Chennai | Dr. Lakshmi Venu, Director of TAFE – Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited, a leading tractor major and one of the largest tractor manufacturers in the world, has been appointed as Vice Chairman of TAFE. Dr. Lakshmi is a dynamic leader, reputed for her achievements in the farm mechanization and auto component business.
Dr. Lakshmi’s strategic thinking, customer-centric approach, strong quality orientation and deep involvement in TAFE’s Massey Ferguson and Eicher Tractors business is reflective of her leadership and her deep commitment to people, innovation and excellence. In recognition, TAFE appoints Dr. Lakshmi Venu, as the Vice Chairman of the TAFE Board.
Mallika Srinivasan, Chairman & MD, TAFE, said, “Dr.Lakshmi has been a key member of our leadership team and a member of TAFE’s Board. In appreciation of her impactful contribution, the Board is pleased to appoint her as Vice Chairman. With her leadership style that is focused on building for the future, we look forward to her leveraging TAFE’s collaborative, value-based approach towards its vision of ‘Cultivating the World’. On behalf of the Board and Management, we extend our warmest good wishes to her.”
Commenting on Dr. Lakshmi’s appointment, P B Sampath, Director – TAFE, said, “Dr. Lakshmi with her strong academic strength and fund of experience in the tractor and auto component industry, is an excellent blend of good business acumen, experience and values. She carries the rich legacy of inherited values from the Founder’s family and is sure to bring in an enriching dynamism into TAFE’s march into the future.”
Sandeep Sinha, CEO – TAFE, added, “Dr. Lakshmi’s unique expertise in balancing operational efficiency and market engagement combined with her robust product knowledge, deep understanding of the Indian and global markets and keen interest in new technologies, positions her exceptionally well for leading TAFE.”
Responding on her appointment as Vice-Chairman – TAFE, Dr. Lakshmi said, “ I thank the Board for placing their trust in me. I look forward to working closely with the Board and the teams at Tafe and Eicher Tractors to strengthen our organization and drive continued success to achieve our strategic goals.”
Dr. Lakshmi’s contributions have earned her several accolades, including being recognized as one of Business Today’s “Most Powerful Women in Business” in 2023. She is also the recipient of the Economic Times “Young Leaders – 40 under 40” recognition. Dr. Lakshmi is also the Managing Director at Sundaram-Clayton Ltd., a leading automotive component manufacturer. She is a graduate from Yale University and a Doctorate in Engineering Management from the University of Warwick, UK.
TAFE – Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited, an Indian tractor major incorporated in 1960 in Chennai, India. As one of the largest tractor manufacturers in the world and the second-largest in India by volume, TAFE sells over 180,000 tractors annually. TAFE has earned the trust of customers through its range of products, which are widely acclaimed for their quality and low cost of operation. A strong distribution network of over 1,600 dealers effectively supports TAFE’s four iconic tractor brands – Massey Ferguson, TAFE, Eicher Tractors, and IMT. TAFE exports tractors to more than 80 countries, powering farms in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Russia.
In 2005, TAFE acquired the Tractors, Engines and Transmissions business of the legendary Eicher brand with German roots, through a wholly owned subsidiary – TAFE Motors and Tractors Limited (TMTL). Beyond tractors, TAFE and its subsidiaries have diversified business interests in areas such as farm machinery, diesel engines and gensets, agro-industrial engines, engineering plastics, gears and transmission components, hydraulic pumps and cylinders, vehicle franchises, and plantations.
TAFE acquired the iconic Serbian tractor and agricultural equipment brand IMT – Industrija Mašina i Traktora in 2018. Furthermore, TAFE acquired FAURECIA’s Indian interior business of Group FORVIA – the French global automotive supplier, in 2022.
TAFE is committed to Total Quality Management (TQM). In recent years, various manufacturing plants of TAFE have garnered numerous ‘TPM Excellence’ awards from the Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance (JIPM), along with several regional awards for TPM excellence. In 2023, TAFE won the ‘Launch of the Year’ award for its Eicher PRIMA G3 range of tractors, in addition to three other prestigious awards, including ‘Best CSR Initiative’ for JFarm Services, at the 4th edition of the Indian Tractor of the Year (ITOTY) Awards 2023, and the Top Exporter Award from the Commissioner of Customs.
In 2018, TAFE became the first Indian tractor manufacturer to win the Frost & Sullivan Global Manufacturing Leadership Award, being recognized with the ‘Enterprise Integration and Technology Leadership’ award, as well as two ‘Supply Chain Leadership’ awards. In recognition of its outstanding contribution to engineering exports, TAFE has been named the ‘Star Performer – Large Enterprise (Agricultural Tractors)’ by the Engineering Exports Promotion Council of India – Southern Region for the 23rd consecutive time.
TAFE has earned the trust of customers through its range of products that are widely acclaimed for superior quality and low cost of operation. TAFE’s social focus has been significant since inception and it contributes towards meaningful causes of agriculture, education, healthcare, community development, disaster relief, conservation and tribal welfare besides supporting traditional art forms.
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