It’s easy to believe. From the moment you meet him, Sabu Jacob, the Indian born Chair
of Kitex Garments, comes across as warm-hearted, generous and sincere. In the fabrics
game, he reveals, there’s simply no other way to do business.
A man with vision and extraordinary vision brings The Kitex A unique brand and culture and
he succeeded providing quality products and design. He has been Managing Director of
Kitex Garments Ltd. since August 16, 2006 and has been its Chief Financial Officer since
January 25, 2016. Mr. Jacob serves as the Chairman of Kitex Garments Ltd. He has 25
years experience and previously served as an Executive Director of Kitex Ltd. He holds B.A.
Economics degree. He belongs to a family of entrepreneurs who have promoted many
industrial units for producing textiles, garment, vessels, spices, umbrellas, school bags etc.
Established in 1992 Kitex Garments Ltd is into 100% exports of cotton garments especially
infant wear. The company exports its products to US and Europeanmarkets. The vertically integrated manufacturing plant makes infant wear as well as fabrics
He shared the incredible insights with The Executives Magazine
Fashion is my passion. It’s an industry that’s always changing. The fabrications, designs and
styles that I am doing this year are completely different to the ones I did last year. We have to
work for the future, and that’s very interesting for me. It’s challenging.”
“Our customers and suppliers, we all know them personally,” he shares. “We know their
families; we’re very close to them. And they know us. We look after each other. It’s a very close-
knit industry. Even though there are thousands and thousands of players.”
when it comes to employees We give them perks like free doctors and a good salary.
They’re very happy with us, and we are also very happy with them. I believe that taking
care of our staff only makes us stronger.” In return, employees work hard to look after
the business. “Because we have a good management system and a well-established supply chain
managed by highly skilled professionals, we are able to reduce delivery times for our
clients,”
My efficiency is much higher than anybody else in any part of the world. For example,
the world average maximum efficiency in this industry is not more than 50 or 55 per cent
– my efficiency is 75 per cent on average.
“People think invest less, make more money. My psychology is different – invest more
and get more efficiency and hence make more money.”
It’s a philosophy that appears to have borne fruit for Kitex, which was founded in 1995.
Sabu still recalls the challenges of starting out and struggling to get customers to visit
the factory, prompting him to reassess and redirect the business into the babywear
market. As well as the investment in infrastructure, including air conditioning throughout the
factory, Sabu stresses that Kitex has put a great deal of money into technology,
chemistry and the welfare of its workers – a matter that has recently come under
scrutiny.
“When you create an air-conditioned, comfortable ambience much like a university
campus, your workers are mentally and physically much better – they’re much stronger
and they’re not tired,” he says. “Then, I’m giving them four meals every day, non-
vegetarian, unlimited food free of charge. It’s not mandatory to give them food, but I’m
giving food four times a day, every day, and 100 per cent free.”
Kitex also provides workers with dormitory-style accommodation, although Sabu insists
there is no obligation for them to stay there and that there are alternatives available. It is
also now offering medical cover to its workers, he adds.