros and other international hubs for trade. The large numbers of Keralites living all over the world meant that a service like this would have a wide reach. Choice partnered with AP Mueller, Cpgh and started Choice Airlines. Unfortunately, the airline never took off. The idea was shelved, and a couple of years later India witnessed a surge in private domestic and international carriers that have opened up the skies.

1995

The company’s shipping division, Choice Intermodal Services, was appointed as South India’s agent of Hyundai Merchant Marine of South Korea.

A residential cum commercial complex situated at the heart of Cochin City with duplex penthouses and apartments, besides large modules for exclusive shops and professional offices.

1993

Terminates agency for Ceylon Shipping and focuses on in-house demand for cargo to the USA.

The Choice Group M.D -Jose Thomas, heads Kerala chapter of the federation of Indian Export Organization Sunday Observer, Nov 25, 1993.

Choice Canning Company obtains BRC (British Retail Consortium) Certification.

1992

A residential colony set amidst lush green creative landscaping, it consists of 51 independent luxury houses in an elegantly landscaped housing estate. The estate has wide roads, a swimming pool, a tennis court and all other amenities.

Choice Village is a residential colony with 50 independent homes. These homes are the result of a judicious mix of English and Kerala style architecture. The architecture blends with the serenity of the surrounding natural beauty.

Choice sets up a modern processing plant in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, for producing Black Tiger Shrimp for Contessa Food Products, USA.There are multiple purchase points all over Andhra - Guntur, Nellore, and East& West Godavari. The entry into this market supports demand and also opens up opportunities for local farmers by providing feed, seed and capital.

1991

Jose Thomas appointed as the President of the Steamer’s Association.

Jose Thomas became the president of the Steamer Agents Association of Cochin. Under his leadership, the traders of Cochin were able to obtain the right to House Stuff their cargos in their own premises. This has been useful, and will always be useful for the traders of Cochin who uses the port.

Choice School was started, with a vision of providing value education to children, which would nurture the mind and values of a child.

The Choice Group purchases United Tours and Travels, and later renames it as Choice Tours and Travels.

Choice takes part in the ‘Sea Food Expo 1991’ held at Cochin. Its products becomes popular at the Expo, and Jose Thomas receives an award from minister P. Chidambaram.

1990

Establishes first IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) Factory at Thoppumpady, Cochin.

President’s Award

Receives award from the president of India, for exporting the highest quantity of seafood out of the country.

1988

Partnership terminated when US Lines files for bankruptcy.

1987

Choice sets up its first office overseas, on 19 Rector Street, New York, USA.

1985

Choice Intermodal Services appointed as agents for US Lines.

1983

The Monogram

The Choice logo is designed to symbolize a global company spanning many divisions.

1982

Appointed as agents for Ceylon Shipping Corporation.

1978

Choice Intermodal Services

The company diversifies into shipping, and was the representatives of The Maldives Shipping line. The main focus was on tea and spices.

1976

Mr. O.T Alexander, the eldest son of O.C.Thomas, retires from the partnership.

1974

Primary market is Japan, and the popular product is block frozen shrimp.

The company’s first own factory was built at Kannamally. The factory mainly produced block frozen shrimp, which were caught from the backwaters of Kerala. The total strength of the staff grows to 350; some of who are still on the payrolls to this day.

1972

On 3rd October 1972, Mr. O C Thomas passes away.

On the 4th of October 1972, Jose Thomas, along with his mother and 2 brothers, joins the partnership of Choice Canning Co.

Due to the reformation and reconstruction of the partnership business, the company lost a lot of customers and a huge amount of market share.

1969

Mr. OC Thomas decided to stop canned shrimp processing and introduced the most modern method of the time; block frozen shrimp technology.

Choice
Canning Co.

The main activity of the company was canning of shrimp and exporting it to Canada.

1962

On 1st November 1962,

Choice Canning was established by Mr. O C Thomas, Mr.Madhavan Nair and Mr. P K Nair. The original strength of the company was only 25 employees.

Mr. OC Thomas with wife Annamma, and sons Jose, Alexander and Tom Thomas (standing left to right).

A family of entrepreneurs.

OC Thomas in the first packing room at Kannamaly factory. True to the role of a team leader, he was actively involved in the daily operations of the factory.

1960

Choice Canning, Cochin

"An idea sparks in the mind of OC Thomas; and an empire is born."

- The Hindu, May 29, 1962.