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https://theconversation.com/ratan-tata-a-compassionate-industrialist-who-cared-about-employees-and-citizens-as-well-as-profit-241039>
"Ratan Tata, who has died at the age of 86, was a giant of global industry,
whose interests included cars, steel, hotels, travel and tea. But he was also
hailed as a visionary whose work went far beyond the business world, through
his company’s commitment to social causes.
As the head of Tata Group, an Indian business empire founded over 150 years
ago, Tata became deeply intertwined with India’s corporate growth and societal
development. And he was instrumental in expanding the Tata’s global presence.
One of his most notable achievements was buying the British tea company Tetley
for £271 million in 2000, making Tata one of the largest tea companies in the
world.
It was a bold step towards transforming the Tata group from an Indian
powerhouse into a global player. So too was the acquisition of Jaguar Land
Rover in 2008.
Despite the motoring company’s financial struggles at the time, Tata saw
potential in the British brand. He oversaw significant investment in technology
and design, and his gamble paid off. New models gained global recognition and
Tata Motors became a major force in motoring.
Yet another defining moment in Ratan Tata’s leadership was the US$12 billion
(£9.2 billion) purchase of Corus Steel in 2007, one of the largest takeovers in
Indian corporate history.
Although the deal presented challenges, including fluctuating steel prices and
economic downturns, it underscored Ratan Tata’s strategic vision of expanding
the company’s global footprint – and his ability to see beyond short-term gains
and focus on long-term growth for the group.
Not all of his plans worked out of course. He was heavily involved in the
creation of the Tata Nano in 2008, which was supposed to be a car that was an
affordable and safer alternative to two-wheeled vehicles.
Billed as the “world’s cheapest car”, it cost just over US$2,000. But the Nano
probably deserved better marketing and less hype, and was discontinued in 2019.
Yet it remains a symbol of the company’s innovative spirit – and Ratan Tata’s
determination to improve the everyday lives of Indians."
RIP,
*** Xanni ***
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mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
