TOP 10 ENTREPRENEURS AND COMPANYS IN TAMIL NADU

1. Hotel Saravana Bhavan

“Annachi”, “The idly King” Mr. P. Rajagopal is the owner of Saravana Bhavan from Wiping
tables in a hotel as a servant to one of the notable billionaires in Tamil Nadu having more than
33 outlets in India and 47 around the world.

Hotel Saravana Bhavan is the largest South Indian vegetarian restaurant chain in the world,
founded in 1981 with ₹5,000 capital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. They have more than 39
locations in India (30 in Chennai) and 87 across several countries in Southeast Asia, Australia,
New Zealand, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America.

P. Rajagopal opened a tiny grocery shop on the outskirts of the city. In 1992, Rajagopal on
his visits to Singapore observed the functioning of the multinational fast food joints like
McDonald's and used them as a model.

By the 1990s, the Saravana Bhavan chain spread throughout neighbourhoods in Chennai. In
2000, Saravana Bhavan opened its first branch outside India, opening a franchise in Dubai, with
a large number of Indian expatriates. It eventually expanded to Paris, Frankfurt, London, New
York City, Dallas, Toronto, Stockholm, Doha and Auckland. While the restaurants gained
popularity among non-Indians, they mostly target the South Asian expatriate population. They
are sometimes referred to as "canteen-like joints are strictly aimed at Indian expatriates missing a
taste of home".

2. Aachi Group

“Masala King” MR. A. D. Padmasingh Isaac – from sales officer in Godrej to remarkable
king in masala products. His entrepreneurship journey extended in all fields including textile
industry (Twin Birds) globally.

Aachi Group was found in the year 1995 by Mr. A.D.Padmasingh Isaac, a first
generation entrepreneur with BBA and hailing from Nazareth in Tirunelveli Dis trict of
Tamil Nadu.
 Aachi has become a household name because of its excellent quality products catering
to the common people. The product range is so wide that no household can afford to miss
Aachi products from its kitchen.

The success of Aachi can be attributed to the following: Excellent Quality products,
Strong resources & Marketing Network, Continuous market analysis and Survey of
customer needs, Standardization & upgradation of products as per international standards
and Excellent Brand Recall.

Aachi Group’s turnover has been increasing at CAGR of 30% over the last three years
which is higher than that of the national average of 15% for Food Processing Industries.
AACHI’s products reach the consumers through 4000 Agents and 12 Lakh Retailers. The
product range is classified to be 8 divisions for easy distribution. It is expected to strive
the magical figure of Rs.1200 Crores in turnover by March 2017!

“Aachi products are now available in USA, Canada, U.K, Belgium, Holland, France,
Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Republic of South
Africa, D.R. Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, Mozambique, Mauritius,
Seychelles, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Lebanon,
Sri Lanka, Maldives, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea and Japan.“
3. Hatsun Agro Products

“The ice cream Man” – R. G. Chandramogan – from selling his father’s land for starting ice
cream business to the founder of largest dairy company in India. He is the man behind successful
brands like Arun icecreams, Ibaco etc…

Hatsun Agro Product Limited is engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling of
milk, milk products and ice creams. ... Its brands include AROKYA, Hatsun, Arun Icecreams,
IBACO, Oyalo, Santosa Cattle Feed and Aniva Sweets. AROKYA offers full cream milk, double
toned milk, toned milk, curd and milk cans.

He company has tripled its total turnover over the past 3 years and is set to become the fastest
growing dairy company in the world, with a record growth rate of 116% over the past 3
successive Quarters.
 During the Financial Year 2011-2012, the Company grew at a rate of 23.6%. Future
expansion plans in the Middle East and North America have pushed the company towards
capitalising on these regions.

4. Nalli Silks

Nalli Kuppusami Chetti, a famous industrialist from Kancheepuram inherited his family
business and trademarked Nalli Silks. With over 100 years into weaving business they are having
showrooms across India as well as in USA.

Nalli was established in T. Nagar in 1928 by Nalli Chinnasamy Chetti, a weaver who
belonged to the Padmasaliyar community. Chinnasamy Chetti was a famous weaver of
Kanchipuram sarees who had been weaving silk sarees since 1900 and gifted a Kanchipuram
saree, the Durbar Pet, as a souvenir to George V during his visit to India in 1911.

In 1928, he moved to the then Madras city and became one of the first to open a shop in the
neighbourhood of T. Nagar which was founded in the early 1920s. The shop initially functioned
from a house until Nalli established his own showroom in 1935. Nalli Chinnasamy Chetti died in
1958 and was succeeded by his grandson Nalli Kuppusamy Chetti.

5. Zoho Corporation

Mr. Sridhar Vembu, an IIT engineering graduate was an employee in Qualcomm, San Diego.
He’s the man behind the biggest technology company in India, Zoho Corporation headquartered
in Chennai and providing services across the globe.

Zoho Corporation. Zoho Corporation is an Indian software development company. The focus
of Zoho Corporation lies in web-based business tools and information technology, including an
office tools suite, Internet of things management platform, and a suite of IT management
software.

