Mumbai
₹ 13,835 /gm (1.30%)
India's finance community mourns the loss of Ashwin Suryakant Dani, a luminary and non-executive chairman of Asian Paints Ltd, who passed away at 79 on 28 September 2023. A Mumbai-born innovator with a Jain family heritage, Dani rose as a business magnate, ranking among the top 50 wealthiest Indians. His storied career began in 1967 with Inmont Corp, leading to a transformative tenure at Asian Paints from 1968. Instrumental in pioneering computerized color matching in India, Dani's strategic alliances, notably the PPG Asian Paints joint venture, marked him as a visionary in technology and polymer science. He earned multiple accolades, including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Manufacturing (2003). His legacy endures through his contributions to various industry and educational boards and his son Malav Dani's continued role at Asian Paints.
October 24, 1942
Paints
Manufacturing
India
Master of Science, University of Akron; Bachelor of Arts/Science, University of Mumbai
Ashwin Suryakant Dani was born in 1943 or 1944 in a Mumbai-based Jain family. His father, Suryakant Dani, was a co-founder of Asian Paints Ltd., a leading Indian paint company. Ashwin Dani obtained various degrees in science, technology, and polymer science from prestigious institutions in India and the United States.
Ashwin Dani & family: Family
Ashwin Dani was married to Ina Dani, and they had three children together. His son, Malav Dani, is a non-executive director on the board of Asian Paints.
Ashwin Dani & family: Career Highlights
Ashwin Dani began his career in 1967 as a development chemist with Inmont Corp (now BASF) in Detroit, Michigan, USA. In 1968, he joined Asian Paints as a senior executive and held various senior positions throughout his career, including director of R&D, works director, whole-time director, and vice chairman.
During his tenure at Asian Paints, Ashwin Dani was responsible for developing and introducing many products for the first time in India. He also pioneered the idea of computerized color matching in the Indian paint industry and was instrumental in setting up PPG Asian Paints, a joint venture with PPG Industries.
Ashwin Dani & family: Companies
Ashwin Dani was associated with various companies and organizations throughout his career. He was a founding member of the Colour Group of India, promoting computerized color matching and measurement. He also served as an advisor to the Central Board of Trustees of the Employees Provident Fund, president of the Indian Paint Association, and president of the Board of Governors of the UDCT Alumni Association.
Additionally, Ashwin Dani was a member of the Board of Management of the Institute of Chemical Technology and a board and audit committee member of Sun Pharmaceuticals from 2004 to 2018. He was also a board member of ACC Ltd, chairman of its Nomination and Remuneration Committee, and a member of its Audit Committee.
He served as president of Kapadwanj Kelavani Mandal, an educational institute in Gujarat.
Ashwin Dani & family: Major Achievements
Ashwin Dani's major achievements include developing and introducing numerous products for the first time in India, pioneering computerized color matching in the Indian paint industry, and playing a key role in establishing PPG Asian Paints, a joint venture with PPG Industries.
Ashwin Dani & family: Awards & Achievements
Ashwin Dani received several awards and recognitions for his contributions to the paint industry and business. These include the Cheminor Award for excellence in Supply Chain (2002), Achiever of the Year Award – Chemical Industry (2003), Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Manufacturing (2003), Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Paint Association (2011), Colour Society Lifetime Achievement Award (2012), Businessman of the Year by Business India Magazine (2015), and the B. Krishnamurthy Award of Excellence (2017).
Ashwin Dani & family: Personal Life & Legacy
Ashwin Dani passed away on 28 September 2023 at the age of 79. He left behind a legacy of innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship in the Indian paint industry. His contributions to Asian Paints and the broader business community have had a lasting impact, and he is remembered as a visionary leader who transformed the paint industry in India.
Ashwin Dani & family: Trivia
Ashwin Dani was known for his passion for art and culture. He was an avid collector of Indian classical music and art and was involved in various cultural initiatives. He also had a keen interest in sports and was a supporter of the Indian cricket team.
Ashwin Suryakant Dani was born in a Mumbai-based Jain family.
Dani obtained his first job as a development chemist with Inmont Corp (now BASF) in Detroit.
Dani joined Asian Paints as a senior executive.
Dani became the vice chairman and managing director of Asian Paints.
Dani retired as the vice chairman and managing director of Asian Paints.
Dani received the Cheminor Award for excellence in Supply Chain.
Dani received the Achiever of the Year Award – Chemical Industry and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Manufacturing.
Dani joined the Board & Audit Committee of Sun Pharmaceuticals.
Dani received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Paint Association.
Dani received the Colour Society Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dani was named Businessman of the Year by Business India Magazine.
Dani received the B. Krishnamurthy Award of Excellence.
Ashwin Suryakant Dani passed away at the age of 79.
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Who was Ashwin Suryakant Dani and what was his role at Asian Paints Ltd?
What was Ashwin Suryakant Dani's background and early career?
How did Ashwin Suryakant Dani contribute to the Indian paint industry?
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