Carborundum Universal (CUMI) celebrates its golden jubilee

August 7, 2004: Focused. increased global presence. Leadership in the Indian market and Investing in Future Technologies.

Carborundum Universal Ltd (CUMI), one of the first manufacturing companies of the Rs. 5266 crore ($ 1.2 billion) Murugappa Group, today announced the commencement of its golden jubilee celebrations. Owing to its pioneering innovations in material sciences, consistent returns to stakeholders through a profitable growth pattern and strategic global partnerships, CUMI has emerged as a leading Indian company, making inroads in the global abrasives, industrial ceramics and bonded refractories market.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. M M Murugappan, Chairman, CUMI said “These fifty years have been remarkable for CUMI and we would like take this opportunity to thank our stakeholders for their continued support of our leadership position in India and forays into international markets. Looking ahead, our vision is to place CUMI on the global map in the area of material science and its applications.”

CUMI expects to attain this growth through TQM (Total Quality Management) led operational excellence. Other areas of best practices is its commitment towards business excellence, commitment to environment and total employee involvement.

Touching on CUMI’s future plans, Mr. Ramesh Agarwal, Managing Director, CUMI said , “Some of the immediate focus areas would be leveraging global opportunities that emerge from China and Europe and an investment to the tune of Rs. 25-30 crore in future technologies. Further, the company plans to double its exports over the next three years and.

The celebrations to commemorate CUMI’s fiftieth anniversary will focus around the theme of ‘thanksgiving and rededication’. The celebration starts off with a program at Madras University Centenary Hall on September 16th 2004. The Chief Guest for the occasion will be Dr. JJ Irani, Director of TATA Sons. The Golden Jubilee celebrations will involve all its stakeholders across all other locations in the country over the next 3 months.

About CUMI

CUMI has pioneered the manufacture of Coated and Bonded Abrasives in India and has made forays into other material science areas such as Ceramics (Industrial Ceramics, Ceramic Fibres and Bonded Refractories) and Electrominerals. CUMI is the largest company in the Abrasives business in India. The organisation was founded in 1954 as a joint venture with The Carborundum Company, USA and Universal Grinding Wheel Co. Ltd. UK. To be increasingly recognized as a technology and innovation-driven organisation in India and internationally, CUMI has placed greater emphasis on in-house research and development, product design and application engineering.

Carborundum Universal Ltd. is part of the over US $ 1.2 billion Murugappa Group. A pioneer and market leader in several fields of business with manufacturing operations across 12 states in the country, the Group has a strong presence in Abrasives, Engineering, Bio-products, Sanitaryware, Sugar, Fertilizers, Pesticides, Finance, General Insurance, Plantations and Nutraceuticals.

For further details please contact:
Mr. K V Ramesh
CUMI
E-mail: RameshKV@cumi.murugappa.com

Anu Lakshman
IPAN
Tel: 044 28217294