‘In 2 years, non-leather footwear industry to provide 2 lakh jobs’

CHENNAI: In the recently held conclave on leather and non-leather footwear industries, Kothari Industrial Corporation Ltd committed to invest Rs 2,000 crore in non-leather footwear industry.

The industry is also eyeing for a massive Rs 5,000 crore investment in the state by bringing in foreign players, who are leaders in non-leather footwear manufacturing.

In an exclusive interview to DT Next, Jinnah Rafiq, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Kothari Industrial Corporation Ltd, said that non-leather footwear is the future of footwear in the state and will provide employment to 2 lakh persons.

Tamil Nadu is traditionally known for its leather products and is the leader in the country. How the non-leather footwear industry has decided to invest in the state suddenly?

Globally speaking 86 per cent of the footwear produced is non-leather. China and more specifically Taiwan is the leader as still non-leather manufacturing industries across the world get the components from Taiwan. India has a huge scope for non-leather manufacturing industries as we have the youngest working population in the world. We are not just going to stop with manufacturing, but we have also planned to bring in components manufacturing units to Tamil Nadu so that we will use our own components and can also export our components.

Footwear is an employment intensive industry. We are already witnessing huge jobs in the leather industry in northern Tamil Nadu. How about employment in the non-leather footwear industry?

Non-leather footwear industry is also employment intensive. In the conclave, Chief Minister MK Stalin said that the goal of the non-leather footwear industry is to provide employment to 2 lakh persons and the industry will no doubt fulfill the dreams of the Chief Minister in just two years.

Traditional leather units has the burden of being called highly polluting industry. How about the non-leather one?

The non-leather footwear industry is an eco-friendly industry as we procure the raw materials and assemble the footwear. Unlike leather units, the non-leather footwear units does not require tanneries.

Since the non-leather footwear industry is relatively new, how is the state’s approach towards it?

There is no doubt that the state is highly cooperative as Industries Minister Thangam Thennarasu and officials from Guidance are extending full support. The recently launched policy for leather and non-leather footwear industry shows the commitment of the state.

Where does Kothari Industries plan to set up their footwear plant? What will be the components?

Kothari Industrial Corporation will set up its non-leather footwear plant in Perambalur district. The plant will be established in an area of 580 acres, out of which 280 acres will be utilised for footwear manufacturing and 300 acres for components manufacturing. Phoenix Accord Ltd will set up its manufacturing unit inside the plant and there will be around 10 components manufacturers inside the plant. We have also planned to set up training centres for non-leather footwear manufacturing inside the plant.