Early Life
Venu Srinivasan was born on December 11, 1952, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He is the grandson of T. V. Sundaram Iyengar, the founder of the TVS Group. He completed his schooling at Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Chennai. Srinivasan holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the College of Engineering, Guindy, Chennai, and a Master of Science degree in management from Purdue University in the United States. He also has honorary Doctor of Management degrees from Purdue University and Doctor of Science degrees from the University of Warwick and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur.
Rise to Success
Venu Srinivasan took over as the CEO of Sundaram-Clayton, the holding company of TVS Motor, in 1979. Under his leadership, TVS Motor Company became the third-largest two-wheeler manufacturer in India. He spearheaded the turnaround of the company in the late 1980s, implementing Japanese Total Quality Management (TQM) practices, and earning the Deming Prize for quality excellence. He is known for his dedication to quality and innovation, which led to the company's success in the competitive automotive market. He also brought in Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya of the University of Warwick as a consultant to provide guidance.
Key Business Strategies
Srinivasan focused on adopting the right work ethics and successful work culture to ensure the company's growth. He invested in new technologies and upgraded plant machinery. He emphasized customer satisfaction, technological innovation, and sustainable practices. He also formed a strategic partnership with BMW Motorrad.
Philanthropy
Venu Srinivasan established and oversees the Srinivasan Services Trust (SST), a social outreach trust that works in over 2,500 villages in India, focusing on rural empowerment.
