Suchita Oswal Jain, Vice Chairman and Joint Managing Director of Indian textile conglomerate Vardhman Textiles, is an inspiration in many ways. An ardent champion of women’s empowerment, she also practices what she preaches- more than over 35% of Vardhman’s workforce is made up of women. She is ranked 52nd in the Kotak Private Banking Hurun…
What motivated you to join the family business at such a young age? How did the family respond?
Passion is the word to describe what I feel for Vardhman. I’ve always wanted to be in textiles, but not because it was an obvious choice. I’ve been fascinated with colours and textures since I was a child. Deep down, I always wanted to create and do something creative. My family welcomed my decision and my father supported me in particular. At that time, there were even fewer women in leadership roles or joining family businesses. However, I wanted to emerge as a strong business leader, regardless of gender. My goals were set and laid clearly in front of my eyes.
What are some of the most memorable milestones you have crossed personally?
I started as an Executive Director, streamlining processes while working with different departments. I was responsible for the establishment of the first fabric manufacturing unit, thereby initiating the forward integration of the Group. It was a big milestone because we had to create a new entity from scratch, from acquiring machinery to devising marketing strategies. We began with greige fabrics and gradually added dyeing, processing, and printing lines. I also centralized the marketing team and established design and technology cells during the period. Developments are going on even now. For instance, we recently established a fully automated warehouse in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh with a capacity of 5600 tonnes and a 24-meter tall central sampling unit where samples are organized and kept ready for customers’ scrutiny. Another major plant is ReNova which is a one-of-a-kind fibre recycling unit of Vardhman Textiles. My role and responsibilities have also expanded significantly over these years. Nowadays, I am involved in group strategy, corporate services, CSR initiatives, governance policies, news projects, and expansions besides digitalization & sustainability initiatives.
What is the group’s outlook on sustainability?
Sustainability is an important element of our corporate philosophy. Our unit in Budhni, Madhya Pradesh, has been selected as a model factory to develop energy conservation guidelines for the Indian textile industry as per an MoU signed between the governments of India and Japan. We are very serious about water conservation and social responsibility. For our sustainability endeavours Frost & Sullivan & TERI has conferred us with two awards – Challengers Award for Large Business Process Sector and Jury Special mention award for water conservation initiatives. Our fibre recycling plant utilizes pre-consumer textile waste as raw material. We have a dedicated green product portfolio, and can provide traceability to the farm and otherwise as well, we create our products with sustainability in mind.
You have been an ardent advocate for gender parity and the empowerment of women. How is it reflected in your organization?
Women are generally underrepresented in positions of power and influence, especially in leadership roles. This inequality is often the result of unconscious bias on the part of employers who are more likely to hire men than women. It also stems from societal norms which make it harder for women to balance work and family responsibilities. At Vardhman, over 35% of the workforce is made up of women. Our company was the first to request and obtain permission from the Government of Punjab for allowing women to work night shifts. We ensured that only women who lived on-site could work these shifts, and we further ensured that they were safe by establishing a security detail. Today, more than 13 % of women work comfortably on the company’s night shift. In the past years, thousands of women from rural backgrounds have joined the workforce and are leading empowered new lives.
Did the woven fabrics division become a turning point for the group?
Yes, the forward integration of Vardhman Textiles began with fabric division. It was through this move that we eventually established Vardhman – the leader of yarns, as the country’s largest vertically integrated textile manufacturer.
What specific goal have you weaved in to grow the success of Vardhman Group in the coming years?
Vardhman Textiles is reaching its 60th-year milestone. Our long-term vision is to grow our business manifold and export to even more countries. The most important mission is to be an integrated supplier of yarns and fabrics. To achieve this, we have increased our capacity, product range, category and mix while working on our technology, quality, innovation and product development. The primary goal has been to become a one-stop shop for the industry. Our second priority is product development and innovation. We are continuously investing in technology and automation and improving cost-effectiveness. In addition to product development, we are working on strengthening the IT framework too.
How has the company’s commitment to CSR evolved over the years?
As a responsible corporate citizen, Vardhman emphasizes constructive contribution to society. With a clear orientation toward the goal of sustainable development, we strive to bring a positive and lasting impact on the lives of people. To improve the quality of life for marginalised sections, we are continually working to improve the infrastructure of schools and hospitals in the vicinity of our manufacturing units. Our focus areas include education, healthcare and rural development. During the pandemic, we manufactured PPE kits and masks for the local administration and hospitals, and oxygen was supplied from our steel unit. We started Vardhman School Development Program to help underprivileged children receive an education which has benefitted over 65 Government schools & 40 Anganwadis. Our MHM awareness project Nandini covers over 15,000 adolescent girls who are also provided with affordable sanitary napkins through vending machines installed at select locations along with incinerators for safe disposal. To make quality healthcare accessible to all, we provide grants, medical equipment etc. to hospitals where people from far & near come for treatment. Besides we organize medical camps. For rural development, we have a project Pragati as well as installation of solar street lights, drinking water & sanitation facility etc. are provided in areas where there’s a need.
What are your top 3 pieces of advice for other women leaders in the corporate from India?
First of all, there’s only one scale for commitment: 100%. When you’re committed to a goal, limitations become possibilities. Moreover, credibility and reliability never go out of style. My second piece of advice is to follow the Principle of the 360-degree view. When we look at a map, it’s easy to become fixated on our destination and lose sight of the bigger picture. By visualizing our goals from every angle, we can make better decisions and move forward more easily. Last but not the least, my third piece of advice is to remember that your journey is unique. You may encounter challenges along the way, but you should devise your solutions rather than follow someone else’s formula.
Apart from work, what keeps you busy?
I preferably spend time with my family or do meditation and yoga or go out to enjoy nature’s beauty. Besides I love listening to audiobooks while on the go.
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