Created by ChristenaMcGraw
Last edited January 29, 2026

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A Mahendran
Born
1955-02-01 (age 71)
India


Occupation
Brand Builder



Arumugham Mahendran is an Indian entrepreneur and the chairman and managing director of Global Consumer Products Private Limited,[1] a ‘‘'synthetic startup'’' in the consumer goods sector. He is the former managing director of Godrej Consumer Products Limited.[2]

Early life and education

Mahendran holds a degree in Bachelors in Commerce from the Loyola College, Chennai, India[3] and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1979.[4] He also completed Advanced Management Programs from the MIT Sloan School of Management, Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and the University of Michigan's Stephen M. Ross School of Business.Template:Citation needed

Career

Mahendran began his career as a partner with Chartered Accountancy firm RNG Price & Associates in 1980.[5] In 1987, he joined Transelektra Domestic Products Limited (owned by Mr. Mohan, who created brands Good Knight and HIT). Transelektra was sold to the Godrej Group in 1994.

Mahendran then became the managing director of Godrej Hicare Limited. Within a year he sold a 51% stake in Godrej Hicare Limited to the Sara Lee Corporation,[6] USA, valuing the company at Rs. 3.8 Billion. In 2010, he acquired Sara Lee's 51% for the Godrej Group and integrated the business with Godrej Consumer Products Limited.[7] As managing director, Mahendran steered the merger and acquisition cell at Godrej Consumer Products Limited.Template:Citation needed Over a period of 3 years from 2010 to 2013, he also spearheaded Godrej Group's inorganic growth around the globe through merger & acquisition. Some of the acquisitions concluded were Tura brands (Nigeria),[8] Megasari (Indonesia),[9] Issue Group (Argentina) and Darling Group (South Africa).[10]

In 1996, Mahendran promoted a beverage company, GoodLife Industries Limited,[11] focusing on South India and producing beverages under the brand name CheriO. This brand was subsequently bought by Global Consumer Products Private Limited.[12] He also set up and promoted Harvey Heart Hospital, a super specialty cardiac care hospital in Chennai, India and continues to be its promoter and director.[13] The hospital provides clinical care for patients with heart disorders.[14]

In 2009, Mahendran promoted an online intimate apparel company called Daiki Brands Private Limited.[15] In 2012, Mahendran sold 49% of the business to Brand Capital (A Bennett, Coleman & Company firm) at a valuation of Rs. 3 Billion.[16]

In 2014, Mahendran created a synthetic start up, ‘'Global Consumer Products Private Limited'’ in the FMCG space. This joint venture along with private equity players Goldman Sachs (US) and Mitsui & Co. (Japan) was started on 1 February 2014.[17] Mahendran is the promoter, shareholder, chairman and managing director. The company has set up two offices (Bangalore and Mumbai) and developed and launched the chocolate brand, LuvIt, in the southern states of India.[18]

In January 2014, Mahendran partnered with IVF (India Value Fund) to acquire a 100% stake in ISS Hicare, a [est management firm, for Rs. 1.5 Billion.[19]

Mahendran and Bala V. Balachandran founded Great Lakes Institute of Management.[20]

References

  1. GCPL ex-MD Mahendran readies solo venture. Business Standard India(2014-12-09). Retrieved 2021-08-05.
  2. Business News Today: Read Latest Business news, India Business News Live, Share Market & Economy News. The Economic Times. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
  3. Goldman Sachs to power ex-GCPL boss' F&B venture. Business Standard India(2014-02-20). Retrieved 2021-08-05.
  4. Stocks. Bloomberg News.
  5. Stocks. Bloomberg News.
  6. DealCurry.com : Godrej Consumer Acquiring 51% in It's Sara Lee JV. Retrieved 2015-06-25.
  7. sara lee: Sara Lee selling 51% stake in Indian JV with Godrej. The Times of India(May 13, 2010). Retrieved 2021-08-05.
  8. Archived copy. Retrieved 2015-06-25.
  9. DealCurry.com : Godrej may acquire Megasari in Indonesia. Retrieved 2015-06-25.
  10. 404 | Vccircle - India startups, internet, mobile, e-commerce, software, online businesses, technology, venture capital, angel, seed funding. VCCircle. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
  11. Former Godrej Consumer Products MD launches new chocolate brand LuvIt. Business Standard India(2015-04-28). Retrieved 2021-08-05.
  12. Business News Today: Read Latest Business news, India Business News Live, Share Market & Economy News. The Economic Times. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
  13. Godrej Consumer Products Project Report | Marketing | Sales. Scribd. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
  14. Harvey Heart Hospital, Vasanthi Medical Centre, Nungambakkam, Chennai. www.tamilnow.com.
  15. Daiki Brands Private Limited - Company, directors and contact details. www.zaubacorp.com. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
  16. Stocks. Bloomberg News.
  17. 404 | Vccircle - India startups, internet, mobile, e-commerce, software, online businesses, technology, venture capital, angel, seed funding. VCCircle. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
  18. Ex-Godrej boss launches chocolate brand. Just Food(2015-05-06). Retrieved 2021-08-05.
  19. PE-backed ex-Godrej MD buys ISS Hicare. The Times of India(January 29, 2014). Retrieved 2021-08-05.
  20. How entrepreneurs can make India a superpower. Rediff. Retrieved 2021-08-05.