Industry doyen leaves behind a rich legacy
I distinctly remember my first trip to Rajapayalam, Tamil Nadu. The year was 2011 when I had just assumed responsibility for The Textile Magazine. I had already heard a lot about Rajapalayam Mills. The mill had in fact just then completed 75 years. It was a great experience walking around the world-class spinning facility. While moving around the Rajapalayam town, what struck me most was the contribution made by the Ramco Group towards development of the community. Whether it was establishment of schools, colleges, industrial training centers, hostels, hospitals, community halls and employment for lakhs of people directly and indirectly helping in the development of Rajapalayam and the villages nearby, the group was playing a key role. Started by the founder P.A.C. Ramasamy Raja and continued by his son Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha for more than seven decades, the group’s contribution goes beyond the business of textiles.
Mr. Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha passed away on May 11, 2017. It’s a great loss for the Indian textile industry and more particularly to the people of Rajapalayam where he breathed his last and was laid to rest. We look back on the tremendous contribution made by Mr. Rajha over the last seven decades. This is our tribute to one of the most respected business leaders in Indian textile industry.
Mr. Rajha was the Chairman of the $1 billion Ramco Group of companies, a diversified business house with presence in varied sectors, including, textiles, cement, software and education. He diligently built the Ramco Group on the strong foundation laid by the Group’s founder; his illustrious father, the late P.A.C. Ramasamy Raja. The remarkable business acumen and visionary zeal of Mr. Rajha has taken the group to new heights.
The early years
While the Ramco Group presently employing over 7,000 persons has diversified presence in different sectors, it was in the textile industry that Mr. Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha first cut his professional teeth. After completing his Bachelor of Science (Physics) from the prestigious Loyola College, Madras, he began his career as an ordinary worker in B&C Mills. Subsequently he was trained as an officer in Harveys Mills, Madurai.
In the mid-1950s, Mr. Rajha was keen to pursue higher education in textile technology in Manchester. His father though had other plans- to help his heir gain knowledge in running a textile mill, working his way up from the grassroots. His son was therefore asked to undergo the 18-month apprentice scheme of Buckingham and Carnatic Mills as ordinary labour in Chennai, much to the surprise of its Managing Director, Mr. Castell.
The training did not end there. Mr. Rajha was then enrolled in Madura Mills under the “Graduate Commercial Apprentice Scheme” where he was trained in different departments as an officer. The years of training, though very tough, made him fully realize the role of workers for the success of an enterprise. It was only then that the founder handed over management of the mills to his son, confident that he would take care of his workers as well as the company.
After having established a number of industrial units and educational institutions which had provided employment and education to a large number of people of his birthplace, Mr. Ramasamy Raja passed away in 1962. At the age of just 27, Mr. Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha had to shoulder the responsibility of managing the institutions established by his father. It was under his leadership that total modernization and massive expansion took place. The extensive training he received from his father helped ensure a smooth succession.
The modernization of the group’s textile division consisting of the flagship company, Rajapalayam Mills Ltd., and many other spinning mills was taken up by Mr. Rajha once he took over charge from his father in 1955.
Modernization spree
After assuming full responsibility of the mills, Mr. Rajha undertook the first task of modernization of all the units and introduction of high technology in 1962 – the two imperatives essential in the manufacture of quality products. He was particularly keen that this parent company of the group should always be the most profitable spinning mill in the country. With this goal in view, he took far-reaching steps in completely modernizing the mill, changing the purchase and sales policies and reorienting the approach towards labour.
In 1968, on the advice of G.K. Devarajulu, the then Chairman of Lakshmi Machine Works Ltd., Mr. Rajha ordered for new Lakshmi-Rieter spinning frames released for the first time that year. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Rajha had stated: “We feel that Shri GKD had blessed our institution by supplying his latest ring frames which enabled us to supply quality yarn to our quality conscious indigenous customers as well as international buyers. I salute Shri GKD’s family for their great contribution for the introduction of spinning machines of latest technology in India”.