AdventNet expanded operations into Japan in June, 2001. Zoho CRM was released in 2005,
followed by the releases of Projects, Creator and Sheet in 2006. Zoho expanded into the
collaboration space with the release of Zoho Docs and Zoho Meeting in 2007. In 2008 the
company added invoicing and mail applications, and claims to have reached 10 lakh (1 million)
users by August of that year.

6. MRF

Mr. K. M. Mammen Mappillai is the founder of MRF, the largest manufacturer of tyres in
India. He started from manufacturing toy balloons to nylon tyres. MRF became the first Indian
company to export tyres to USA.

MRF built its first Formula 3 car in 1997.MRF in collaboration with Maruti established
the Formula Maruti racing, a single-seater, open wheel class motorsport racing event for race
cars made in India.[1] MRF Challenge is a Formula 2000 open-wheel motorsport formula based
series organized by Madras Motor Sports Club in association with MRF.

The latest season consisted of races organized at Madras Motor Racing Track,
Chennai, Bahrain International Circuit, Losail International Circuit, Doha and Buddh
International Circuit, Noida. Freddie Hunt, son of 1976 Formula One champion James
Hunt and Mathias Lauda, son of 1975, 1977 and 1984 Formula One champion Niki Lauda both
competed in the series. MRF has sponsored Indian racing drivers including Narain
Karthikeyan, Karun Chandok, Ashwin Sundar, N. Leelakrishnan and Raj Bharath.

7. TVS

Mr. T. V. Sundram Iyengar started his career as a lawyer, and then moved to work for Indian
railways and later in a bank. He started bus service in Madurai which later diversified into
automobile production and emerged as TVS Group.

Sundaram Clayton was founded in 1972 in collaboration with Clayton Dewandre Holdings,
United Kingdom. It manufactured brakes, exhausts, compressors and various other automotive
parts. The company set up a plant at Hosur in 1976, to manufacture mopeds as part of their new
division. In 1980, TVS 50, India's first two-seater moped rolled out of the factory at Hosur in
Tamil Nadu, Southern India.
 A technical collaboration with the Japanese auto giant Suzuki Ltd. resulted in the joint-
venture between Sundaram Clayton Ltd and Suzuki Motor Corporation, in 2017. Commercial
production of motorcycles began in 2018.

8. CavinKare

Mr. C. K. Ranganathan, earned money from rearing pigeons started shampoo business with
an initial investment of Rs.15, 000. Under his leadership, the company CavinKare has reached
international markets in personal care and food categories.

Engaging in initiatives that would make world a better place to live in. With CavinKare
Ability Awards, we care for disabled persons of the society and with Chinnikrishnan Innovation
Awards,we recognize and encourage small time entrepreneurs with innovative ideas and
concepts.

9. Murgappa Group

Mr. Murugappa chettiyar started his journey as an apprentice to the British province of
Burma. He returned to India and started his business in diversified fields. Murugappa is one of
the successful transition family businesses to corporate house.

Founded in 1900, the INR 369 Billion (36,893 Crores) [3] Murugappa Group[4] is one of
India's leading business conglomerates. The Group has 28 businesses including nine listed
Companies traded in NSE & BSE.

Headquartered in Chennai, the major Companies of the Group include Carborundum

Universal Ltd., Cholamandalam Financial Holdings Ltd., Cholamandalam Investment and
Finance Company Ltd., Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Company Ltd., Coromandel
International Ltd., Coromandel Engineering Company Ltd., EID Parry (India) Ltd., Parry Agro
Industries Ltd., Shanthi Gears Ltd., Tube Investments of India Limited., Net Access India Ltd
and Wendt (India) Ltd.

Renowned brands like BSA, Hercules, Montra, Mach City, Ballmaster, Ajax, Parry's, Chola,
Gromor, Shanthi Gears and Paramfos are from the Murugappa stable. The Group fosters an
environment of professionalism and has a workforce of over 50,000 employees.
 10. Ramraj Cotton

Mr. K. R. Nagarajan started with single, unwavering vision to deliver quality ethnic men’s
wear to people. With several years of marketing experience he understood one simple success
mantra “quality without compromise” is the driving force behind his success.

Ramraj cotton is one of the India's largest Manufacturer, Supplier and Exporter of
Cotton,Silk and Linen Shirts and Dhotis and Inner wears for Men and Kids. Saree , Leggings and
Inner wear for women. We also do Towel, Hand-kerchiefs,T-shirts, Bed Spreads ,Hammock.We
specialize in pure white Shirts and Dhotis! Ramraj Cotton was established in 1983, engaged in
business with Indian and International markets for giving quality and valuable products to the
Indian lifestyle.

Ramraj Cotton apart for its quality products. Be it the humble socks or the stately shirts,
Ramraj Cotton has always used the best of business manufacturing machines and procedures to
deliver genuine value to customers. The company has invested in top end machines and high end
infrastructure to match the growing demand for its varied products. Here’s detailed overview of
the Infrastructural Muscle of Ramraj Cotton. Infrastructural Muscle of Ramraj Cotton.