Kapsons Worldwide & Dohr India
The apparel industry in India is a significant contributor to the country’s economy, accounting for a substantial share of its exports. The sector has undergone significant growth in recent years, driven by factors such as increasing disposable income, changing fashion trends, and a growing middle class.
Emerging as a prominent player in the industry is Kapsons Worldwide, an export house with a rich legacy spanning over 40 years in the manufacturing and export business.
The group traces its roots back to the early 1960s when Mr L.N. Kapoor founded a trading firm in Agra that laid the foundation of its present-day success. Initially, they dealt with leather shoes and garments before transitioning to apparel.
Established in 2005, Kapsons Worldwide group boasts an annual turnover of over US $7 million and continues to expand its global presence under the leadership of Mr Sudheer Kapoor and with the support of Mr P.K. Bharadwaj. While originally based out of Delhi, the business has since moved to Noida.
With Sidhant Kapoor at the helm of business development, the export revenues of the company have soared to new heights, and the company has successfully ventured into new international markets such as Scandinavia, Turkey, and Japan, among others.
Pranav Kapoor, with a vision of contributing to the growth of the Indian market, has ventured into the online retailing space with the launch of Dohr India - a modern-ethnic clothing brand that embodies elegance and sophistication.
Within it’s first year of inception, Dohr India has achieved various milestones in terms of growth & established a remarkable brand presence by fulfilling more than 2000 orders and crossing a revenue of 1 crore.
With a growing follower base & online presence, celebrities including Alia Bhatt, Jahnvi Kapoor, Rakul Preet Singh have been spotted adorning Dohr India’s redefining prêt collection.
At present, Kapsons Group employs over 500 workers and is committed to providing them with a safe and conducive working environment that promotes their well-being and growth as a part of its corporate social responsibilities.
The company also ensures the timely delivery of high-quality products to its global customers, which has been a key factor in its success.
The group’s state-of-the-art infrastructure and latest machinery enable it to maintain a high standard of production quality while meeting the demands of the industry. The company’s expanding production capacity is also a testament to its growth-oriented approach and long-term vision.
In its pursuit of excellence, Kapsons Worldwide aims to establish itself as one of the leading apparel export houses in India in the coming decade.
The team at Kapsons Worldwide and Kapsons Apparels India private limited group believes in the simple concept that customer satisfaction leads to customer retention and expansion.
As the company continues to expand its global footprint, it remains committed to its core values and the principles that have guided it since its inception.
Sidhant Kapoor hails from Delhi, India. Although born in Agra, he moved to Delhi in 1995. He completed his schooling at Delhi Public School RK Puram.
His academic excellence earned him the prestigious role of the head boy of his class 12th in 2009, a notable achievement for a DPSite, especially for DPS RK Puram, as mentioned by Sidhant.
He specialised in commerce with a focus on mathematics, and during his board exams, he earned the distinction of being the all-India topper in business studies, a feat that earned him a certificate of distinction from the Central Board of Secondary Education. Sidhant was among the top 0.01% of students who achieved this score in business studies.
Sidhant continued his academic journey, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce Honors degree from Shahid Bhagat Singh College, Delhi University, in 2012.
He achieved a distinction grade (60% and above) in his undergraduate studies. He then went on to pursue a master’s degree in finance from Royal Holloway, University of London, one of the prestigious universities in the UK.
Post completion of his studies, Sidhant returned to India in 2013 and joined his father in his family’s garment export business, i.e., Kapsons Worldwide, and has since then been actively involved in the business development and expansion of the company.
With his expertise and vision, Sidhant has played a crucial role in taking the export revenues of the company to new heights and expanding its global presence by entering new international markets. His dedication and commitment towards the company have been instrumental in its success and growth.
Establishing a company as one of the leading players in an industry is not an easy feat. Even for Kapsons Worldwide, there were indeed several obstacles that they had to overcome.
It is their decades of experience in the industry that has allowed them to establish themselves as a reputable and reliable player in the global market.
Initially, when their factories were in Mayapuri, Delhi, they faced several challenges. Sidhant shares,
“One significant obstacle was the lack of union support which led to high labour costs, along with the ever-persistent electricity and pollution issues. These challenges made it difficult for us to compete with our competitors and offer better pricing to customers both in India and overseas. However, by relocating our factories to Noida, we managed to overcome the issues and save almost 40% of our costs and become more competitive in the market.”
Another challenge was acquiring customers, given the company’s newness in the garment export business and the lack of knowledge of the industry. To overcome this, Sidhant took the initiative to exhibit frequently, travel to meet potential customers, and set up online and offline meetings to grow the business.
