BPL founder T P Gopalan Nambiar passes away

Nambiar, a pioneer in the consumer electronics sector in 80s and 90s, founded BPL in 1963, during the ‘Licence Raj’. The company initially manufactured hermetically sealed precision panel meters for the Indian defence forces. His vision led to the establishment of BPL’s first manufacturing facility in Palakkad, Kerala, but later shifted its base to Bengaluru.

Led by Nambiar, BPL expanded its product line to include colour televisions, fridges, washing machines, video cassettes and other electronic devices, becoming a giant in India’s electronic sector by the 1990s.

However, the company faced increased competition from South Korean companies LG and Samsung following economic liberalisation in India in 1991. Internal disputes within the controlling family further contributed to the company’s decline.

Despite challenges, Nambiar’s legacy remains unchanged. He built one of India’s most trusted consumer brands, which remains popular even today. His son, Ajit Nambiar is currently serves as Chairman and CEO of BPL, which is listed on the stock exchanges.

In the wake of economic liberalisation in India in 1991, BPL faced increased competition from South Korean companies like LG and Samsung. Adding to the BPL’s woes, internal disputes within the controlling family took away attention from external threats, and the company’s fortunes declined.

By 2004, BPL and its partner Sanyo were facing serious financial problems due to intense competition in the global electronics market. In 2005, the companies announced a 50:50 joint-venture, and BPL transferred its colour television business, then worth $ 80 million, to the new venture.

The partners, who had shared a long-standing relationship since 1982, had been off the market for about two years, going through some tough times. In the year 2006, they decided to get back in action together to regain lost market share.

Nambiar took son-in-law Rajeev Chandrasekhar to the Company Law Board (CLB) in Chennai to assert the ownership of BPL Telecom. The CLB dismissed the appeal and Nambiar and Chandrasekhar later reached an out-of-court settlement.

Chandrashekhar said on X: “It is with great sadness that I inform you all about the passing away of my father-in-law TPG Nambiar, Chairman BPL Group. He was a true visionary and built one of India’s most trusted consumer brands that remains popular to this day. I am pausing my election campaign work and returning to Bengaluru to be with my family.”

“Sad to learn of the passing of TPG Nambiar, visionary Kerala industrialist who ushered in a new chapter in electronics manufacturing here by setting up a state-of-the-art facility at Palakkad after acquiring British Physical Laboratories in 1961, renamed BPL Limited. A true pioneer who remains an inspiration,” said Shashi Tharoor, MP.