Rallis, a subsidiary of Tata Chemicals, has established a reputation of being a trusted solutions provider for agri-inputs, globally, with an accent on innovation, a thorough knowledge of farm science and a penetrative distribution network.
The company has established a presence across the value chain, with a healthy pipeline of sustainable products and services.
Rallis boasts of a robust product portfolio offering comprehensive crop care solutions, including formulations for crop protection and nutrition. It manufactures and markets a range of agri-inputs, which include pesticides, fungicides, insecticides, seeds, and plant growth nutrients. The product portfolio under each category covers a broad spectrum of crop-related requirements.
Rallis has evolved its innovation strategy on 'Serving Farmers through Science'. Accordingly, it develops innovative solutions to enable farmers to improve their productivity.
A strong distribution network with over 6000 + Dealers and 70000 + retailers reaches a vast multitude of India's farmers covering 80% districts and exports to over 58 countries; over various crop segments and across the cultural and linguistic borders.
Rallis India, a subsidiary of Tata Chemicals Limited which is a global company with interests in businesses that focus on LIFE: Living, Industry and Farm Essentials. The story of the company is about harnessing the fruits of science for goals that go beyond business.
Tata Chemicals is the world’s second largest producer of soda ash with manufacturing facilities in Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. The company’s industry essentials product range provides key ingredients to some of the world’s largest manufacturers of glass, detergents and other industrial products.
Serving farmers through science
To be among the top 3 leading enterprises in specific domains within farm inputs and chemistry-led businesses by 2026
Safety
Passion
Integrity
Customer Centricity
Excellence
The TATA Group is India's largest and most respected business house. The group's interests span over several businesses including automobiles, steel, chemicals, tea, information technology and hospitality. Its turnover of US$ 103.3 billion has been built on a century of commitment to the customer. Today the name of TATA is synonymous with trust - LEADERSHIP WITH TRUST.
Managing Director & CEO
Chief Financial Officer
Company Secretary
Head - Marketing (Domestic Crop Protection)
Assistant Vice President - Corporate Strategy
Assistant Vice President - International Business Division
Head - HR & Business Excellence
Vice President Manufacturing
Head - Internal Audit
Head - EHSS
Assistant Vice President - Crop Nutrition
Vice President - Supply Chain
Vice President - Domestic Sales
General Counsel
Chief, Technology & Innovation
Head – Seeds
Head - Business Development (CSM)
Head - Digital
The foundation
Ralli Brothers, a group of Greek merchants, set up a robust trading business in metals, hemp, silk, gums, and other commodities. The group rapidly gains repute as the House of Ralli and establishes itself at Tabriz, Constantinople, Marseilles, London, and Manchester.
Entry in India
In 1851, Ralli Brothers commences business in India by buying full-pressed jute bales from press owners in erstwhile Calcutta. The Ralli Brothers prosper and soon establish an office in erstwhile Bombay. In 1866, the firm is re-constituted under a strong management in London with an eye on the Indian trade pie.
A period of consolidation
The Ralli Brothers consolidate their position with opium exports from Bengal. Although jute continues to be the mainstay, the Ralli Brothers trade extensively in Shellac, Teel seed, Turmeric, Ginger, Rice, Borax, and Manchester piece goods.
Crisis strikes
Rallis sets up shop in South India. A stable rupee sees the Ralli brothers double their trade volume in India over the next ten years. The great American depression of 1929 leads to a worldwide economic stagnation and a global currency crisis. Consequently, Ralli Brothers' exports business suffers a setback.
A spell of diversification
In late 1931, Ralli Brothers pass on their Indian business operations to Argenti and Co, who become the selling agents for Ralli Brothers Limited. Then, in independent India, the company diversifies, and its fertiliser and pesticides businesses begin to take shape.
Rallis is incorporated in India on August 23, 1948 with George Euthymopoulo as the Chairman and Managing Director
Turbulent times
In 1951, Rallis India goes public, and the issue is oversubscribed. However, 1952 proves a disaster. Rallis India soon starts posting heavy losses, and its diversification plans go awry. From the latter part of the decade, things start to look up.
Mergers and acquisitions
Fisons and Tatas become the chief shareholders of Rallis India, with Fisons taking charge of Rallis' management and the Tatas reserving the right to nominate the Chairman. Fertilisers and pesticides are carved out as full-fledged divisions.
The rehabilitation
A strong credit discipline and astute management see Rallis India turn around its fortunes in the latter part of the 1970s. All divisions except pharmaceuticals are soon brimming with profits. The rehabilitation is now complete, and Rallis is set to leap into a growth phase.
A new era dawns
The era of cotton trading comes to an end, and Rallis decides to bet big on its engineering, agrochemicals, and pharmaceutical business. It buys Indian Standard Metals and establishes three new manufacturing units, including a pharmaceutical facility in Ankleshwar, Gujarat, with the license for five new drugs, and two agrochemical units in Dera Bassi, Punjab, and Ankleshwar. However, by the decade's end, the pharmaceutical and engineering businesses begin to show losses.
Specialising in agrochemicals
Rallis India closes its engineering and pharmaceutical businesses to concentrate solely on agrochemicals. It restructures and remodels its agrochemical operations and factories, respectively. New plants are added, and the company's research centre develops six new compounds every year. Soon, the company's agrochemicals business extends to seeds and other inputs such as specialty fertilisers.
