Asia's 9 Most Powerful Indian Businesswomen

Mallika Srinivasan

Mallika Srinivasan is the CEO of Tractors and Farm Equipment (TAFE). The moment one hears of tractors and farming, the image of a typical farmer flashes by. So, it is only natural for people to think that a man would head such a firm. Still, Srinivasan handles her tasks deftly. A successful businesswoman and entrepreneur, Srinivasan has all the right qualities. Economic Times called her Businesswoman of the Year in 2006. She is also ranked among the top woman CEOs of the nation. Though she has inherited the family business, it was her choice to join the team. Her father was her supporter and mentor and has been since. She helped the company go from a turnover of 85 crore to 1,200 crore. In the period of testing times, her decision to invest 70 crore in product designing and development helped the company sail through. It is commonly agreed upon that Srinivasan’s determination and courage has helped TAFE rise like a phoenix. Apart from catering to a niche market, TAFE has diversified into - farm implements, hydraulic pumps, automotive batteries gears, panel instruments and engineering plastics.