Amara Raja plugs into new energy.

Amara Raja Batteries Limited, the country’s second largest auto battery maker and owner of brand Amaron, is at an inflection point in its business journey. The near $1 billion revenue battery major is transitioning from being a lead acid batteries (LAB) maker to a new energy player driving into growth segments such as lithium ion batteries, and solutions for electric mobility. It is also evaluating plans for a giga factory to produce batteries for electric vehicles at scale.

The decision to tap new areas was on the cards, but was formalised at a Board meeting last week. It was an emotion-charged meeting as Founder-Chairman Ramachandra Galla, who had steered the Group for 36 years, decided to step down and put his son Jayadev, 55, in the driving seat.

The meeting also gave indications of the succession planning: Jayadev’s nephews — Harshavardhana Gourineni (Harsha) and Vikramadithya Gourineni (Vikram), were appointed as Executive Directors.

HBL