Inspiration Personified

L Krishnan, Managing Director, TaeguTec India, has been honored with the highly coveted IMTMA – BFW Lifetime Contribution Award in memory of Shri H R Gupta. It’s about time we knew the person behind the company that’s known by one and all in the industry as a specialist in manufacturing cutting tools for the metalworking industry.

In recognition of sustained business leadership and significant contribution to IMTMA and the Indian machine tool industry, IMTMA has conferred upon L Krishnan, Managing Director, TaeguTec India with the IMTMA – BFW Lifetime Contribution Award in memory of Shri H R Gupta.

Fondly called LK, L Krishnan is a self-made man. Born in a humble family in Madurai that held education and knowledge in high esteem and instilled the right qualities in their children, Krishnan graduated as Mechanical Engineer from Madurai Kamaraj University in 1981.

A visionary from early on, he figured out that the best way to succeed was to align work with passion. He started his career as a graduate engineer in Ashok Leyland and forayed into machine tools a year later when he moved to Widia India Ltd, a cutting tool company where he served for more than 15 years in various capacities. His next move was to Elgi Equipment, where, with his path-breaking steps, he significantly contributed to the company’s success in a record time.

Krishnan was unstoppable once he was chosen to take over the reins of TaeguTec, a Korean multinational company, in India in the year 2000. His vision to provide innovative and competitive machining solutions to Indian machine tool builders enabled TaeguTec to soon become one of the top cutting tool brands in the country. He set up a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, fully integrated with high levels of automation along with research and development.

He played a significant role in the development of machine tool and manufacturing industries in the country. As Chairman of CII Karnataka State Council (2012-2013), Krishnan worked closely with the Government of Karnataka and formulated the state’s first aerospace industry policy, promoting a global investor meet to attract investments to Karnataka.

He served IMTMA as its president with great distinction during 2013-2015. Ever ready to promote the cause of the machine tool industry, Krishnan has made significant contributions to IMTMA’s relationship with its members along with guiding the Association on various government policies and BIEC initiatives, among others, which he continues even today. As the Committee Chairman, he piloted with his characteristic enthusiasm the CSR activities at IMTMA, benefiting the BIEC neighboring areas immensely.

Krishnan’s family has always focused on people’s development. His wife Girija Krishnan is associated with an NGO which is into skill-building and employability. Krishnan’s advocacy for sustainability, resource conservation, and green advocacy makes him stand apart from others. He is an avid reader of Indian history, economics, management, and Vedic philosophies and brings the wisdom gained to his professional career.

Image source: Magic Wand Media