Arunachalam Vellayan, the esteemed former chairman of the Murugappa Group and Chairman Emeritus of Coromandel International, passed away in Chennai on Monday, November 17, at the age of 72, following a prolonged illness. Known by his friends and peers as a man of exceptional business acumen and a remarkable ability to foresee future trends, Vellayan’s stellar career was marked by numerous achievements that underscored his visionary leadership.

A prime example of his foresight emerged in 2008 during his tenure as chairman of Coromandel International, one of India’s largest fertilizer companies. Vellayan made the bold strategic decision to venture into retail, launching company-owned stores under the brand name ‘My Growmor’. This move was initially met with skepticism, as no competitor had dared to build a direct retail presence in the agricultural sector. However, Vellayan was steadfast in his belief that direct engagement with farmers was essential for fostering long-term trust and for understanding their needs, ultimately enabling the design of more relevant and effective products.

Today, this pioneering retail network stands as a profound testament to his vision. Coromandel International recently celebrated the opening of its 1,000th Growmor shop, which collectively serves over 3 million farmers, many of whom remain deeply loyal to the company’s products. This extensive retail footprint has also enabled Coromandel to introduce innovative services, including drone spraying of fertilizers and pesticides, comprehensive soil testing, and expert advisory services. Retail has since become a central pillar of Coromandel’s business strategy and a major differentiator within the industry.

Vellayan’s leadership extended far beyond Coromandel International. As chairman, he drove the expansion of the Murugappa Group through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Under his guidance, the group’s revenues rose significantly from ₹15,907 crore in FY09 to ₹30,023 crore in FY17. This remarkable performance was strongly reflected in the markets, with the conglomerate’s market capitalization soaring from ₹11,600 crore to over ₹70,000 crore by the end of January 2018. A Murugappa Group press release lauded him as a distinguished leader and valued family member who dedicated decades to providing strategic direction across multiple businesses, emphasizing his vision, integrity, and long-term approach to value creation.

Tributes poured in across the industry, acknowledging the loss of an exemplary business leader. R. Seshasayee, chairman of Asian Paints, described him as “an outstanding leader who had a firm grip on both macro and micro aspects of the business. He understood the ground reality well and took bold moves.”
Venu Srinivasan, chairman emeritus of TVS Motor Company and vice-chairman of Tata Trusts, referred to Vellayan as “a towering visionary whose humility, clarity of purpose, and disciplined approach to enterprise left an indelible mark on Indian industry.”