CEO SPEAK

100 YEARS OF TATA STEEL

Russi Mody (1984-92)

If you were to do a SWOT analysis of Tata Steel today, what does the future look like for Tata Steel?

Tata Steel has done very well. I think highly of the company's performances. I may not agree with all that they are doing, but I am happy with the company's performances. For instance, I don't agree with the idea of forming Jusco (to handle the utility services). I always feel that it should be under one organisation. But maybe with the company becoming global, they had to form a separate company.

Do you think the Corus acquisition was too ambitious a move for Tata Steel?

No, it is a very good move. I completely support the acquisition.

What do you dream for Tata Steel today?

I don't know what my dream for Tata Steel is but I have dreams for Jamshedpur. I am extremely fond of Jamshedpur. The city needs beautification. The roads, buildings need to be looked after. I was there two days ago and was very happy to see a green city but the roads and buildings need to be beautified.

Jamshed J Irani (1992-2001)

How do you see Tata Steel poised over the next decade?

I think, with the current plants in the pipeline, if they materialise, Tata Steel should have a tonnage of 40-50 million tonnes by the end of the decade. That would include Jamshedpur, Orissa, Corus and South East Asia. The Jamshedpur plant is a very efficient and modern plant. It is our intention to see that the same level of efficiency flows into the three main Corus plants.

In terms of best management practices, where does Tata Steel stand compared to its global peers?

Tata Steel already has the best management practices. We won the Malcolm Baldridge award seven years ago. We want to see that in our plants as well.

How can Tata Steel be best defined today?

With Corus and our plants in South East Asia, Tata Steel today is a global steelmaker.

B Muthuraman (2001 to now)

"More than a chronology of events, Tata Steel is an enterprise of enduring values as propounded by our founder, Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata. It is a company which since its inception has been following the principles, ideals and philosophy laid down by Jamsetji. It is a value-driven organisation which has never compromised on corporate governance, customer delight, creation of wealth and sustaining the well being of our society and nation. Its vision and mission has always echoed the guidelines of its forefathers who had always believed in returning to the community where it operates what you take from them"