Mr. Rajha is considered a trend-setter in the textile industry having introduced modern technologies for producing high quality cotton yarn. The pioneer in introducing Open End Yarn in India, Mr. Rajha also established the first export-oriented spinning mill unit in the entire South India. The group’s textile division has been exporting high quality yarn to Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan.
In 1982, Rajapalayam Mills got the first-ever open-end spinning machine supplied by Rieter to manufacture 10s yarn to cater to the needs of the handloom sector in the South. A lot of promotional effort was undertaken to popularize the use of open-end yarn in this sector.
In 1991, Rajapalaiyam Spintext was established as a 100% export-oriented unit (EOU), the first of its kind in south India. At that time, many spinning mill owners dared not start a spinning mill as a 100 per cent EOU because of the insistence of international buyers on stringent quality and the difficulty of a spinning mill in exporting its entire production. However, Spintext was started as a 100 per cent EOU with the co-operation of Mitsubishi Corporation. This unit was inaugurated on January 30, 1992, by Mr. Yuzo Takeuchi, Managing Director, Dokobo, Japan.
Subsequently another 100 per cent EOU, Rajapalaiyam Textiles, was set up in 1996. The yarn manufactured by this unit was well accepted by the quality conscious consumers in Japan.
In 1988, the company celebrated its Golden Jubilee. The celebrations were inaugurated by G.K. Devarajulu. It was presided over by Mr. G. Ramanujam, the then INTUC President, Mr. P. Chidambaram, the then Union Minister for Home Affairs, was the Chief Guest.
The Ramco Group of companies celebrated the birth centenary of its founder, Mr. Ramasamy Raja on April 24, 1994. The function was presided over by Mr. R. Venkatraman, former President of India.
With the removal of the quota system for export of yarn from the beginning of 2005, the textile industry expected good export demand, and Mr. Rajha decided to expand the capacity by 25,000 spindles. This unit commenced commercial production in 2006. In order to improve the yarn quality, the company invested in a big way in the compact spinning system from Suessen, Germany, for the first time in India.
In 2008, a state-of-the-art spinning mill was commissioned with advanced compact spinning system from Rieter (K441), Switzerland, with fully automated link coners from Savio, one of the latest technologies implemented for the first time in India and fully imported back process machineries to produce yarn, which is untouched by hand. Meanwhile, an automatic Savio open-end spinning mill was set up in Andhra Pradesh in 2008 with 1,800 rotors.
Over the years, Rajapalayam Mills has introduced various value-added products, viz., TFO yarn, gassed yarn, Elitwist yarn, slub yarn, etc. As a part of the continuous intensive modernization programme, the company has invested in state-of-the-art textile machinery and equipment like Suessen / Rieter compact set, carding machines, soft package winding machine, etc.
Consistent growth
When Mr. Rajha took over, the company’s net worth was Rs. 42 lakhs and the turnover Rs. 1 crore. It was the only mill with a capacity of 40,000 spindles. Under his leadership, the company grew to an aggregate capacity of 1,21,856 spindles (including 56,080 compact spinning spindles, 11,568 Eli-Twist spindles and 2,400 slub yarn spindles). The company also has 2,000 rotors in Rajapalayam and around 2,000 rotors in Andhra Pradesh. Rajapalayam Mills’ net worth has increased to Rs. 216 crores as on March 31, 2016, with a total revenue of Rs. 414 crores for the financial year 2015-16.
All these have been achieved with an investment of only Rs. 5.38 lakhs by way of share capital from the shareholders and an investment of more than Rs. 600 crores, mainly by plough-back profits without seeking additional investment from shareholders. This has been possible only because of prudent management under the vision and stewardship of the Chairman. He followed his father’s philosophy: “A contented worker will give to the employer better work and therefore better profits”.
So harmonious have industrial relations been at the Ramco Group that not a single labour dispute has been referred to the tribunal or court since 1938. “My father envisioned the social responsibility of corporates even before it is legally scripted today. He established a hostel for Harijans in 1950, which enabled many Harijan students coming from villages to stay in the hostel and study in the schools in Rajapalayam. They later on joined many important Government services and other agencies. In addition, we have also started many schools, a Polytechnic College and an Industrial Training Centre under the auspices of the Education Charity Trust started by my father for imparting quality education to the children of this area”, Mr. Rajha had observed while going into details on this key aspect.
