Oct 10, 2024
Ratan Tata: A Look Back At His Key Business Decisions
Ratan Tata, one of India's tallest business magnates, died on Wednesday following a period of illness
The 86-year-old had led the Tata Group for around 21 consecutive years between 1991 and 2012
The period when Ratan Tata was at the helm is considered to be the phase when the salt-to-software conglomerate turned into a global business giant from an India-centric entity
Here's a look back at some of the top business decisions taken by Ratan Tata as the chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the conglomerate
JLR Acquisition: Under the leadership of Ratan Tata, the group had taken the landmark decision to acquire Jaguar Land Rover, a luxury carmaker with a significant share in the UK automobile market
In fiscal 2024, JLR had clocked its highest-ever revenue of £29 billion, and net profit stood at £2.6 billion
Nano Launch: With the vision to make four-wheelers affordable for the masses, Ratan Tata spearheaded the project to launch Nano, the mini car was unveiled in 2008 at an introductory price of Rs 1 lakh
The maximum sales it achieved was in fiscal 2012 of 74,527 units, and thereafter it kept dwindling and in 2018, its production was halted
Entering Telecom: Tata Group had entered into the domestic telecom market when Ratan Tata was at the helm
The conglomerate's arm, Tata Teleservices, launched Tata Docomo in November 2008 in collaboration with Japanese telecom major NTT Docomo
However, recurring losses led to the exit of NTT Docomo from the venture in 2014 and in 2017, the operations were winded up and the business was acquired by Bharti Airtel
Defence Business: Decisions taken by Tata Sons during the tenure of Ratan Tata was the launch of Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. to explore the aerospace and defence solutions business
The launch, in 2007, made TASL an early entrant in the defence sector from the private sector
Although the company logged a revenue of Rs 342 crore in fiscal 2024 and it continues to hold ambitions of expanding its market share
Last month, it announced a partnership with American aerospace major Lockheed Martin to explore business opportunities in the Indian market
Air India Acquisition: In 2021, when Air India's ownership changed hands,Ratan Tata was not the chairman of Tata Sons, but he remained the chairman emeritus of the company
The loss-making carrier was acquired for Rs 18,000 crore
The acquisition marked a homecoming for Air India, which was a Tata Group-operated carrier before it was nationalized post India's Independence
"Tatas will have the opportunity of regaining the image and reputation it enjoyed in earlier years," Ratan Tata had then stated
"Tatas will have the opportunity of regaining the image and reputation it enjoyed in earlier years," Ratan Tata had then stated
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