Mallika Srinivasan – Tafe, the Tractor Queen, Journey of Women Entrepreneurs

Mallika Srinivasan – Tafe, India’s Power Businesswoman in Tractor Manufacturing

Mallika Srinivasan, the Tractor Queen was born on November 19, 1959. She was always brilliant in academics. Her father’s name is Mr. A Sivasailam, a noted industrialist. Mallika is the eldest daughter of her late father Mr. A Sivasailam.

Mallika Srinivasan is the pride of her parents. She Married the CMD of TVS Motor, Venu Srinivasan and lived happily with their two children.

She took a keen interest in business studies. This is the reason why she pursued her degree in MA (econometrics) from Madras University. Thereafter, she went abroad to pursue further studies. She received her MBA degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

She came back to India and joined the family business in 1986 under the expert guidance of her father. She was General Manager of Tafe (Tractors and Farm Equipment) Company. With the hearted support of the Tafe team, Mallika brought about a major transformation.

TAFE – Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited was incorporated in 1960 at Chennai, India. She is the Chairman & Managing Director of TAFE – Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited. She transformed Tafe into a hi technology-oriented tractor manufacturing company, thereby becoming the initial choice of the Indian farmers.

The company also engaged in diesel engines, tractors, hydraulic pumps, farm machinery, engineering plastics, and automobile franchises, cylinders, batteries, and plantations.

Today, Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited is the second-largest in India and 3rd largest tractor manufacturer in the world in terms of volume. The company has branches in 82 countries.

She has held various positions in industry bodies including the Tractor Manufacturers’ Association of India, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, and Confederation of Indian Industry. She is known for her contribution to the Indian agriculture machinery business. Mallika is also known for her entrepreneurial skills.

Mallika Srinivasan is a member of the Governing Board of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Chennai, member of the Executive Board of the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, Governing Body of Stella Maris College, Chennai, and a member of the Bharathidasan Institute of Management (BIM), Trichy.

As far as corporate social responsibility (CSR) is concerned, Mallika Srinivasan supports several healthcare and educational facilities in Tirunelveli. In addition, she also support the the Cancer Hospital in Chennai, Sankara Nethralaya through the Indira Sivasailam Endowment Fund, and also promotes the musical tradition of Carnatic music.

Mallika strengthened TAFE’s partnership with an American agricultural equipment manufacturer named AGCO for the growth of both the companies. TAFE – Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited is now just behind Mahindra Tractors in India in terms of revenue & turnover, and comes in a close 3rd after the US giant, John Deree.

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