Amul MD, RS Sodhi steps down — a look at his 40-year-long journey

Jan 10, 2023

Credit: BCCL

RS Sodhi steps down as MD

64-year-old Rupinder Singh Sodhi stepped down from his position as the managing director of Amul on January 9, 2023.

Credit: BCCL

COO Jayen Mehta takes over

Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) decided that Jayen Mehta, its COO will take charge in the interim. Mehta has been a part of the federation for over 30 years.

Credit: BCCL

Decision taken during the board meeting

Reports state that the board sent a letter to Sodhi signed by chairman Shamalbhai Patel and vice chairman Valamjibhai Humbal. The letter stated, “You’re hereby directed to relinquish your charge as MD with immediate effect and hand it over to federation COO, Jayenbhai Mehta."

Credit: BCCL

Sodhi’s statement on resignation

“For the last 3-4 years, I was contemplating relinquishing my responsibility as MD. I was on an extension for the last two years and had requested the board to relieve me,” Sodhi told the Times of India.

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Sodhi’s 40-year-long stint with Amul

Sodhi joined the leading dairy giant in 1982 as senior sales officer. So far, he has served various positions in the company. His stint with Amul lasted 40 years.

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Worked closely with Dr Kurien

As per reports, Sodhi worked closely with Dr Verghese Kurien, the founder of GCMMF. Since 1994, he worked in various roles, such as group product manager, general manager (marketing), chief general manager, etc. before being appointed the MD in 2010.

Credit: Amul

During his tenure as MD, GCMMF’s turnover jumped from ₹9,774 crore in 2010-11 to ₹61,000 crore in 2021-22.

He also projected that by the end of 2022-23, the federation will turn into a ₹72,000 crore body.

Credit: BCCL

MD for 12 years

He was appointed as the managing director of the company in June 2010. He served two terms of five years each as MD. His second term originally ended two years ago, in 2020.

Credit: BCCL

Educational background

He did his bachelor’s in agricultural engineering from College of Technology and Engineering, Udaipur (CTAE). Later on, he pursued a post-graduate diploma in Risk Management from Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA).

Credit: IRMA