The burning ambition of the Tata group

[OhioChick]

By Joe Leahy in Mumbai

Published: January 25 2008 02:00 | Last updated: January 25 2008 02:00

When executives from India's Tata group discuss globalisation, one detects an almost evangelical zeal.

RK Krishna Kumar - who as a director of the conglomerate's holding company, Tata Sons, has helped oversee many of its most successful foreign acquisitions - is no exception.

Discussing the group's latest overseas foray, the proposed acquisition of Ford's UK-based Jaguar and Land Rover marques, Mr Kumar says all large companies need a view on international expansion.

"I'm not seeing a difference between developed and developing nations," says Mr Kumar. "I think the constructs that existed in the last few decades may no longer hold in the next few years."

In the past eight years, the 140-year-old Tata group has risen beyond its roots as a domestic stalwart to become undisputed leader of the country's push overseas.

Last year, the conglomerate agreed a £6.7bn takeover of Anglo-Dutch rival Corus. It is now capturing headlines again with a bid for Jaguar and Land Rover valued at about $2bn.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/121bc0b6-cae9-11dc-a960-000077b07658.html

[Deja Q]

1. Some men who have evangelical, burning ambition for tatas end up raping.

I thought globalization was to help the whole of humanity (like what Bill Gates suggested)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2759143