Suresh Krishna (Industrialist)

Suresh Krishna received his Bachelor of Science degree from Madras Christian College in the year 1955. He received his M.A. in Literature from the University of Wisconsin in 1959 and did his post-graduate work in Literature in the University of Munich, Germany.

Suresh Krishna started his career with TVS and Sons, Madurai. In 1962, he was given the responsibility of starting Sundram Fasteners to manufacture high tensile bolts and nuts. Under his leadership, the company, which started its operations as a small industrial unit in Ambattur Industrial Estate, soon moved to its present location in Padi, Chennai. It then gradually expanded its operations to Hosur and Madurai in Tamil Nadu.[3]

Post liberalization in 1991, Suresh Krishna has transformed the company into a multi-location, multi-product technology leader, propelling fast growth through acquisitions in India and abroad and setting up the first ever manufacturing plant in China by an Indian engineering company. Currently SFL has 27 factories including one each in China and the United Kingdom. SFL manufactures a variety of automotive products such as high tensile fasteners, cold extruded parts, sintered metal parts, power train components, radiator caps, wind energy components, hot forged parts, foundry parts, water pumps and oil pumps.[4]

A firm believer in communication, Suresh Krishna ensures that the employees are kept informed, at least three times in a year, every year, of the business environment and the company's performance vis-a-vis its goals. This has enabled him to win the trust of his work force, making SFL a unique organization. Ever since its inception 52 years ago, SFL has not lost a single working hour due to labour unrest.

Under his leadership, SFL became the first Indian Engineering company to acquire ISO 9000 certification.[5] It is also the first engineering company in India to achieve Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) Excellence Award.[6]

Suresh Krishna sharing his thoughts with employees.

Suresh Krishna took active interest in representing the voice of the industry. He served as the President of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India during 1982-84[7] and as the President of the Confederation of Indian Industry for the year 1987–88.[8]

Suresh Krishna's counsel was sought after by many organizations by way of appointing him as a Director on their Governing Boards. Besides being a Director on the Board of several TVS Group companies, he has also been a Director on the Boards of the Industrial Credit & Investment Corporation of India, Tata Steel,[9] Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd, Institute for Financial Management & Research, etc.

Both the Central and State Governments have recognized him by having him as a member of several public bodies and committees from time to time. He was appointed as a Director on the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India.[10] He was one of the members of the Advisory Council to the Prime Minister formed to advise the Prime Minister on matters relating to trade and industry.

The Government, Business and Industry bodies have recognized Suresh Krishna's contributions.

Year	State Government Recognition
1992-93	Appointed as Sheriff of Madras[11]
	National Honour
2006	The Government of India conferred the "Padma Shri" Award on Suresh Krishna for his contribution to Industry[12] Suresh Krishna receiving Padma Shri from President APJ Abdul Kalam at Rashtrapathi Bhavan on 29.3.2006
	Industry Honours
1991	Suresh Krishna was awarded the "Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal for Industrial Peace" by XLRI.
1995	The Business India Magazine selected him as the "Businessman of the Year"
1997	He was awarded the "Qimpro Platinum Standard"[13] for being a role model for Quality Leadership for Corporate India
1998	Suresh Krishna was awarded the "Juran Quality Medal"[14] by the Indian Merchants Chamber, Mumbai
2000	The Asian Productivity Organization, Japan conferred the Nation Award (for India) on Suresh Krishna for his outstanding contribution towards productivity improvement in the country during the last five years.[15]
2000	The All India Management Association gave the prestigious "JRD Tata Corporate Leadership Award"[16] to Suresh Krishna
2001	Krishna was the recipient of the "Entrepreneur of the Year" Award from Ernst & Young[17]
2017	Life Time Achievement Award by the Nanayam Vikatan for his contribution to Industry[18]
2019	Life Time Achievement Award - The Economic Times Awards - Tamil Nadu by Times Group
2019	Suresh Krishna receiving India's First Quality Ratna Award India's First "Quality Ratna" Award conferred by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)[19]

Suresh Krishna is interested in Photography, Reading and Indian and Western Classical Music.