Well known across the country for his humility, clarity and daring dexterity in challenging environments, his leadership qualities have been instrumental in making the group’s textile division counted among the top in what is a highly competitive industry. A staunch advocate of professional management and strict adherence to highest quality standards, Mr. Rajha’s steadfastness has seen him become one of the foremost figures in the country’s textile industry.
Ramco Cements growth
Ramco Cements, part of the Ramco Group, also grew on to become a most preferred choice of the construction industry under the able leadership of this industry doyen. The company is the first in South India to convert to dry process technology. It had installed what was then the biggest kiln in India, having an annual clinkerization capacity of 4.5 lakh tonnes way back in 1975. His pioneering efforts and concern towards the environment saw the company produce blended cement using fly ash as far back in 1975. Today Ramco Cements is counted among the topmost cement brands in the country.
CSR initiatives
Right from its inception the Ramco Group has been known for its CSR initiatives. Services aimed at social development have always been one of the group’s core objectives. The CSR focus got further fillip under the leadership of Mr. Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha. The group runs several educational institutions to impart better education to all sections of the society, especially the underprivileged children. The group is promoting many prominent charitable foundations, including the Raja Charity Trust, P.A.C. Ramasamy Raja Educational Trust and the P.A.C.R. Sethurammal Charities.
The group established a tribal welfare hostel named ‘Jayanth Tribal Students Hostel’ in 2005. The Ramco Medical Care Centre was established in 2007 under the auspices of the P.A.C. Ramasamy Raja Centenary Trust to render quality medical treatment to the downtrodden in the society at an affordable cost. The medical centre boasts of modern facilities complete with the latest equipment such as CT scan, 3D Ultra Sound & Doppler, fully equipped lab, computerized X-ray, etc. This apart, Mr. Rajha also contributed generously to the Government Hospital, Rajapalayam, which is incidentally named after his late father, P.A.C. Ramasamy Raja.
Preservation of the rich Indian cultural legacy is another aspect high on the agenda of the group’s social initiatives. For instance, it has established the P.A.C. Ramasamy Raja Memorial Music School in Rajapalayam in 1962. It is also running successfully a ‘Veda Patasala’ in Rajapalayam.
We at The Textile Magazine salute this visionary, who, with his path-breaking ideas, infectious enthusiasm and ceaseless toil, has left a lasting impression on the Indian textile industry, while driving the destiny of the Ramco Group towards greater glory till his very last breath.
LMW-Ramco decades-long association
Mr. P.R. Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha, a doyen of the textile industry, a visionary, a philanthropist, an incredible human being, has left an indelible impression on the textile industry and social life.
Rajapalayam Mills Ltd., one of the leading textile mills in India, has completed 81 years of steady growth. LMW cherishes its long-standing relationship with the Ramco Group that dates back to the year 1938. During the mill inauguration on August 5, 1938, my great grandfather late Shri. G. Kuppusamy Naidu along with Shri. P.S. Ganga Naidu, Founder of the PSG Group of Industries, fed the first cotton in the blowroom machine.
After the demise of Mr. P.A.C. Ramasamy Raja in 1962, Mr. P.R. Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha, at a young age of 27 years, took over the responsibilities, and under his leadership total modernization and massive expansion of spinning capacities took place. The company celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1988, and the celebrations were inaugurated by Mr. G.K. Devarajulu, Founder Chairman of LMW.
Mr. P.R. Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha was gifted with a remarkable vision and foresight. He could spot the trends in business before it happened. With all such vision & foresight, during 1990, Rajapalayam Mills established 100% EOU units, with the advice of my father, the late Mr. D. Jayavarthanavelu, to select best machineries. Its been a long time association with the group where LMW had a great opportunity to supply 2.44 lakh spindles till date. I personally feel proud that LMW had the privilege to be a part of Ramco Group’s all celebrations and milestones.
A good heart stopped beating, a good soul ascended to heaven. We part with our beloved legend in pain. May God give him eternal rest and the family the strength to bear the great pain.
