 "Timeline: A look at RP Goenka's life")
Having led an illustrious life and earning the title "takeover tycoon" for his aggressive business strategy marked by many acquisitions, R P Goenka was among the most well-known business magnates who brought together a diverse group of companies into his empire.
Here is a look at the important events in his life that led him to earning this name and stature for himself.
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March 1, 1930: Rama Prasad Goenka was born to Rukmini Devi and Keshav Prasad Goenka.
1979: Keshav Prasad Goenka divides family business among three sons. Elder son RP Goenka gets Philips Carbon Black, Asian Cables, Agarpara Jute, Murphy India, having combined sales turnover of Rs 75 crore. Establishes RPG Enterprises.
1981: Acquires Ceat Tyres of India (later renamed as Ceat Ltd), a subsidiary of Italy's Ceat
1982: Buys power engineering firm KEC International
1983: Acquires Searle India, now RPG Life Sciences
1984: Acquires tyre-maker Dunlop in partnership with Manu Chhabria
1985: Buys a minority stake in Bayer, later sold off.
1985: Becomes a co-promoter in Haldia Petrochemicals.
1985: Takes over Gramophone Company of India Ltd, now Saregama India.
1987-88: Exits Dunlop India
1988: Acquires Fujitsu ICIM, now Zensar Technologies
1989: Acquires power company CESC, two plantations-- Harrisons Malayalam, Spencer & co. 1992: RPG Enterprise joins the $ 1 billion club
2010: Divides all major companies of Rs 19,000 crore RPG Enterprises, between his two sons Harsh and Sanjiv. Slips into the role of Chairman Emeritus of the group.
Source: Business Maharajas, company websites
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The RPG Empire: What RP Goenka and his sons put together