George Varughese, the founder of the Midas Group of Companies based in Kottayam, Kerala, India, passed away on August 28 at the age of 85. Over the past 55 years, he transformed Midas from a small operation in South India into Asia’s largest tread rubber manufacturer and a globally recognised name in the retreading industry.
Midas Founder Leaves Strong Legacy in Indian Retreading Industry
The son of prominent rubber planter BF Varughese and well-known cookery writer Saramma Varughese, George Varughese was educated at the Lawrence School in Lovedale, Ooty in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
As the owner of the Panampunna Rubber Estate in Kottayam, he eventually became involved in the retreading industry through supplying tread rubber to prominent local institutions. He established General Rubber Company, the manufacturer of the Midas brand, in 1969 with the purchase of a single open mixing mill and steadily expanded it into six factories, serving customers in more than 60 countries around the world. During the 1980s he was a regular visitor to trade shows around the world. The publisher of this magazine recalls meeting him on several occasions at the Louisville show in the USA.
Over the years Varughese transformed the Midas business into an internationally recognised player in retreading sector, and brought his two sons into the business, both of whom remain active as directors of the Group.
Varughese, who will be remembered as a pioneer and respected leader of the Indian retreading sector, is survived by sons Varkey and Paulose, and daughter Sara. We would like to express our condolences to them and to all his colleagues.
