Anantharamakrishnan. And ever since India attained Independence in 1947, it has proactively led an indigenisation drive. The Group's saga began, when Amalgamations Private Limited (established in 1938) took over the 100-year-old Simpsons in 1941. Early in its history, the Group promoted Speed-A-Way (1938). During 1938-50, SRVS, Addison & Co., Higginbothams and Associated Printers, companies with t
heir moorings in the 19th century, were brought into its fold. Between 1948 and the early 60s, the Group acquired George Oakes, T. Stanes & Co. and its subsidiaries, and two plantation companies in the Nilgiris -The United Nilgiri Tea Estates, and Stanes Amalgamated Estates. Southern Tree Farms, a third plantation unit, was acquired later through TAFE, in 1993. The Group widened its manufacturing base by pioneering the indigenous manufacture of a range of auto components and engineering products by establishing India Pistons (1949), AMCO Batteries (1955), Shardlow India (1960), Bimetal Bearings (1961), L.M. Van Moppes (1962), Amalgamations Repco (1967), IP Pins & Liners (1985), IP Rings (1991), TAFE Access (1992), and TAFE Power Source division (1993). The Group pioneered farm mechanisation in India by venturing into the manufacture of tractors in 1960, and Tractors and Farm Equipment (TAFE) was born. The Group has established joint ventures with foreign collaborations or technical support - among them, Amalgamations Valeo Clutch (1997, with Valeo of France), Stanadyne Amalgamations (2001, with Stanadyne Corporation, U.S.A.), BBL Daido (2001, with Daido Metal Corporation, Japan), AMCO Saft (2001, with Saft of France). To strengthen the horizontal and vertical integration of the group in the tractor and engineering industries, TAFE took over the manufacturing plants of Eicher tractors, diesel engines and gears - and TAFE Motors and Tractors Limited (2005) was formed. The Amalgamations Group continues to substantially contribute to India's industrial progress. Over the years, it has developed a strong engineering ethos - by successfully initiating and integrating strong quality and cost-driven manufacturing systems through assimilation of new technologies from around the world. Which is why, much like the banyan tree, the Group today is widespread with 46 companies, 50 manufacturing plants and over 12,000 employees living comfortably in its shade.
