Mr. Sivasailam – The person who raised Amalgamations Group from a modest profile in the 1960s to one of the country’s major industrial houses to reckon with today. He started small – with a short stint at a Chartered Accountants Firm in London. When he returned to India, Mr.Sivasailam was entrusted with the task of giving shape to a new company – today’s TAFE. And there was no looking back after that. He grew in stature from TAFE’s General Manager in 1961 to Chairman and MD in subsequent years.
From there it was a short step towards becoming the Chairman of the Amalgamations Group in 1968. Under his wise governance, the Group grew exponentially and more than doubled its revenues.
UNITEA was close to Mr.Sivasailam’s heart. It was here that he was able to combine his well-honed business acumen with his genuine desire to make a change in the very fabric of the tea estate. It was during his time that the bold move to Organic tea was made. Mr.Sivasailam was one of those rare individuals who was conferred the degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by not one but many universities for his contribution to both agricultural business management and industrial development.
When it came to his beloved workforce, nothing was left to chance. He spearheaded many “firsts” in the tea industry – the first hospital inside an estate which soon opened its doors to the neighbouring villages too, the first higher secondary school benefitting not only the estate children but also 27 surrounding villages, the first, and only pension scheme ever in the history of plantations in India.
Mr.Sivasailam won a place for himself in the business world but he had a bigger place in people’s hearts. He was admired and respected for his compassion, his generosity, and his willingness to go the extra mile. His magnanimity kept the awards pouring in, including the highest Indian Civilian award – The Padma Shri.
