Mohan Lal Lohia
Mohan Lal Lohia | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1930-12-21 Ratangarh, Rajasthan, India |
| Died | 2017-06-01 New Delhi, India |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, industrialist |
| Known for | Founder of Indorama Corporation and Lohia Foundation |
| Notable work | Indorama Corporation, Lohia Foundation |
Mohan Lal Lohia (21 December 1930 – 1 June 2017) was a prominent Indian entrepreneur and industrialist, recognized as the founder of both the Indorama Corporation and the Lohia Foundation.
His business heritage is carried forward by his billionaire sons, Sri Prakash Lohia and Aloke Lohia.
Early life and education
Lohia was born in Ratangarh, Rajasthan, India, and received his education in Jogbani, located near the India–Nepal border.
Career
In 1950, Lohia relocated to Burma (now Myanmar) where he served as a raw material purchasing manager within the embroidery and lace manufacturing sector, frequently traveling to Singapore and Japan for business. That same year, he initiated his own textile production enterprise. Foreseeing the 1963 governmental reforms in Burma that led to the expulsion of foreign manufacturers, he had proactively established an embroidery and lace factory in Bangkok along with a knitting, weaving, and pressing facility in Nepal.
Together with his son Sri Prakash Lohia, he founded the Indorama Corporation in 1973. The textile policy enacted by Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1985 prompted Lohia to recognize India as an advantageous market, prompting him to increase his business presence there.
At the age of 61 in 1991, he transitioned from active management to an advisory capacity, distributing company leadership among his three sons: the eldest son assumed the role of CEO at Indorama Synthetics in India; Sri Prakash oversaw Indorama Chemicals based in Thailand; and Ajay Prakash took control of the Woolworth business located in Kolkata. Despite this delegation, significant corporate decisions continued to require his consent.
Lohia also founded the Lohia Foundation. By November 2017, the Lohia family's fortune was valued at approximately US$8.7 billion. During his career as a business leader, he was also mentioned in relation to the Panama Papers.
Personal life
He was married to Kanchan Devi. Their sons, Sri Prakash Lohia and Aloke Lohia, are recognized billionaires.
Death
He died on 1 June 2017 in New Delhi.