We have received the sad news that Sumit Mazumder, past chairman and managing director of of Indian crane manufactuter TIL (Tractors India Limited) has died.
He passed away at his home in Kolkata on Sunday, August the 31st, he was 77. He leaves behind his wife and former co-director Manzu Majumder.
Sumit Mazumder
Sumit Mazumder graduated from St Xavier's College, Kolkata, and went on to gain a Masters in Business Administration from Sam Houston State University in Texas followed by the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard University. After completing his extensive education, he joined TIL which was managed by his older brother Bobby Mazumder. He took over from him as managing director in 1995.
During his time as managing director of TIL he made numerous changes and improvements, especially in the area of employee care and management and oversaw the production of the company’s 5,000th crane at its Kamarhatty plant and was responsible for the construction and opening of a second production facility in Kharagpur, Bengal which opened in 2011.
He eventually took over as chairman from Bobby Mazumder, as executive chairman, and remaining as chairman and managing director until the business was acquired last January by Indocrest Defence Solutions a business with the Gainwell Group. Gainwell owns a Caterpillar distributor. Tractors India was initially set up as a Caterpillar distributor in 1944, adding the Coles Crane distributor in 1950 and becoming a Coles licensee in 1960. It divesting the Caterpillar dealership business in 2018.
In his resignation letter he said: “Although I have been active longer than my retirement age, but as they say, it’s never too late. Consequently, I am tendering my resignation as there is no successor to continue business operations after me.”
Sumit Mazumder was also chairman of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry from 2002 to 2003. A statement from the organisation this morning said: “He was a respected voice in national economic policy as national leader of chambers of commerce and spokesperson for industry.”
He was also president of the Confederation of Indian Industry - CII from 2015 until 2016 and sat on the boards of several industry associations. A CII statement added: “A visionary leader, he made outstanding contributions to Indian industry and to strengthening institutional leadership. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.”
CII director general Chandrajit Banerjee said: “The CII family mourns the profound loss of Mr. Sumit Mazumder, who was our president in 2015–16. For decades, his foresight and guidance shaped many of CII’s most important initiatives. His commitment to CII—going back to the AIEI days—was remarkable and enduring.”
“He played a pioneering role in establishing IMME and the Global Mining Summit and built them into platforms that put India’s mining sector on the global map. His passion for manufacturing, mining, technology, and globalisation enriched both CII and Indian industry in countless ways. At WBIDC, his vision and counsel helped strengthen the industrial ecosystem of eastern India.”
“But more than these achievements, what we will miss most is the person he was—warm, generous with his time, and always willing to listen. Sumit had a rare ability to connect with people, whether in boardrooms or in quiet conversations, and that left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. The CII family joins in mourning his passing, and we know that his ideas and his jovial spirit will continue to guide our work for years to come.
Rest in peace, Sumit.”
The video below gives a nice flavour of Sumit Mazumder’s business sense
It is with profound sorrow and a deep sense of loss that I share the news of the passing of our former Chairman, Mr. Sumit Mazumder. To our company, he was one of the tallest visionaries who laid the very foundations on which we stand tall today.
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To the state of West Bengal and to our country, he was one of the most prominent industry doyens who richly contributed to the shaping of industrial policies and practices.
To me, he was far more — my worthy predecessor and former CMD, a mentor, a guide, and above all, a cherished friend and an affectionate elder brother. His wisdom shaped my journey and his warmth touched my heart in ways words cannot fully express.
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Mr. Mazumder’s leadership was about building people, nurturing values, and leading with compassion. His absence leaves a void that can never truly be filled. As we grieve this immense loss, we rededicate ourselves to the extraordinary legacy he leaves behind — one of vision and kindness that will continue to inspire us for decades to come.
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Rest in peace SMR, Sir. We will miss you, forever.
Sunil Chaturvedi
Gainwell
vertikal editor
Emailed message
It is with profound sorrow and a deep sense of loss that I share the news of the passing of our former Chairman, Mr. Sumit Mazumder. To our company, he was one of the tallest visionaries who laid the very foundations on which we stand tall today.
.
To the state of West Bengal and to our country, he was one of the most prominent industry doyens who richly contributed to the shaping of industrial policies and practices.
To me, he was far more — my worthy predecessor and former CMD, a mentor, a guide, and above all, a cherished friend and an affectionate elder brother. His wisdom shaped my journey and his warmth touched my heart in ways words cannot fully express.
.
Mr. Mazumder’s leadership was about building people, nurturing values, and leading with compassion. His absence leaves a void that can never truly be filled. As we grieve this immense loss, we rededicate ourselves to the extraordinary legacy he leaves behind — one of vision and kindness that will continue to inspire us for decades to come.
.
Rest in peace SMR, Sir. We will miss you, forever.
Sunil Chaturvedi
Gainwell