From Selling Balloons To Rs 57,383 Crore: This Tycoon Built India's Largest Tyre Manufacturer –Know His Connection With Virat Kohli

K.M. Mammen Mappillai’s journey began with extreme challenges. After his family’s business was seized, Mammen, while pursuing studies, slept on the floors of his college. Despite hardships, he kept pushing forward.

After graduation, Mammen began selling toy balloons on the streets of Madras (now Chennai). This humble business was his first step into entrepreneurship.

In 1946, Mammen established MRF (Madras Rubber Factory) as a small toy balloon unit. His big breakthrough came in 1952 when he ventured into the retreading business, revamping old tyres. This set the foundation for MRF's tyre manufacturing journey.

Mammen invested his entire earnings from selling balloons into the new retreading business. By 1961, MRF captured 50 per cent of the tread rubber market, outpacing foreign competitors. The same year, India’s Prime Minister, Pandit Nehru, inaugurated MRF's first tyre factory.

MRF continued to grow, and in 1992, Mammen Mappillai was awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to the industry. Today, MRF stands as India’s largest tyre manufacturer with a market value of ₹57,383 crore.

MRF is widely recognized in India, partly due to its association with cricket. Virat Kohli, one of India’s most celebrated cricketers has been the brand ambassador for MRF Tyres for several years, strengthening the company’s presence globally.

Though Mammen Mappillai passed away in 2003, his legacy lives on through the success of MRF. His journey from selling balloons to building a tyre empire remains an inspiration for all aspiring entrepreneurs.