Steered into the hot seat

There had never been any doubt that Harish would enter the family business, so his overseas study plans were tailored to this end. (Brother Vinay, currently settled in the US, was given the option of coming back if he chose to.)

Ten years ago, their father N. Lakshman, a second generation family member, had drawn up a succession plan in which Lakshman's younger brother Ganesh was to get his place in the sun as Chairman, to be followed by Harish. Ganesh had already put in several years at Rane at that time, and has subsequently been Chairman for the past three years.

Harish Lakshman, 36, Masters degree in Management from Purdue University, US Work experience: Management trainee in TRW Automotive Inc., a Rane joint venture partner, for two years. In family business: Since 1998, various positions at Rane TRW Steering. Now: Managing Director, Rane TRW Steering Systems. Lesson from parents: The importance of planning. Fast forward 2020: Spearhead a decade of growth for Rane. Best friend/guide in India Inc.: M.M. Murugappan, Vice Chairman of the Murugappa Group.

Harish says that he has inherited values like hard work and honesty from his father. To his credit, he has grown Rane TRW Steering's turnover from Rs 85 crore (when he joined) to Rs 350 crore. He was also at the forefront of Rane's transformation through a total quality management drive. Four of the seven companies won the Deming award.

Recognising that the group had done enough of inward looking, Harish acquired an aluminium die cast foundry for Rs 7 crore in 2005. Swift decision-making is his strength, and impatience, he says, is his weakness; but this could actually translate into a positive outcome of growth for the group.