These efforts proved successful, and the company is now in a more competitive position. Sidhant remains focused on sustaining this success and growing the business even further.
At Kapsons, their strategy has been to tap into regular and new markets that are not heavily saturated with Indian suppliers by offering better value pricing to customers and focusing on ethical ways of working.
Sidhant mentions that they are primarily focusing on markets in Europe, specifically the Scandinavian and Turkish markets. They have found these markets to be good paymasters and ethical in their way of working, which has helped them maintain good margins.
In contrast, they have not heavily worked with the US market due to its saturation with Indian suppliers, Chinese suppliers, and local production.
The apparel export industry is undergoing significant changes in response to evolving consumer preferences and advancements in technology. One of the most significant trends is that many businesses are shifting their focus towards India as they move away from other countries such as China and Bangladesh.
Another notable trend in the industry is the focus of many fashion brands on sustainability, increasing demand for sustainable fabrics, which are environmentally friendly, organic, and naturally made, leading to an increase in the production and export of eco-friendly clothing.
Many customers globally, such as the Inditex group, their Stradivarius, Massimo Dutti brands and even the Primark and H&M group from Sweden, all are moving towards sustainable production and are keen on knowing about the sustainable supply chain.
They want to ensure that the products they receive are procured ethically and do not harm the environment or the workers who produce them.
“We intend to adapt to these trends by offering sustainable products to customers when they require them. This move towards sustainability is not only beneficial for the environment but is also the future of the commerce industry worldwide.”
Sidhant
Since its inception, Kapsons Worldwide has witnessed steady growth and success. While there have been challenges along the way, the company has managed to overcome them and sustain its business operations.
One of the most significant milestones achieved by the company is its ability to adapt to the global market and thrive despite the challenging economic conditions.
They have also expanded their production facilities and ventured into new markets, establishing themselves as a reliable supplier of quality products.
The company’s unwavering commitment to quality, timely delivery, and employee well-being are some of the key factors that have contributed to its success thus far.
Success in business terms can be defined as the achievement of a company’s goals and objectives, which may include financial, operational, and strategic targets.
However, for Sidhant, it is the happiness and satisfaction of the people around him, including his employees and colleagues, that truly amounts to success. He shares,
“While financial success is certainly significant, it is not the primary measure of success for me. It is about creating value for stakeholders, including customers, employees, shareholders, and the wider community. Success for me is giving back and ensuring the well-being of everyone involved in the business.”
Sidhant believes in maintaining an open and approachable leadership style where he treats his employees as equals rather than creating a hierarchical distance between himself and his team. He ensures being present on the production floor and interacting with his team at all stages of the production process.
Sidhant encourages open communication and actively listens to his team’s concerns and ideas. He believes in providing good working conditions and treating his employees well.
This includes motivating them with encouraging words and maintaining a positive work environment where everyone is relaxed and comfortable. He is conscious of not burdening his team with an unnecessary workload and makes sure to keep things manageable and realistic.
By creating a supportive work culture and keeping his team engaged and motivated, Sidhant has been able to maintain a strong team that is happy and productive.
Looking ahead to the future of the company, Sidhant is quite ambitious with plans to expand globally and establish themselves as a well-known brand in the industry while also venturing into the domestic market. One way they plan to do this is through Dohr, a business started by Sidhant’s brother.
They also aim to tap into local customers, such as big retailers like Westside, Reliance Trends, and Pantaloons. To achieve this growth, they plan to expand their production facilities from two units to three by the end of this year and possibly four by the next year. They also aim to increase their revenue to $13-20 million within the next five years.
“In the near future, we are planning to open an office in the UK or somewhere in Europe, such as Sweden or Istanbul, to establish our presence in various markets. We aim to take the company to new heights by exploring new opportunities and avenues for growth and are considering opening physical stores in Delhi and other regions alongside our current online presence.”
Sidhant
Advising young entrepreneurs, Sidhant shares,
“As someone who has experience in the business world, my advice to someone who is just starting out would be to prioritise having the right intentions. Even if a certain business idea may not immediately yield profit, having the right intentions can ultimately lead to success.Remember, patience and determination are key. It is important not to give up when faced with challenges or setbacks. In my own experience, I faced struggles in my initial years, such as acquiring new customers and ensuring timely delivery with proper quality. However, I found that having patience, perseverance, and determination paid off in the end. So, keep pushing forward and stay focused on your goals.”
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