Mr. Anantharamakrishnan, Mr.Sivasailam’s father was an astute businessman. He conceptualised things that many could not even imagine. As early as 1949 he made a foray into manufacturing things as diverse as paints on one hand and precision engineering on the other. And success followed on the heels of the risks he took.
Mr. Anantharamakrishnan, fondly known as “J”, is remembered for his successful business practices, efficient management of the labour unions and for triggering the growth of the automobile industry inChennai, which earned the city the epithet “Detroit of India”. From being the first Indian director of the Simpsons Group of Companies, to becoming Managing Director of Amalgamations, the journey took “J” roughly 30 years.
In 1935 young “J”, joined Simpsons, gathered new experiences, perfected his business skills, and sharpened his abilities as leader of men to become the first Indian Director of the Simpsons Group. And soon, in 1945, the emerging industrialist founded the Amalgamations Group of Industries and led it through 1964 as its Managing Director. The structure of the Amalgamations Group was built up through a combination of acquisitions and the promotion of new ventures.
In 1960, when the Stanes family decided to sell UNITEA, they were hesitant to sell it to any which bidder. They worried that the companies would not be run in the open minded, liberal style of the Stanes family. When J bid, Eric Stanes was instantly reassured that his employees would be in good hands and the deal went through without a hitch – a testament to his leadership qualities and how his reputation preceded him.
It was “J” who set the tone for his successors to follow, and Amalgamations still reaps rich rewards because of this.