– Mr. Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu, Chairman and Managing Director, LMW
A keen observer with an eye on innovation: Rieter
Rieter’s association with the Ramco Group started during the stewardship of Mr. P.A.C. Ramasamy Rajha, the father of Chairman P.R. Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha in mid-1950s.
Mr. Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha who assumed charge in 1962 was a very good listener, keen observer and had an eye for innovation. As a testimony to this, Rajapalayam Mills bought the first Rieter rotor spinning machine M1/1 in early 1980s in India. He was always keen on Rieter’s innovation and would readily agree to support its trials which proved very beneficial in the introduction of Comber E 65 and Card C 60. His trust in Rieter, its products and services was exemplified in his entrusting it with an order for 84,000 K 44 compact spinning spindles with preparatory machines in 2006.
For Rieter, It was always a pleasure to meet Mr. Rajha and exchange views on the state of the textile industry and his vision about its future prospects. A highly knowledgeable personality who was very simple and humble. Mr. Rajha’s contribution to society as a philanthropist and educationist has been immense with very few equals. In his demise, we have lost a great human being who was easily accessible and had brought a sea-change in the lives of many employees and families of the Ramco Group.
– Mr. Prasanta-Kumar Deka, Head Market India, Rieter
An industrialist with a passion for new technologies
We, at A.T.E., are extremely saddened with the news of the sad demise of one of our industry doyens, Shri Ramsubrahmaneya Rajha. In fact, his departure has created a void in the textile fraternity which cannot be filled at all. He had been one of the most leading textile entrepreneurs of the earlier generation who worked very hard to establish the foundation of the textile business during very challenging times. He was father figure not only to the textile industry but to the entire Rajapalayam belt.
I had an opportunity to meet Mr. Rajha on a few occasions along with my foreign principals. What struck me most was his simplicity and modesty in spite of being at the helm of the big industry house. We, at A.T.E., found that Mr. Rajha always welcomed new technologies and innovations with open arms. His softer nature has always touched all of us. He not only succeeded in establishing Rajapalayam Mills as one of the top quality spinners in the world but also diversified the group successfully into IT, cement and other businesses, and also contributed greatly to the education sector. He will always remain one of the most respected entrepreneurs in India.
– Mr. G.V. Aras, Director, A.T.E. Enterprises
An outstanding leader with knowledge, wisdom and generosity
Mr. Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha is no more. The last time I had the privilege to meet him was in September last year. While he appeared physically a bit older, he was as alert as he had always been, his knowledge of the detail as sharp as ever.
I first met Mr. Rajha in 2002 or 2003. It was a memorable meeting, and I want to share it because it characterizes his knowledge, his wisdom and his generosity.
We had gone to Rajapalayam Mills in the hope of selling the first EliTe to RAMCO. We had a very long technical meeting with Mr. Rajha. He had many detailed technical questions, but he never asked about the price. After may be four hours, it was already dark outside, and we were saying good-bye. I must have looked somewhat disappointed, but all of a sudden the Chairman said: “You have come a long way, Mr. Stahlecker. You should not leave without an order. Please send an order confirmation for two machines.” Knowledge, wisdom, generosity – all in one short story.
As the population of EliTe grew, so did the technical meetings, more often than not with the Chairman attending. His style set the tone of these meetings. He was always very polite, but insisted that problems be solved – and he always acknowledged when a problem was solved.
On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of RAMCO, I was not only invited to attend but was invited to give a small speech. I told the story I shared with you above, and surely I could detect a broad smile on the Chairman’s face. I do not know whether he remembered, but surely he liked it.
At his granddaughter’s wedding many guests attended and all brought some small gift for the bride, including me. Four weeks later a ‘thank you’ note arrived on my desk, signed by the Chairman. This little story shows his superb organizational skills, his attention to detail, both indispensable for his success in life.
The Chairman is no longer with us, but he lives on in my fond memories, and surely in the memories of the many people who met him. He will serve as a guiding light for all of us.
May his eternal soul rest in peace.
