Murugappa group chief dead

CHENNAI, JAN 1: The chairman of Murugappa group of companies, A M M Arunachalam, died at his residence in the city early this morning. He was 80. Among the corporate majors which he headed were Emeritus of Tube Investments of India, Carborundum Universal and Parry Agro Industries.

Born on March 1, 1918 in Pallatur as the third son of Dewan Bahadur A M Murugappa Chettiar and A M M Valliammai Achi, a traditional banking family, Arunachalam after completing schooling started training in the Indo Union Insurance Company.

At a young age, he moved to Burma and joined the banking business. He became an expert in rubber plantation in partnership with the prominent directors of his father8217;s firm. During the 1930s AMM ventured into the manufacturing arena by establishing the Ajax Products Limited.