H Lakshmanan, Sundaram-Clayton’s former executive director, passes away

H Lakshmanan, the former executive director of Sundaram-Clayton and director of TVS Motor Company, passed away on Friday. He died at the age of 92 due to age-related ailments.

Lakshmanan played a crucial in shaping the TVS Group companies. He is credited for his contribution of establishing Sundaram Clayton and orchestrating the turnaround of TVS Credit into a thriving NBFC that serves millions of customers.

“He was the person I would turn to the most when I took over at Sundaram Clayton, and it was remarkable how he mentored me with the same enthusiasm and patience as he did my father,” Sundaram-Clayton Managing Director Lakshmi Venu said in an official statement. 

Lakshmanan also worked closely with TS Srinivasan and subsequently with Venu Srinivasan at TVS Motor in driving the company into a leading automaker. He served on TVS Motor’s board since 2000 as one of the most trusted mentors for the automaker and retired in 2022.

"Through him, I learnt the wisdom that had been passed down by my father. HL (Lakshmanan) had an ability to think clearly, counsel sagely and work tirelessly, and he was my rock of Gibraltar," said TVS Motor Chairman Emeritus Venu Srinivasan. 

"He would never settle for less and in a great measure what TVS is today, is thanks to his dedication and sense of duty."

Lakshmanan also reportedly played a major role in the creation of joint ventures with global majors like Dunlop for wheels, Clayton for air brakes, Girling for Brakes India, and Lucas for Lucas-TVS. He is survived by his wife, a son, and two daughters.