Our Story

1937

Kobe, Japan

Elpey Japan founder Laxman Pessumal Chablani (LP) is born to a family of Sindhi traders

Orange beverage in a clear glass with a straw, lime garnish, and herbs.

1939

Mumbai, India

LP’s family leaves Japan for India at the outbreak of World War II

Close-up of a black and yellow racing drone with four propellers, two black and two yellow, on a black and yellow striped surface.

1956

Kobe

LP returns to Japan at the age of 19 to begin working in textiles

black and white photo office background three people facing camera indian man japanese man japanese woman

1959

Osaka, Japan

LP founds Elpey Impex Shokai, a textile trading company

black and white image man behind desk smiling window background

1960s

The company grows rapidly, establishing connections with East Asian, Middle Eastern, African and North American markets

A vintage photo of three men holding two young boys in an indoor setting with curtains and a bookshelf in the background.

1960s

New faces arrive as the company grows. Nari Jesswani (3rd from right) and Nari Daswani (farthest right) will both go on to play significant roles in the future success of the company

1970s & 80s

Branch offices are established in Taiwan, Singapore, Dubai & New York

1975

LP’s younger brother, Hiro Chablani (right), joins the business. He would manage the Taiwan and New York offices and help expand the business into South American markets

1980

Elpey Impex Sokai is incorporated as Elpey Japan Limited

A close-up image of a black background with a thin gold horizontal line at the top.

1983

Osaka

After partnering with other businesses to construct new office buildings in Chuo Ward, Osaka, Elpey Japan moves into its current home in Maya Building No. 2

smiling man shirt sitting behind desk with folded hands

1984

Osaka

Current Director Mahesh Chablani joins Elpey Japan in the new Osaka office

1991

War in the Middle East sees the company expand to include more European markets, spurring substantial growth

Five men in formal and semi-formal attire standing closely together in a room, smiling at the camera. One of the men has his arm around another. The background shows a window and part of a wall, with some items on a table in front.

1998

Osaka

Current Director Amit Chablani (farthest left) joins the business in the Osaka main office

Gold fireworks exploding against a black background.

2019

Two gold-colored fireworks exploding against a black background.

Elpey Japan celebrates 60 years of business

Blurry image of a document or screen with text and some shapes, difficult to read or interpret.
Two men standing in front of a building entrance with Japanese and English signage.

2025

Elpey Japan continues to serve global markets from its base in Osaka, growing the team and our network of suppliers and clients