Veteran industrialist and Williamson Magor Group
patriarch Brij
Mohan Khaitandied on 1
June 2019 at his residence in Kolkata. He was 92. Khaitan is
survived by his younger son Aditya and daughter Divya Jalan. Also known as
the “evergreen tea
man of India” globally, he had made the tea industry “Indian-owned” in
the twilight era of independence.
Mr.Khaitan’s
career:
Khaitan had recently resigned as nonexecutive
chairman from the boards of Eveready
Industries and McLeod Russel. He continued to serve as
chairman emeritus in both these firms. Considered a visionary, he has left an
indelible mark on the world of entrepreneurship, education, business ethics,
and service to mankind.
Khaitan developed the Williamson Magor Group as
the largest tea producer in the world. After making his fortune in the tea
business, he acquired the Indian business of Union Carbide, Eveready
Industries, in 1993, pipping the Wadias of Bombay Dyeing in a $96.5 million deal.
It was the largest corporate takeover then. His demise marks the end of an era
and loss of a leader and guide for the Indian tea industry.
