Narayanaswami Venkataramani, chairman and managing director, India Pistons and its Group companies, and vice-chairman of the Rs 16,100 crore Amalgamations Group, passed away in Chennai, on Saturday. He was 80 years old.

The IPL Group companies, also known as Amalgamations Components Group, include India Pistons Rings, Bimetal Bearings and Amalgamations Valeo. One of the pioneers in the Indian auto components industry, and a key pillar of the Amagamations Group, Venkataramani started his career by joining the Group in 1967. Also known as a “great humble leader”, Venkataramani had also been president of the MCCI (Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry), and Employers Federation of India.

Remembering the industry stalwart, a senior executive at the Amalgamations Group says, “Personally, he was a one in a million, who had no boundary in behaving with young engineers. When I introduced a couple of young engineers once, he spent quality time with them, energised them to join the group and contribute. Also, his humility touched those youngsters, and they listened to him proudly.”

Venkataramani was also the son-in-law of Amalgamation Group’s founder, S Anantharamakrishnan. 

Autocar Professional pays tribute to the industry stalwart, and deepest condolences to the bereaved family. Incidentally, the usually media-shy Venkataramani’s last interview was published in Autocar Professional’s 2019 edition of its annual South India Industry Special issue (depicted below).