– Mr. Peter Stahlecker, SUESSEN
An outstanding business partner: LCC
Lakshmi Card Clothing (LCC) has been associated with the Ramco Group since 1980. As a business partner with the Ramco Group, LCC has provided card clothing, card service machines and technological solutions for over 36 years.
The experience with the Ramco Group has been extremely rewarding in view of the fact that any innovation or solution from LCC has been tried by the Ramco group, and therein providing LCC helpful suggestions and unbiased reports which have been invaluable in perfecting our innovations. In addition, LCC too has supplied technological solutions to the Ramco Group to meet their increasingly growing demand for quality yarn.
Sri. P.R. Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha, Chairman, who was instrumental for the growth of the Ramco Group, has always adapted to changing times and he used to attribute his success to an endeavour to make customers addicted to his products through sheer quality.
Sri. P.R. Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha believed in the philosophy that “a contended worker will give to the employer better work and therefore better profits.” The Rajapalayam Mills has not seen any labour unrest ever since inception.
He always played the role of Good Samaritan not only for his employees but also to all around him. In times of adversity, he lent a helping hand.
As a respected leader, philanthropist, educationist, he will always be a source of inspiration.
– Mr. S. Hari Shankar, Joint Managing Director, Lakshmi Card Clothing
A visionary business leader: Uster
Uster Technologies is saddened to hear of the death of Mr. Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha, Chairman of the Ramco Group, and of its textile industry subsidiaries, including Rajapalayam Mills.
Mr. Rajha was an important and widely-respected figure in the textile industry, both in India and worldwide. Under his stewardship, the yarn spinning company established by his father in 1938 grew and prospered, eventually expanding into the diversified $1 billion Ramco conglomerate.
Throughout his life, Mr. Rajha combined an unshakable faith in Indian manufacturing capabilities with a commitment to adopting the best technology available globally. His principled approach underpinned the creation of a strong and ethical business empire in Ramco, founded on enlightened HR policies. He led the campaign to identify and develop a global appetite for Indian cotton and Indian yarn, setting up export-oriented manufacturing operations which brought great credit to both the spinning sector and textiles in India as a whole.
USTER enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with Mr. Rajha. His contribution to progress in the textile industry extended beyond company and national boundaries, and he was rightly regarded as a visionary figure, providing inspiration and leadership for those with whom he came into contact. USTER personnel, locally and at headquarters in Switzerland, valued Mr. Rajha’s honesty and dedication, as well as his personal qualities in all our business dealings.
India will greatly miss his far-sighted approach as both an industrialist and philanthropist and the Ramco Group the guiding spirit.
– Dr. Rathnam, President, Uster India
An enlightened leader : Savio
Every body at Savio was shocked to learn the sudden demise of Mr. P.R. Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha, one of the most respected and visionary leaders in the Indian textile industry.
He was highly respected throughout the textile fraternity, and his noble deeds have changed the lives of many. The Ramco Group, under his guidance, has always ventured upon new concepts and technologies and pioneered to invest in new products and projects.
Savio has long association with the Ramco Group since the 1990s when the first Espero winding machines were set up in South India. Through technical reform and product upgrade, the company has changed from Savio Espero to Savio Orion and Savio Polar and has recently added Savio EcoPulsarS winding machine, all installed in the several mills of the group – Rajapalayam Mills, Sudarsanam Spinning Mills, Sri Vishnu Shankar and Thanjavur Spinning.
All those associated with the Savio Group, have expressed their deepest condolence to the esteemed Rajha family.
– Mr. Mauro Moro, Commercial Director, Savio Macchine Tessili S.p.A.
Voltas’ tributes to the great visionary
“Voltas Ltd. and our Principals LMW, LRT, LCC enjoy a close relationship with the Ramco Group for more than five decades. The relationship grew from strength to strength, thanks to the unstinting support and guidance of Shri P.R. Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha.
The proud moment of receiving an award as a preferred partner from Shri P.R. Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha during the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Ramco Group is a memory which we, at Voltas Ltd., would cherish forever.
The warmth which he used to show us and the passion with which he used to engage us in discussions whenever we visited him would be in our memories forever.
