Venu Srinivasan - Chairman and Managing Director, TVS Motor Company, India; Former President of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)

Persona

Hard work, persistence and self-belief maketh the man Venu Srinivasan. With the success of TVS, he has shown the nation how an Indian company can grow to be a company of global quality and recognition and manufacture products that can match or even exceed the best in the world by adopting the right work ethos and successful work culture.

Despite being the grandson of the TVS founder T.V.Sundaram Iyengar, Venu Srinivasan began his career as a mechanic in his own garage during vacations and put in long, gruelling hours of preparation for his task ahead. In 1979 Venu Srinivasan an engineer and an MBA from Purdue University (USA) took over as the CEO of Sundaram-Clayton. The same year TVS Motor Company was born, and under Venu Srinivasan's persistent and diligent work grew to be the third largest two-wheeler manufacturing unit in India.

A perfectionist and a visionary, Venu Srinivasan pioneered the TQM (Total Quality Management) concept based on the Japanese model, long before most enterprises in India did. His obsession with excellence and quality bore rich dividends with Sundaram Clayton and TVS Motor Company winning the global quality benchmark - the Deming Application Prize in 2002. Soon more awards and honors followed.

Sweet is the taste of success, especially when it is hard won. The Deming Application Prize won by TVS in the year 2001 stands testimony to what a persistent and robust leader can do to a company. By upgrading the plant, investing in new technology and implementing stringent quality programs and under the able leadership of Venu Srinivasan the company came into its own. The new Victor motorcycle took off in late 2001 and just a year after TVS started manufacturing on its own- the company won the Deming Prize, the coveted international award for quality management, crowning a decade-long effort to achieve quality, independence, and manufacturing excellence.

JRD Tata award for Venu Srinivasan

Chairman and Managing Director, TVS Motor Company Venu Srinivasan, was conferred with the prestigious JRD Tata Corporate Leadership Award in the year 2004, by the All-India Management Association (AIMA). As the tenth recipient of this award, Mr. Venu Srinivasan joins the distinguished list of previous awardees comprising late Aditya Bikram Birla, Mr. Deepak Parekh, Mr. N.R. Narayana Murthy, Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, Mr. Azim Premji, Mr. Suresh Krishna, Mr. M.V. Subbiah, Dr. J.J. Irani and Mr. A.M. Naik.

Star of Asia Award

Describing Venu Srinivasan’s role in shaping TVS into a world-class company as a “Saga of Persistence”, Business Week chose him as the "Star of Asia” in 2003.
“For more than a decade, Srinivasan worked hard to revive his company, which manufactured motorcycles and scooters in a joint venture with Suzuki Motor Corporation after a strike nearly disrupted it. By 2001, TVS Motor Company had become strong enough to split from Suzuki on favorable terms and start manufacturing on its own,” the publication noted.
A visibly happy Venu Srinivasan responded “I am proud that an Indian Company today is winning laurels amidst competition in the same segment from International business houses. It speaks volumes of our diligent and dedicated work force at TVS Motor Company who have worked hard even under trying circumstances to keep the company in the forefront of our business.”
Indeed TVS was the only Indian manufacturer eligible for this special distinction in the Stars of Asia 2002 along with stalwarts like Toyota Motor Corporation- President, Fujio Cho.

Doctorate from University of Warwick, U.K

University of Warwick, Coventry, Warwickshire honored Venu Srinivasan with a Doctorate Degree in Science in recognition for his excellence in manufacturing and contribution in the field of Technology and Research & Development. The honor comes in recognition of the pivotal role played by Venu Srinivasan in elevating the TVS Motor Company to the position of a leading manufacturer of two-wheelers in the world and making it on par with global two-wheeler giants. This he achieved by adopting a work culture that matches the best in the world and by carrying out his vision through persistence, hard work, and self-belief.

Sudarshan Venu - Joint Managing Director, TVS Motor Company, India

Fresh, Dynamic and Driven, Sudarshan Venu brings a refreshing outlook to brand TVS.

Being an automotive enthusiast, he grew up amidst the roar of engines of India’s oldest factory racing team. Driven by passion, he has motorbiked in 4 continents. These experiences suit Sudarshan Venu well, as he charts the future of one of India’s leading 2-wheeler manufacturer, TVS Motor Company as its Joint Managing Director. Under Sudarshan Venu’s leadership, TVS Motor has already seen a turnaround in the Market Share and has been the Most Awarded Two - Wheeler Company. It’s a testimony to focus that Sudarshan Venu’s focus, that TVS Motor has been voted No. 1 in Customer Satisfaction for 3 years in a row by the prestigious J. D. Power Awards.

Sudarshan has played a pivotal role in the expansion of TVS Motor Company in Central America in partnership with Masesa, for distribution of two-wheelers and three-wheelers in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua.

Sudarshan holds a Graduate Degree with Honors in the Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology from the University of Pennsylvania. He also obtained B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the School of Engineering and B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School. Mr. Venu completed M.Sc. in International Technology Management from the Warwick Manufacturing Group attached to the University of Warwick in U.K.

Sudarshan is the Joint Managing Director of TVS Motor Company. In addition to that, he holds a number of key positions within the company. He is a Member of the Board at Sundaram - Clayton Ltd. In addition, he also has been instrumental in the setting up and success of Emerald Haven (Realty) and TVS Credit Services (non-deposit NBFC). He is also a director in TVS Credit Services Limited.

K N Radhakrishnan - Director and Chief Executive Officer, TVS Motor Company, India

An eminent leader in the automobile industry, Radhakrishnan is well known for his strategic planning, focus on quality, passion for customers and eye for technology.

In his previous role, he held the position of Executive Vice President (India operations), TVS Motor Company Limited. He started his career as Management Trainee in Sundaram-Clayton Limited (A TVS Group Company) Automotive Brakes Division and later became the head of Business Planning and HR & TQM of Sundaram-Clayton – Brakes Division and all the component divisions such as aluminium die casting, plastic, rubber and Harita Seating System. During this journey, he has also been at the helm of all component divisions of the TVS Group.

With decades of leadership skills, he has played a crucial role in transforming TVS Motor from a local favourite company to the third largest two wheeler manufacturer in India, respected for quality globally. During his tenure, the company’s turnover increased from Rs. 2,955 crores (2004-05) to Rs. 15,000 crores (2017-18) and achieved annual sales of over 2 million two-wheelers. His relentless efforts and commitment have helped the company win the prestigious Deming Application Prize in 2002 from the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers, Japan and the prestigious TPM Excellence Award from Japan institute of Plant Maintenance in 2004. The company commenced its overseas plant in Indonesia in June 2007 and entered the 3-wheeler segment in March 2008 under his esteemed leadership.

K N Radhakrishnan holds a Master’s degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai and has also undergone Management Education Program from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

He is Executive Committee Member of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.