The word ‘Kirloskar’ brings to mind the whirring sound produced by power generators. Laxman Rao Kirloskar is one of the few industrialists who identified the fact that apart from developing the state of agriculture, it was necessary to simultaneously develop industrial strength for the welfare of the country. He felt that for the development of villages it was imperative that we invent the right tools and implements.
So initially he developed the iron plough to replace the wooden one. The plough was the primary tool used by a farmer, and a wooden one had to be replaced every year. But an iron one could last a lifetime. However, procuring the iron was a problem. So he bought old iron cannons from the King of Kolhapur.
The Kirloskar company now manufactures a number of agricultural and engineering equipment and engines. These play an important role in industries. In this way Kirloskar had a far-reaching impact on these industries. He paid attention to the fact that the machines manufactured by him were the best in quality. As a result, not only in India, he was highly respected in the world too. And this respect he earned in 1926 itself.
In 1926, he held an exhibition of his products. Many people including foreigners had seen the products for the first time. And one of them asked whether the goods were of foreign origin.
Even after so many years the capacity and quality of Kirloskar engines and other equipments have not lessened. The Kirloskar group has recently started an automobile plant for the manufacture of cars.
Laxman Rao Kirloskar’s name has been etched forever among the prominent industrialists of the 20th century.