Madras built the engine, Chennai is shifting gears
From a colonial trading centre to a manufacturing hub and now a diversified global business destination, the city has repeatedly reinvented itself. Chennai is now home to leading global firms, building on the foundation laid by Madras
Madras, now known as Chennai, has evolved into a global business hub. The city's journey began as a colonial trading center, shipping goods such as cotton, indigo, and hides. Over time, factories like Binny’s Buckingham Mill and Carnatic Mill emerged, employing thousands. The city's industrial development gained significant attention in 1899 when Sir Alfred Chatterton was appointed to stimulate technical education in the region.
Chennai's petrochemical industry, led by MRF, began as a small toy-balloon manufacturer. The city welcomed automotive pioneers such as Standard Motor Products of India, Ashok Leyland, and Enfield India. Chennai now boasts several leading automobile and electronics companies. The city's business landscape expanded in 1958 with the opening of Guindy Industrial Estate, one of India's first industrial estates.
Chennai has become a hotspot for startups, with over 5,134 startups registered in the city, thanks to the IIT-Madras ecosystem and its research park. The city is also home to Global Capability Centers and logistics firms like Hapag Lloyd and UPS, as well as animation, VFX, and gaming companies.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
