Founded in 1879 as a partnership firm in Madras by Andrew Vans Dunlop Best, Best & Crompton Engineering was incorporated as a private company in 1911. The name of the company was changed to Best & Co with effect from 1st May, 1975.The company acquired a substantial interest in the Crompton Engineering (Madras) in April 1974, with which it was associated as promoters and shareholders since its inception.