#41st year in to the Leather World#
Passion driven journey continues…..
God has been kind that, i have entered my 41st year of “Leather Life.”
Great feeling of blessing, to have lived, dreamt, slept, smelt, felt Leather all through these years.
What a memorable journey from Raw material, tanning, marketing, designing, conceptualization, innovation – the journey continues..
Had the opportunity to work all throughout India from Raw Material Sourcing to tanning of various types and converting them in to various types of Leather Products (Shoes, Bags, Belts, Gloves, Garments, Lifestyle Products) is all about getting experience, exposure and knowledge.
Not only in India, from Nepal, Bangladesh, Srilanka, Iran, Italy, China, Vietnam to Thailand, US and all over Europe, it is all about experiencing various types of Leather & Leather Products.
It is not a cake walk. Trials, Tribulations, Acid Tests, Insults, Challenges, tension, pressure all these got converted in to steps which made me, what i am today. Life is full of learning. It is always the result that counts.
1. Started in 1982 (1st July)
2. 1987 – Heading a tannery to produce 1 million sqft of finished leather from Raw every month.
Running it as individual profit sector with 800 workers and 70 staffs, gave all that immense knowledge and experience.
No labor problem was reported though the region was prone to labor problems.
Involved with the effluent water treatment having our own plant.
3. 1987 – Initiated Terracota Buff calf & Cow calf tanning first time in Ambur (Tamilnadu).
4. 1988 – Started Leather Garments manufacturing & marketing from Chennai.
5. 1989 – Started hand woven mesh Uppers flat and lasted uppers from Chennai.
6. 1991 – Completed the state of the art tannery with all Italian Machines.
Referred as a “youth icon” by the then Collector of North Arcot District.
7. 1992 – Involved in the project of Carbon dioxide deliming along with Dr. T. Ramaswamy, CLRI with UNIDO support.
8. 1995 – Initiated imported raw hides from Europe to be tanned in India in to wet blue to give advantage of fresh tanned leathers to Indian tanneries against the sammed and dried wetblue, otherwise imported.
9. 1996 – Tanning operations set up in two Cities of Maharashtra to supply wetblue to TATA.
10. 1996 – Agency operation to source footwear from Chennai for Deichmann, Quelle, Salamander, etc.,
11. 2002 – Working at Iran to improve the leather finishing systems and upgrading footwear production.
12. 2003 – Started Sourcing of Wetblue from Nepal to Thailand, China, Vietnam & Iran.
Opened up opportunity to export finished leather from Nepal to Mumbai Shoe factory.
13. 2003 – Started Export operation and opportunity for Vishnu Chrome to Nepal and opened the gateway to China & other countries.
14. 2004 – Initiated export of Leather Goods (Bags, Wallets, Belts, Gloves & Lifestyle Products) to Iran first time from India and went on until 2016. Curtailed due to International sanctions.
15. 2006 – Chanelised the supply chain for Zara Women Bags in Split Suedes particularly in Black & Red Color, which became the record selling bags.
16. 2009 – Involved with Iranian automotive giants for upholstery leathers for their cars.
17. 2009 – Brought in Japanese Brand to source products from Nepal. Revolutionised the customary Dhaka fabric to a fashion statement with colors and life.
Hand made silk, natural dyes, woolen products and pashmina were all exported as scarfs and stohls to Japan.
Improving the sourcing and bag manufacturing for the same brand at Bangladesh.
18. 2010 – Involved with Glenn Mitchell from Australia from designing and sourcing leather goods from India for a famous Australian Brand.
19. 2013 – Started sourcing of Leather Garments from India for Russian fashion giant.
20. 2015 – Opened a new market approach for an Italian based Bonded Leather Manufacturer to convert it as Belts, Footbed & SLG.
21. 2016 – Converting Brazilian Cow Splits (Zeebo) to Smooth finish for Belts in thickness 3.2/3.4mm as well as suedes.
22. Initiated Components & panels selling of split suedes for American Brand supplier for cushion covers.
23. 2017 – Recognised as a good supply source for prestigious American Brand Ralph Lauren for lifestyle leathers.
Involved with BATA Hosur for supply of Super soft cow lining for Dr. Schol range of sandals and Drum Dyed Crust for Classic Shoes.
24. 2020 – Motivating the leather fraternity with various options and articles of leather and leather products during the pandemic.
25. 2020 – Released my first book during the pandemic bringing out my writing skills.
26. 2020 – Leather Mask with breathable cotton lining with replacement for day to day use
27. 2020 – Sundance Leather with variety of options and price advantage. Leather which changes color under the sun.
28. 2020 – Initiated the marketing of Faux Leathers from India with a explanatory video about the Company and Products which was a revelation in the market.
28. 2021 – Initiating Chrome free Belt Leathers in thickness 3.4+ from Buffalo.
30. 2021 – Great feeling in creating Dip dyeing and hand finishing technology in innovative ways to achieve quick results with affordable prices.
31. 2022 – Chrome free leathers in splits for belt, first time in the Leather History.
32. 2022 – Introducing recycled leathers along with Pet bottles with a German Brand.
33. 2022 – Bringing in economical way of chrome free tanning with Italian technology and chemicals.
Passion driven journey continues…..
Credits to Tejoomals’, P. Sivakami, IAS, Sampanghi Family, Erode Wetblue Tanners, TATA International (Leather Division) Nepal Tanneries, Dorsa – Iran, Motherhouse – Japan, Rossetti – Italy, Artorn – Bangkok, Greentech – Vietnam, Cellini – Australia, G-Full Corporation – HK & China, Vishnu Chemicals, Paramount Leather – HK & China, MFG – Russia, Mr. Tarun Oberoi, THREESIXTY, Cole Asia, Sukhi & Bubbles, BATA- Hosur, Zaibunco, Superhouse, Fenice, Smit & Zoon, Finikem, Dermacolor, Gulbarto, C&E and many more.
Thankful to all my colleagues who are with me for nearly 40 years and everyone who supported me all through.
Thankful to all those who have taken some of my good points in to their life and feeling connected with me.
My Parents, Sisters, BIL’s, Brother, Wife & Daughter who have blessed and supported me all through and still continuing.
Life is all about what your learn, unlearn, educate others, support others, re-inventing yourself and leave a legacy.
You will always be remembered for what you have given rather than what you have earned. Giving knowledge, Moral support, guidance and strong shoulder during tough times, will ever be remembered. Happy to have been able to change many people’s life for good.