Murugappa family’s senior most member passes away

CHENNAI: M V Murugappan, the senior most member of the Murugappa family, who controlled the Rs 29,500 crore Murugappa group, passed away on Tuesday after a brief illness. He was 81 and is survived by his wife, two daughters, and grandchildren.

Murugappan obtained a BSc (Hons.) in civil engineering from Birmingham University, England, and spent his initial years in the construction business. He was the managing director of Coromandel Engineering Company Ltd, according to a statement released by the group.

Murugappan took over as managing director of Carborundum Universal Ltd (CUMI)in 1979. Under his watch, CUMI grew into India’s largest manufacturer of abrasives, expanded in industrial ceramics and made further investments. Muruguppan went on to become chairman of the firm in 1995, a post he held until his retirement in 2004. Murugappan was also involved in sports, having been president of the Madras Cricket Club in 1978-79.