Interview with Mr Prahalad R Agarwala

Until the mid-sixties, I would say, the Hosiery Industry in India was rather a complacent one. A number of organized sectors and localized brands kept churning out mediocre products. The consumers were less than satisfied but had no option readily available. However, a dormant desire for better innerwear remained there through the years.

Finally, in 1968, we, along with my brothers- Mr G P Agarwala and Mr K B Agarwala decided to delve deep into the possibilities and prospects of creating a brand that would revolutionize the hosiery market with quality that does not only sell but excels, and thus, Binod Hosiery saw the light of day. We not only had a mission to produce the best but a vision to bring care and comfort to the fatigued consumer.

Rupa initially started manufacturing innerwear and casual wear in Tirupur and Kolkata. It expanded its product line to include female underwear. Buoyed by the success in the East, we decided to take the brand national in 1975.

While the available products were upgraded to be more consumers friendly, soon the Company in 1985 under the brand name of Rupa launched a new line of products.

Within a span of decade from the formation of the company, as a major step forward, the company came out with a public issue in the financial year 1995-96 to become a public limited company.

Rupa has emerged as the country’s largest manufacturer of hosiery and innerwear brand, cornering nearly 10% to 12% of the Rs 5000 crore branded hosiery market. Even the Limca Book of Records has been conferring the honor to Rupa & Co as the country’s largest manufacturer of knitted undergarments for the last six years.

Rupa has today evolved as an umbrella brand for the firm and it has launched an array of successful sub-brands like Macroman, Frontline, Softline, Footline, Jon, Thermocot, Skywings, Bumchums, Interlock and Ribline. We have just launched a premium sub-brand AirVest and planning another one called Embrace, as well as a separate sub brand in the kids segment, Imoogi.

The growth in the turnover of the company, from Rs 60 Crores as at March, 1997 to Rs 536 crore plus, in more than a decade has been phenomenal and has transpired of course by the dedicated efforts of our promoters, management and all associated team with the company. Company has set its eye on annual growth rate of above 20%.