The Beginnings

One’s choices are the decisive forces that pave the path for future. A journey of a thousand miles begins with one small step, but taking that step in the right decision is equally crucial. Suchita Oswal Jain did start her journey with one small step but a life-changing decision, of joining the family business – Vardhman Group, an institution nurtured by two generations of Oswal family.

With education from some of the prominent institutes of the world, including London Business School and INSEAD, Suchita was competent enough to start something of her own when she joined the Vardhman Group back in 1990. Though a beginner, she was already a leader. And as a true leader she knew her choices should be driven by passion and not compulsion.

Soon after joining the business, she started exploring uncharted territories and initiated the forward integration of Vardhman Group by spearheading the establishment of the fabrics division. She remained instrumental in setting up the manufacturing plant in Himachal Pradesh and developing the operational excellence, marketing strategies, and a supply chain suitable for a dynamic business. She fervently involved herself at every stage of business to stabilize it quickly and promptly deliver up to exacting standards.

Vardhman group was already well known as a pioneer in yarns segment, but she had her eyes set on a larger goal. As the business started flourishing, she recognised that there were many more heights to be reached, her ultimate goal being to establish Vardhman Textiles as a one-stop solution for textile industry.

Being upbeat with the times

Knowing the importance of keeping pace with evolving times, she emphasises on investing in product development and innovation. Adapting with agility and executing with excellence is an ingrained element at organization’s operations and technological upgrade augments the same. At present, she is focussed on the three pillars of growth, namely sustainability, digitalisation, and CSR.

Evolving with time is what leads to triumph in any endeavour. And understanding the need for sustainability in today’s scenario, Suchita is zealously working to lower down the company’s carbon footprint. This has led Vardhman Fabrics, Budhni to win two awards for Sustainability. Frost & Sullivan and TERI bestowed the company with the Challengers Award for Large Business, Process Sector as well as the Jury Special Mention Award for Water-saving Initiatives for its projects like India water partnership with GAP & cKinetics, and Women+Water.

Suchita emphasises continuous technological modification and with the idea to automate and digitalize, she is personally leading the process of digitalization across the Group. Her foresightedness could be well seen, when in the time of the COVID crisis Suchita took a step forward and propelled her garment company to venture into the manufacturing of PPE kit and face masks. 

She is the winner of the Outstanding Women Leadership Award conferred by the World Women Leadership Congress, AsiaOne’s Women Empowerment Entrepreneur Award 2019-20, Times of India Power Icons 2021, Economic Times Leaders of Change 2021, Outlook Movers & Shakers of Indian Business 2022 and ET Inspiring Women Leaders 2022. Other than that, she has been listed among inspiring women business leaders by prominent magazines including Femina, Fortune and Forbes, and has been featured on the cover pages. Her interviews have been covered extensively in TOI, ET Panache, Business Today, Fortune, Fiber2Fashion, Vogue, Entrepreneur magazine etc. Besides, for the social welfare (CSR) initiatives, she has been honoured with India CSR Leadership Award 2021.

Suchita is also a member of the National Executive Committee, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry; Young Presidents’ Organization; Confederation of Indian Industry and International Textile Manufacturers Federation.

Socially Responsive

Being a businesswoman of her stature, she devotes a large share of her attention to philanthropic activities. She emphasizes on providing quality education to all. And working towards this initiative, the group under Vardhman School Development Program, has provided several government schools with classroom blocks and basic amenities like washroom complexes, water coolers, student’s desks etc.

An advocate of women’s rights, she has also introduced various projects working towards empowerment of women. One of the prominent initiatives is Project Nandini, wherein young girls are educated about menstrual health and hygiene besides providing them with affordable sanitary napkins and ensuring safe disposal.

Determined to excel – The Current Scenario

Vardhman ranks among the top textile manufacturers globally owing to the product quality, wide product basket, continuous thrust on innovation and customer satisfaction. Determined to meet commitment, the largest vertically integrated textile company of India, in Suchita’s guidance, has achieved several milestones.

The billion dollar organization is country’s largest textile conglomerate engaged in manufacturing of yarns, fabric, threads, fiber and garments; offering an unparalleled range and customizability of products to the customers. With the largest spindle count of 1.2 million, Vardhman is a leader in yarn manufacturing.

Exporting to over 75 countries and catering to a slew of international brands and retailers including GAP, Esprit, Marks & Spencer, Uniqlo, Target, and Kohl’s, the Group also has the largest fabric processing capacity in the country. Besides 18 state-of-the art manufacturing facilities, employing over 27,500 people, with international offices at two locations, Vardhman is blending global accessibility and local connectivity to deliver customer delight for 55 years.

Suchita Oswal Jain, leading as the Vice-Chairman and Joint Managing Director, is a key driving force behind Vardhman Textiles. She is playing an instrumental role in formulating the group strategy, sustainability and CSR initiatives, governance policies, corporate services, new projects like digitalization, along with expansion plans. She has always worked on the lines of innovation and development. Her focus is on alleviating quality, widening the product line, bringing in technology & innovation, and penetrating the market further. An ambitions entrepreneur capable of taking tough leadership decisions, she is making Vardhman thrive in an industry so dynamic.