ENTREPRENEUR SPEAK
Kitex: Leading the Way
Kitex Garments has established itself to be in the front line of the kids’ wear industry. Meera
Warrier charts the highs and lows of the company along with Sabu Jacob, Kitex’s Chairman
and Managing Director.
A second-generation entrepreneur, Sabu Jacob
is credited with placing Kitex Garments as the
world’s third largest garment manufacturer for
infants. In this interview, he speaks about his
journey, learnings along the way, and vision for
the future.
CAN YOU SHARE SOME INSIGHTS INTO
YOUR JOURNEY SO FAR?
In his young days, my late father M C Jacob,
founder of the family’s Anna-Kitex Group, strongly
believed that the textile industry could generate
much more employment opportunities than
the aluminium or spices sectors; this eventually
resulted in the inception of Kitex. He was
constantly deliberating on ways to increase job
opportunities for the people of Kizhakkambalam.
I joined Kitex in 1973 as a cleaning boy. It was
sustained hard work. Gradually, I picked up the
ropes, and became involved in the construction of
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the textile factory and installation of looms therein.
Upon graduating with a major in economics, I
took charge of the shop floor, after which there
was no looking back. I went on to
become the Executive Director, and then, the
Managing Director.
My father says, “No university can teach you
these life skills, except experience.” I learned
everything through experience and from my
father. My regular travels to exhibitions to
understand new technologies in the garment
industry set in me the seed to establish a
garment unit. Unfortunately, the first five years
were plagued by continuous losses. The unit
initially aimed at manufacturing garments for all
segments but we soon saw a great business
opportunity in the infants’ garments area.
In 1992, Kitex Garments Ltd (KGL) became the
only listed entity of our group, which raised R4.72
crore in 1995, through an initial public offering