From Toy Maker to Tyre Giant: Time Travel Through the MRF Story

Produced by: Tanya Aneja
Designed by: Mohsin Shaikh

Photo: atmaindia.org

K. M. Mammen Mappillai started MRF’s journey as a toy balloon manufacturing unit in a shed in Tiruvottiyur in Madras in 1946

MRF: Beginnings

MRF’s entered into the manufactuing of tread rubber in 1952. By 1956, within 4 years, MRF became the market leader of tread rubber in India with a 50% share

MRF: On road

In 1961, MRF became a public company, established a technical collaboration with the Mansfield Tire & Rubber Company based in USA

MRF: Public company

In 1967, MRF became the first Indian company to export tyres to the very birthplace of tyre technology, the United States

US debut

In 1980, the name of the Company, Madras Rubber Factory Ltd was changed to MRF Ltd

Madras Rubber Factory
to MRF

MRF built is first Formula 3 car in 1997. It is the only tyre company in India to have developed formula car tyres, rally tyres for tarmac and dirt, motocross tyres and FIA-CIK karting tyres. It also established the Formula Maruti racing which is a single-seater, open wheel class motorsport racing event for race cars in collaboration with Maruti

MRF: Formula Racing

India’s leading toy manufacturing company, Funskool, was formed as a joint venture between the MRF Group, and Hasbro Inc. It began commercial operations in 1988

About Funskool

Shares of MRF hit Rs 10,000 level in 2012. The multibagger stock made a history on Dalal Street as it crossed the psychological six-digit mark of Rs 1,00,000 for the very first time

Multibagger return

Shares of MRF have recovered around 52% from its 52-week low of Rs 65,900.05. The stock ended 0.19% lower at Rs 99,800.00 on NSE on June 14. Market cap of the firm rose to Rs 42,327 crore

MRF: Up 52% from
52-week low