He is unassuming yet steely. Managing Director of the dairy co-op giant GCMMF R S Sodhi- the man who suffered bruises in the B M Vyas- Parthi Bhatol spat has been awarded another term for 5 years by the GCMMF Board last week.
Talking to Indian Cooperative soon after the Board decision Sodhi said” I respect the decision of the Honourable Board and would continue to make efforts to take Amul to the pinnacle of success.”
Credited with uncanny marketing skills he saw in his last term Amul double its business from Rs 10000 crore to Rs 20,733 crore. The Board also felt compelled to retain him till the co-operative giant achieves its avowed target of Rs 50,000 crore turn over by 2020.
Sodhi himself has on a number of occasions said he aims to achieve this target. He has planned rapid expansion across the entire value chain. With increased milk procurement, Amul’s processing capacities across all member unions have been also enhanced. It has also ventured into the hitherto unchartered areas.
“Sodhi has done a good work as Managing Director of the company, so the board decided to extend his tenure for one more term of five years,” GCMMF Chairman Jethabhai P Patel told PTI.
Patel added that Sodhi has done a remarkable job especially in marketing. He has a long experience of working with the cooperative and had worked with Dr Kurien.
Sodhi has been the Managing Director at Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation since January 4, 2011 and serves as its Chief General Manager. Mr. Sodhi served as In charge Managing Director of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation from June 2010 to January 4, 2011. Sodhi was supposed to retire on December 31, after completing his term of five years. He has been working with Amul for the last 34 years.
He has done his MBA from the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) and started his career as Senior Manager Sales in Amul and by sheer hard labour rose to achieve the mantle of the cooperative behemoth.