TEGA Industries Ltd: Journey of an Indian MNC (Part B)

Madan Mohanka (MM) set up Tega Industries Ltd. in 1976 to manufacture abrasion-resistant rubber mill-lining products used in the mining and mineral-processing industries. This was a completely new technology for India; in fact, he had set up a plant for mill liners even before any takers for his products in the market existed. Tega first set foot in overseas markets in 1998 after it became free of the export restraint imposed on it by its mentor and stakeholder, Skega AB, a Swedish company. It received its first international order from Ghana and subsequently set up a sales subsidiary in the country. It then gradually opened sales and distribution offices in Australia, the USA, Mexico and Canada. The business was slow to develop in each of these countries, and sales picked up after a tenuous ride. In 2006, as part of its inorganic expansion strategy, Tega bought a small rubber-manufacturing company that sold mill liners in South Africa. Between 2006 and 2011, Tega’s business grew at 40% compound annual growth rate. Buoyed by this growth, Tega made two back to back acquisitions in Australia and Chile in 2011. However, several managerial, legal and commercial problems crept up in its Chilean manufacturing facilities after the acquisition. These problems led to a severe financial downturn in Tega’s fortunes in 2016, compelling it to either plan a revival or divest its interest in its Chilean plant.