CV Jacob, who pioneered Kerala’s value-added spices sector, dies at 87

By Express News Service
KOCHI: CV Jacob, who began out as a small-time cardamom dealer on the age of 15 earlier than founding Synthite Industries within the early Nineteen Seventies, died right here on Sunday. He was 87. Synthite Industries has gone on to grow to be the main producer of value-added spices on this planet.

Jacob began his profession in cardamom commerce and auctions in 1950 after finishing his formal schooling. In 1951, after he took up the household enterprise of civil engineering contracts, the 16-year-old realised its potential and expanded the enterprise by beginning a partnership agency ‘Varkeysons’ in 1954. The new enterprise took up a number of prestigious civil engineering contracts in Sabarigiri and Idukki hydroelectric tasks.  He specialised in tunnelling and bridges which helped the agency progress.  His engineering works within the early days of his profession embody the diversion tunnel at Anairangal dam between 1959 and 1960, entry tunnel to Moolamattom underground powerhouse between 1964 and 1966 and the bridges at Kalarkutty hydroelectric challenge.

The fixed innovator and indefatigable explorer in him blazed a brand new path when in 1972 he forayed into spice oleoresin trade and established Synthite Industrial Chemicals (P) Ltd, now renamed Synthite Industries Ltd. Spice oleoresin was a non-traditional product for export on the time. Cumulatively creating a wide range of merchandise this conglomerate now has a bunch turnover of `1,600 crore. “C V Jacob had played a key role in the growth of Kerala’s industrial sector  and he pioneered the state’s rise in the spices sector,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated in his condolence message.

Currently, Synthite contributes practically half of India’s export of spice oleoresins and is equal to 30 per cent of the world demand.  Synthite has a portfolio of 500 merchandise from spice oleoresins, important oils, pure meals colors, practical meals elements, flavours and many others. The group employs greater than 2,500 individuals instantly and  gives livelihood to a number of thousand rural farmers not directly.  

Jacob has been the secretary of St Peter’s College, Kolenchery since 1987, govt member and adviser to Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Medical Mission Hospital & College, Kolenchery and director of Kochi airport. He is survived by  spouse Aleyamma Jacob, his elder son Viju Jacob(managing director of Synthite Industries Pvt Ltd), and youthful son Aju Jacob, (operations and strategic director of Synthite).  Elvy Ninan,  Silvy Mani,  Minna Mathew and Minnie Sajeev are his daughters.

The funeral service can be held at his residence at 2pm on Monday and the ultimate prayers at St Peters and St Paul’s Church, Kolenchery round 3pm.