A growth phase
Through a structured approach termed 'Rallis Poised', the company grows after consolidating its existing business. It strengthens its position in the agriculture space, with an enhanced international footprint. It also leverages its chemical expertise for contract manufacturing. Despite showing losses at the decade's beginning, it declares a profit of Rs 100 crore in 2009. Rallis' decision to divest its pharmaceutical business and consolidate its pesticides and fertilisers position is now paying rich dividends.
A robust entity
Rallis' acquisition of Metahelix Life Sciences, a research-based company on seeds, in 2010-11, gives it a prominent position in the seeds market. Rallis now possesses a robust suite of research, technical knowledge, germplasm, hybrids, and seed production. With a rich experience in Agri practices and a broader product portfolio in crop protection and nutrition, Rallis is a reliable solution provider to Indian farmers.
Rallis has been honoured globally for creating a sustainable commercial and industrial ecosystem
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Chairman
Non-Executive, Non-Independent
Mr. Padmanabhan's career in Tata group companies began with Tata Consultancy Services Limited (TCS) in 1982 and spans over 40 years. Mr. Padmanabhan has held various positions in reputed organisations like TCS and Tata Power. Mr. Padmanabhan was also the Group Chief Human Resources Officer at Tata Sons. He was also heading the Tata Business Excellence Group (TBExG) and the Tata Group Ethics function. Heading the TBExG, he was responsible for enabling the Business Excellence journey of Tata companies globally. This role was integral to Group initiatives in enhancing the performance of Tata companies through diagnostics, benchmarking and sharing of best practices. Under his leadership, TBExG helped companies leverage data and process excellence.
Mr. S. Padmanabhan has a distinguished academic record in the technical and management domain from reputable institutions. He is a Glaxo Marketing Scholar Medallist, a Distinguished Alumnus from IIM Bangalore, and a Gold Medallist and a Distinguished Alumnus from PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore. He has completed the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School. He is also a life member of CSI. Currently, Mr. Padmanabhan is a Director on the Board of Tata Chemicals Limited, Tata SIA Airlines Limited and The Associated Building Company Limited.
He was appointed as an Additional Director on the Board of Rallis in August 2024.
Managing Director & CEO
Dr. Gyanendra Shukla has completed his MBA in General Management from S. P. Jain Institute of Management & Research; Ph.D. in Botany (Researched on quantitative genetics) from Kanpur University; bachelor’s degree in agriculture and animal husbandry & master’s in Agronomy from G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology.
Dr. Gyanendra Shukla is a senior Agri professional with more than 35 years of leadership experience in Crop Protection & Seed Sector in India, Asia-pacific & Africa region. He has managed various senior functional & general management roles in Commercial, Sales, Corporate Affairs, Technology development & Regulatory Affairs function.
Dr. Shukla was appointed on the Board of the Company as Managing Director & CEO on April 1, 2024.
Non-Executive Non-Independent Director
An engineer from IIT Roorkee, Mr. R. Mukundan joined the TAS, after completing an MBA from FMS, Delhi University. He is also an alumnus of the Harvard Business School. During his career with the Tata Group, he has held various responsibilities across the chemical, automotive and hospitality sectors. Mr. Mukundan also serves as the Managing Director & CEO on the Board of Tata Chemicals.
He was appointed on the Board of Rallis in December 2009.
Non-Executive Independent Director
Ms. Padmini Khare Kaicker is a Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, a Certified Public Accountant (USA) and a Diploma holder in Business Finance from the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India. She is the Managing Partner of M/s B.K. Khare & Co., one of the leading Indian accounting firms. She serves on the Boards of several companies and has a wide and varied experience in the areas of audit, taxation, corporate finance, risk management, corporate governance, M&A and restructuring.
She has been appointed on the Board of Rallis since July 2016 and was further re-appointed in July 2021.
Non-Executive Independent Director
Dr. C. V. Natraj is a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He also has post-doctoral research experience in biochemistry from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Dr. Natraj has more than 30 years of experience in research. He headed the research function as Director on the Board of Hindustan Lever Limited and later went on to lead the Corporate Research function for Unilever as Senior Vice-President. He is also the Technical Advisor to the Society of Innovation and Development at the Indian Institute of Science.
He has been appointed on the Board of Rallis in July 2016 and was further re-appointed in July 2021.
Non-Executive Independent Director
D Narain (D) was the President, South Asia, Vice Chairman and MD BayerCropscience India and Global Head of Smallholder Farming for Bayer. As President for South Asia, D oversaw Bayer’s Life Science business operations across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, and as Global Head of Smallholder Farming, he led the efforts focused on providing holistic and innovative solutions for farmers in developing economies to enable them to grow their farms into sustainable businesses. He has also previously worked with ITC and Monsanto, USA.
D has nearly 4 decades of global experience in the Food and Agriculture sector having worked in leadership roles in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. He is a passionate advocate of transforming Smallholder Agriculture globally to improve livelihoods and fostering rural development through building and scaling socially focused commercial enterprises. He has also been a pioneer in bringing innovative financing and risk management solutions to farmers across the world.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Madras in Chennai, India, and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Illinois, USA. He is also a Chartered Accountant.