In 1997, despite a challenging period for the textile industry due to the downturn following the Bombay strike of the 1980s, a first-generation entrepreneur Tushar from a textile family was inspired to innovate.
Seeking to revive his family’s spinning mill, he explored high-value applications of cotton yarn, such as its use in tire cord fabric. This led him to experiment with machinery and raw materials to produce specialized yarn. A visit to a plant producing nylon-based technical textiles further sparked his interest. Realizing the potential of this niche industry, he combined his technical textile knowledge with innovative thinking. With guidance from an industry expert, he ventured into this transformative field, driven by a vision to adapt and excel in a changing market.
The entrepreneur ventured into the technical textile industry, focusing on supplying fabrics for the rubber industry, a vast segment encompassing automobile components, tires, conveyor belts, and marine products. During a factory visit, he discovered how critical fabrics are in reinforcing rubber, as rubber alone lacks strength. For instance, about 30% of a tire comprises fabric for added durability.
This realization was a turning point, inspiring him to explore this field further. Starting with limited knowledge and experience, he learned on the go, gradually introducing his family to this innovative sector. His journey reflects a blend of curiosity, adaptability, and a drive to create value in a specialized industry.
The entrepreneur faced significant hurdles when starting in the technical textile industry. Initially, his team lacked business experience in this niche, as well as knowledge of the specialized products required. They identified three products to manufacture — tire fabrics, conveyor belts, and cotton-based materials — based on their limited understanding. Despite investing in six machines and dividing resources among these products, they failed due to their traditional textile mindset. They focused on aesthetics like fabric slubs, which were irrelevant in technical textiles that prioritized properties such as breaking strength and elongation.
Another major challenge was the lack of industry knowledge, not just within the team but across the board, including government ministries and financial institutions. Banks, influenced by the downturn in the textile sector at the time, were reluctant to provide support, categorizing the venture as part of the struggling textile industry. For years, the business operated without proper funding, relying on personal connections and short-term loans to stay afloat.
A turning point came when a nationalized bank manager recognized the company’s potential. After a factory visit, he acknowledged the business as more of an engineering enterprise rather than traditional textiles, opening the door to small financial facilities. This crucial support helped the entrepreneur gradually overcome the initial struggles and build a foundation for growth.
The entrepreneur initially struggled with a lack of expertise and resources, leading to multiple failures. To adapt, the team shifted focus to mastering one product at a time and collaborated with established players in the field. They partnered with JK, a forward-thinking company that converted remnants of yarn into products instead of selling them at discounted rates.
By converting fabric for JK, the team learned critical aspects of the process, including weaving and rubberizing with latex. When JK eventually closed its unit, a segment of their team joined the entrepreneur, further enhancing his knowledge. Inspired by JK’s workflow, he began creating his own fabric, using earnings from conversions to buy second-grade yarn. He replicated the process — rubberizing the fabric and selling it in Punjab — building his expertise and establishing a foothold in the technical textile industry through hands-on learning and persistence.
Helping others is a cornerstone of personal and professional growth. It fosters trust, builds relationships, and creates opportunities for mutual learning and collaboration. When we assist others, we not only contribute to their success but also gain insights and skills that can enhance our own understanding.
In business, offering support can lead to long-term partnerships, just as mentorship and guidance can empower individuals to overcome challenges. Helping also cultivates a positive environment, where shared success becomes the norm. For instance, the entrepreneur’s journey reflects how collaboration with JK not only provided initial work but also imparted critical knowledge that became the foundation for growth.
Helping isn’t just about giving; it’s about creating a cycle of value where everyone involved grows together. It’s a reminder that shared progress often leads to greater and more sustainable success than solitary endeavors.
Building a passionate and adaptable team played a crucial role in the entrepreneur’s success. Initially, the team comprised members from his father’s textile company, skilled in traditional textiles but unfamiliar with the demands of technical textiles. Over time, the focus shifted to selecting individuals willing to put in the effort, adapt to new challenges, and embrace a growth-oriented mindset.
A turning point came when five experienced professionals from JK joined the team after JK’s closure. Among them was a leader with extensive expertise in the field and a progressive approach to work. He introduced practices like Kaizen, promoting a culture where everyone contributed beyond their defined roles, fostering hands-on involvement, and embracing challenges.
This mindset transformation permeated the company. Team members learned to persevere through repeated failures, continuously improving and innovating. Those resistant to change were replaced with individuals aligned with the company’s evolving goals and culture. This resilient and adaptive spirit, driven by key team members, became the backbone of the company’s success, enabling it to thrive in the challenging technical textile industry.
Through perseverance, adaptability, and the commitment of a dedicated team, the company transformed into a solid and secure entity. Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks in its early years, the organization evolved by fostering a resilient culture, embracing innovation, and learning from failures.
Today, the company stands as a debt-free, self-reliant enterprise, a testament to its strong foundation, strategic decision-making, and the unwavering spirit of its team. This journey reflects how determination and teamwork can turn a vision into a lasting success.
Faced with limited resources and support from major institutions, the company adopted a strategy of targeting niche markets with highly specialized products. Recognizing the challenges of competing with large players in conventional segments, the entrepreneur focused on creating products that were difficult to manufacture and had a high risk of failure — areas where others hesitated to venture.
One key success was the development of a complex fabric for the automobile industry. Despite three years of repeated failures and persistent experimentation, the team eventually perfected the product, becoming the sole manufacturer in India. This exclusivity resulted from not just technical expertise but also the trust built with clients over time. The rigorous development process and willingness to risk setbacks solidified long-term relationships, as customers preferred the reliability and confidence of an established supplier.
This strategy of tackling difficult, high-value products has become the company’s hallmark. Today, out of its 150-ton monthly production (aiming for 200 tons post-expansion), 30–40 tons consist of specialized fabrics that few competitors attempt to produce.
By carving out a niche and excelling in areas others avoid, the company has established itself as a leader in innovation and quality within the technical textile industry.…Read more by Next wavee