Rising Giants

The Economic Times: These two gentlemen personify the global ambitions of their companies. Jalaj Dani, the thirty-something scion of Asian Paints practically lives out of his suitcase.
He has to. Asian Paints, manufactures in 21 countries, are a licensee in 4, and sells in 65 countries, employing 1,400 people outside India from 22 nationalities .
Since 1999, the company has gone on an acquisition spree, lapping up companies around the world, including the troubled paint maker Berger. “It’s our aim to be among the top paint companies in the world,” says Dane.
In another part of the world, Chuanzhi Liu, chairman of Lenovo Group, acquired IBM’s PC business some days ago. With this acquisition, he created the world’s third largest PC company, with approximately $12 billion annual revenues for 2003, and has even shifted the headquarters to New York. The total deal was worth $1.75 billion.
“As Lenovo’s founder, I am excited by this breakthrough in Lenovo’s journey towards becoming an international company. I have been delighted to watch Lenovo become a truly world-class company,” Liu was reported to have said.
The two companies that these gents represent portray the rise of their respective country’s businesses into multinational companies.
New emerging trends in India, China [The Economic Times]