A career built on the shop floor, translated to the boardroom.
KK Padmanabhan has spent 38 years running plants, fixing operations, and advising founders across four industries. This page is his story in his own words — and the pattern behind it.
Part IThe floor.
Started as QC Supervisor at Sri Ranganatha Industries in 1988. Trained at London Rubber Company and MRF. Learned that operations problems are never really operations problems — they're decisions that never got made.
Part IIThe plants.
Built and ran production at Birla Tyres, TVS, LG Balakrishnan, Donga India, and Seinsa Autofren. At LGB, expanded the product range from 34 to 325 and helped preserve sales continuity through seven plant shifts over ten years. Each engagement demanded a different operational answer; the discipline of execution stayed the same.
Part IIIThe advisory.
Since 2023, working independently with founders and boards. Turnaround, turnkey, product development, audits, JVs, IPO readiness, funding introductions. One thesis, eight service lines.
"I've never taken a role I couldn't measure. I don't intend to start now."
The path.
Ten stops across four industries. Every one measured.
QC Supervisor
Trained on-line at London Rubber Company and MRF.
Production Engineer
Compound development and shift-level P&L.
Assistant Manager, Production
Auto-component throughput, lean introduction.
Senior Manager
Expanded the product range from 34 to 325; strengthened systems and protected supply continuity through repeated plant moves.
General Manager
Raised turnover from ₹3.5Cr to ₹4.5Cr through operational streamlining and plant leadership.
Director – Operations
Set up a greenfield project for the Spanish automotive-components firm and commissioned six moulding machines.
Chief Operating Officer
Inventory ₹9Cr → ₹4Cr in six months. ₹1.2Cr saved.
General Manager
Annual sales ₹9Cr → ₹18Cr; developed AED- and NACE-compliant specialty compounds.
Partner
Greenfield rice-sorting machinery. First-machine delivery.
Independent Advisor & Director
One thesis. Eight service lines. Direct engagements.
Credentials.
Formal qualifications behind the operational record.
MBA · Project Management
BBA
Diploma · Polymer Technology (Rubber)
Certified Lead Auditor
Certified Green Belt
NLP Practitioner
Personal Branding for Corporate Leaders
Want to know if the pattern fits your operation?
One conversation. No slides. No pitch.