Thodupuzha: Industrialist Isac Joseph Kottukappally, the chairman of the Lunar Group of Companies, passed away here. He was 76.
Isac, the son of Kottukappally Dr Joseph and Rosamma, was born on June 2 in 1946. After completing his graduation in mechanical engineering, he worked at Premier Automobiles in Mumbai. Later, he returned to his native place and started his own business.
Isac started Lunar Rubbers in 1981. He has won several accolades, including the Kerala government's Best Entrepreneur Award and the Business Excellence Award. Isac had also served as the director of Jeevan TV and the Divine Retreat Center at Muringoor.
The funeral will be held at St Peter’s And Paul's church at Ponnamthanam on Monday. His mortal remains will be taken to his house at Olamattom around 5pm on Sunday.
His wife is Maryamma (Kanjirappally Nadackal family). Children: Juby Isac, Julie Sibil and Jess Isac and their spouses: Teena Pallivathukkal (Kanjirappally), Sibil Jose Tharakan (Thrissur), and Maria Alapatt (Ollur).
Lunar's growth as a leading brand
Isac Joseph was able to transform Lunar, which was started in Thodupuzha, into a leading brand.
Several people were initially sceptical of Isac's move to start a small enterprise in Idukki, an agrarian district. But learning from his failures and the zest he gained from his experience helped Isac to surge ahead.
His father Joseph, an honest government official, did not want any of his 12 children to become government employees. And all of his children abided by his wish.
After graduating in mechanical engineering from the NSS Engineering College in Palakkad in 1970, Isac worked at Premier Automobiles in Mumbai for one year.
He then returned to his native place and started Viking Rubbers Pvt Ltd at the Thodupuzha mini-industrial area.
He suffered losses in the initial years due to a lack of experience. But constant learning and consultations with the experts gradually helped the business to grow. Lunar started operations in 1981 and it did not take long for that brand to become a household name in Kerala.
Along with his business, Isac had also worked as a teacher at various MBA and engineering colleges. He had also authored a book 'Noothana Samrambhakarkayi Noorukaryangal'.