The country, particularly Tamil Nadu, and the community of the textile industry have lost a great visionary, a guide, a man of principles & values and an outstanding leader who has demonstrated to the globe the capabilities of India in the manufacturing space.
– Mr. C. Kamatchisundaram, Vice President (TMD), Voltas Ltd.
Ramco, a vital partner in progress for KTTM
Kirloskar Textile Machinery Pvt. Ltd.’s (KTTM) relationship with the Ramco Group dates back to 20 years with its first supply of ring spinning machine in 1997 to Rajapalayam Textile Mills, a 100 per cent EOU of the group. This business association has grown stronger over the years and Ramco became one of the important partners in progress for KTTM.
Leadership and consistent encouragement from the late P.R. Ramasubramaneya Rajha were the most inspiring aspects of this association. His sad demise on May 11, 2017, is a loss of a great visionary not only for the textile industry but for the entire corporate business world.
We express our deep condolence and pray for rest in peace for the departed soul.
– Mr. Toshihiku Shimizu, Managing Director, Kirloskar Textile Machinery Pvt. Ltd.
An inspiring leader in his inimical style
Holding the highest position in the organization, his inspiring leadership with simplicity and enviable reputation will help the team to fulfill his desire and dream come true. More than a decade back, we have asked for his time to discuss innovations and benefits of data monitoring in spinning. We gave a presentation on RingData. He was so impressed with the product, and within no time directed the unit heads to go with RingData monitoring for the spinning units. Why I recall particularly this.., he is a visionary who believes that Technology & Innovation will drive the future of the spinning industry to the next level.
Today the textile industry grieves over the loss of a Great Visionary. A successful relay runner of the family business, he has achieved unimaginable feats and his contribution to the industry with a high level of social responsibility is remarkable. May the Almighty give enough strength to all of us suffering his loss to bring alive the dreams of the Great Industrialist and Philanthropist.
– Mr. C.R. Srinivasan, Vice President, Premier Evolvics
His diligence took Ramco Group to the top
Shri Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha, who gave wings to the vision of his illustrious father by imparting unprecedented progress to the Ramco Group to all its stakeholders and to the society at large, passed away on May 11, 2017, at Rajapalayam in Tamil Nadu. His absolute commitment and exemplary leadership has today made the Ramco Group one of the most reputed business houses in India and a conglomerate recognised internationally for its quality products and services.
Shri Rajha’s influence goes beyond industrial progress and touches various facets of societal well-being. In encouraging upcoming entrepreneurs, in his endeavour to transform Rajapalayam, in his initiatives to make education accessible, in his efficient Social Welfare programs, his penchant for collective growth shines through.
Shri Rajha’s conviction for quality has lead the Ramco Group to success in varied segments spanning from cotton and synthetic yarn, cement, building products, software solutions, wind energy to biotechnology and more. He is a foremost exemplar of the Indian ethos where stake-holders’ well-being precedes every business decision.
A role model for many, Shri Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha has left an indelible mark on the Indian socio-economic plane. At Rimtex we have had the privilege and honour of learning from his qualities, and we shall continue to emulate his values of strong ethics and robust ideals. He has been an éminence grise for the Textile Industry, and his departure is an irreparable loss to the industry.
Shri Rajha shall continue to inspire many, towards leading a progressive life. We pay our homage to the departed soul and pray to the Almighty for his eternal peace.
– Mr. Kalpesh Parmar and Rimtex Family
A man of wisdom
“The Simta Group of companies has been associated with the Ramco Group for more than two decades. Shri. Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha is a very noble gentleman with a lot of wisdom and earned a great deal of respect from all around. We express our prayers, for his soul to rest in peace”.
– Mr. Senthil, Managing Director, Simta Group
A strong supporter of new entrepreneur
We really a lost good visionary in the textile world. He provoked always good thoughts in the mind of people. For MAG, he initially supported a lot for promoting our products in their region. He used to entertain new entrepreneurs to come up highly in the market. He respected the people who come out with quality products at an affordable cost. He is a man of simplicity. MAG remembers his contribution to the industry at this juncture.
– Mr. C. Dhandayuthapani, MAG Solvics