Mangalore Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited is a part of The UB Group, a large and diversified Indian business house. The Group is one of the foremost multinational organizations based in the sub-continent with operations in many world markets. It has diverse interests - brewing, distilling, fertilizers, life sciences, engineering and information technology.

Dr. Vijay Mallya became Chairman of the Group in 1983, at the young age of 28, and has steered the businesses successfully to a combined turnover of Rs.3,500 crores. He has been conferred with Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration, honoris causa, by the Southern California University, Irvine, “being amongst the most successful entrepreneur in Asia having attained outstanding achievements and making significant contributions to society”.

Dr. Mallya received the prestigious Sir M.Visvesvaraya Memorial Award, instituted by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), on 22nd September, 2001 “for contribution to the development of trade and industry of our State and our country”.

The citation of the award reads:

“You have proved your worst sceptics wrong by achieving remarkable turnarounds of Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited and National Sorghum Breweries Limited, both of which were near bankruptcy when you defied all odds and took them over”.

Dr. Vijay Mallya is elected to the Rajya Sabha from the Karnataka assembly in the recently held elections. He took oath on 15-04-2002.