The Talk
The Identity and Idea of India at Manthan with C Balagopal, former IAS officer and Entrepreneur
C Balagopal
Mr Balagopal is a former IAS Officer who worked in various posts in Manipur and Kerala.
He resigned from the IAS in 1983 to promote a joint-venture company with the support of National Research Development Corporation and KSIDC to make innovative bio-medical devices in India using indigenous technology.
Acquired technology, conducted feasibility studies, market research, arranged finances, recruited project team, set up Blood Bag Factory at Puliyarakonam, Trivandrum
Between 1988 and 2013 he was Managing Director TERUMO PENPOL Limited.
PENPOL entered into a Joint Venture with TERUMO CORPORATION, Japan. TERUMO CORP. are the world leader in high-tech medical products. The plant is now the biggest of its kind in Asia outside Japan. More than 1000 skilled people work in the factory. Today the company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Terumo Corp.
The Blood Bag Factory has been certified to ISO 9002 since 1995 and has CE Mark Certification. The Medical Systems Group was certified to ISO 9001 in 1999 and CE Mark in 2002.
Business turnover in the last financial year was Rs 175 cr, and PAT Rs 17 cr. This year sales are projected to cross Rs 250 cr. Products are exported to more than 50 countries and exports are growing. With the projected expansion plan, TPL will become the largest manufacturer of blood bags in the world.
He has been awarded widely.
• Management Leadership Award of Trivandrum Management Association in 1990
• National R&D Award for successful commercialization of Indigenous Technology by Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India in 1995
• National Export Awards every year from 1994-95 onwards
• Outstanding Entrepreneurship Award from Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation 2011
• Business Excellence Award 2011 from The Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Has attended ISBT Conferences in various parts of the world, and has presented papers at international conferences. Has advised various agencies on aspects of setting up a modern Blood Service, and helped to draw up detailed plans for setting up a State Blood Transfusion Service for several State Governments.
TPL has been recognized by ISBTI and other National Organizations for CSR activities aimed at promoting Voluntary Blood Donation. TPL has a strong community development program at Vilappil Panchayat aimed at supporting the Government Lower Primary Schools, and the public health system.
Balagopal has written a book ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE INDIA based on his experiences as an IAS officer in Manipur in India’s North East. This book is published by Harper Collins and was released in Delhi and Trivandrum in October 2013.
Balagopal is married to Vinita and they have four children. They spend their time between Trivandrum and Bengaluru. After retiring from TPL, Balagopal continues to support startup ventures, both as investor and mentor. He plans to get more involved with community development projects in Vilappil Panchayat and is in the process of setting up a Trust for the purpose.
