THE MAN BEHIND PIONEER EMBROIDERIES LTD
Editor: How did you get started in business and move into the textile field?
Mr. Sekhani: We have a very old shop in Kolkata, established in 1840. I began working at a very young age in 1980, joining family business of garment accessories trading in Kolkata. At that time, we were purchasing and importing products from Bombay, Delhi & Abroad. As the business grew, I moved to Mumbai in 1987 and began working with embroidery fabrics, laces, and trimmings. I with my nephew Mr. Manak Baid, started a trading office in Chippi Chawl, Bombay, under the name of “JJ Sons,”. That marked the beginning of my independent journey in the textile industry, driven by a strong desire to build something of my own.
Editor: So How did you get the idea to set up your first Factory?
Mr. Sekhani: Initially, we rented schiffli embroidery machines in Ambernath and then expended at Dombivali in Maharastra. At that time, there were very few factories in the area., and Hakoba was one of the most well-known among them. We continued operating with rented machines for the next three to four years. As demand increased, we decided to set up our own manufacturing plant in 1992.
Editor: What made you think of entering the embroidery business?
Mr. Sekhani: During the late 1980s, I observed that embroidery fabrics and trimmings were becoming increasingly popular in the fashion industry. Most of the embroidery work at the time was coming from Bombay. I saw a significant gap in quality and technology and felt a strong urge to introduce something new to the market. We imported embroidery machinery. In 1992, from Switzerland and established a new company called Pioneer Embroideries Ltd, focused on high quality embroidery fabrics & laces. We further expanded our capacity by importing machines from other countries also. The machines technology evolved over time—from 10-yard to 15-yard, then 21-yard, and now the latest are 28-yard machines. To stay ahead, we upgraded our machinery in July 2023.
Editor: What is the history of “Pioneer Embroideries Ltd”?
Mr. Sekhani: I was driven by the desire to do something different and become a leader in the embroidery industry. At that time, very few people were engaged in embroidery in a formal industry setup or large scale, and I wanted to be the first to bring real change to the market. In 1992, we established our first embroidery manufacturing plant in Sarigam, Gujarat. In 2004, me and Mr. Manak Baid amicably parted ways. Following that, Mr. Harsh Vadhan Bassi from Delhi joined the company as Managing Director. In 2007, we ventured into the yarn segment by starting the production of dope-dyed polyester yarn namely Special Polyester Filament Yarn (SPFY) at Kala Amb, Himachal Pradesh. Today, we are supported by an excellent and experienced leadership team, including: Mr. Saurabha Maheshwari – Executive Director (ED), Mr. Deepak Sipani – Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mr. D.N.N. Rao – CEO, SPFY Division, Mr. Sandeep Sharma – President, Embroidery and Laces Business, Mr. Kuntal Kumar Pandit – Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Mr. B.S. Khulbe – Marketing Head, SPFY Division. These professionals are highly experienced and have been long-standing contributors to our company’s growth and success.
Editor: How did your company grow during the initial phase?
Mr. Sekhani: In the beginning, it was very challenging. The machines were expensive and not easily accessible, and the market was not yet fully aware of this type of product. We had to invest time in educating our customers and gradually building their trust. In 1995, we established marketing offices across all the regions of India—Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai to service Western, Northern, Eastern and Southern regions respectively. This strategic expansion helped us grow our business significantly and introduce new technologies to a wider customer base.
Editor: Can you share some major milestones in Pioneer’s growth journey?
Mr. Sekhani: Yes, there have been many important milestones in our journey. We were the first listed company in the embroidery sector on the stock exchanges in 1992. In 1996, we set up a crochet lace braiding unit at Dadra Nagar Haveli, Silvassa, which was expanded more than tenfold by 1999. We started second embroidery factory in 1997 at Naroli, Silvasa, In 2001, we acquired the retail brand Hakoba with inhouse Embroidery factory at Borivali, Bombay. Hakoba known for its ready-to-stitch embroidered fabrics, salwar kurta dupatta and sarees. The brand quickly gained popularity and became a household name. As shared earlier we started SPFY division in Year 2007, initially with a capacity of 4500 TPA, we kept on increasing capacity on a regular basis. We used advanced German technology, giving us a significant edge in the market. Today, we export on a large scale to several international markets. We have also set up a green field embroidery manufacturing project in Dhule District, Maharashtra, in a 100-acre textile park approved by the Central government of India. We have installed the latest embroidery machines on 28.2 meter length, it helped us expand our production capabilities.
Editor: Pioneer is also known for dope-dyed yarn. When did you entered in this segment?
Mr. Sekhani: We began our greenfield yarn project in Kala-Amb, Himachal Pradesh, in 2007, with an initial capacity of 4,800 MTPA, producing eco friendly and sustainable yarn. We continued to expand the facility in response to growing demand—reaching 7,200 MTPA in 2009, 12,000 MTPA in 2011, and 18,000 MTPA by 2017. In 2023, we undertook another expansion, adding 8,000 MTPA in capacity making it 26,000 TPA.
Editor: Tell us more about how Hakoba grew under Pioneer’s leadership.?
Mr. Sekhani: Hakoba is a well-known and respected name in the embroidery industry at this time. We acquired Hakoba brand and factory in the year 2000 and it soon became the retail face of our company. Following the acquisition, we opened showrooms across India and actively participated in exhibitions nationwide to showcase our collections. We also launched outlets in premium retail locations to strengthen the brand’s presence. Through our retail outlets and regional teams service customers’ requirements. The brand is now synonymous with stylish, high-quality embroidered fabrics, laces, women wear men’s wear that are loved and trusted by our customers.
Editor: How did Pioneer handle so many verticals like yarn, embroidery, and retail together?
Mr. Sekhani: It was really challenging to manage different areas simultaneously. However, I was supported by a strong and dedicated team. Under the leadership of Mr. Harsh Vardhan Bassi, helped us achieve efficient operations. We continue to focus on innovation, product and development. We closely follow global trends and adapt quickly changing trends to stay ahead in the industry. 1200 plus colours across different types of yarns help us serve wider deeper needs of our customers. Our inhouse design team and very large library helps to delight our embroidery and bobbin laces (crochia lace) customers.
Editor: What were the key financial milestones of the company?
Mr. Sekhani: We crossed Rs. 2,000 million in turnover for the first time in 2012. Our yarn division alone surpassed this milestone by 2014. In 2015, we successfully resolved major debt issues. This financial restructuring gave us the strength and stability to grow once again, backed by a clean and healthy balance sheet.
Editor: Your company has done a lot of exports as well. How did that happen?
Mr. Sekhani: We began participating in international and domestic exhibitions and started sending product samples to the potential buyers. Gradually, we began receiving orders from various countries. Where our products were in high demand. We paid close attention to the preferences and trends in each market and tailored our collections to meet the specific needs of customers in different countries.
Editor: What is the main focus of Pioneer Embroideries Ltd. today?
Mr. Sekhani: Our main focus is now on dope-dyed polyester yarns, which are eco-friendly and sustainable. These yarns save water and reduce pollution. We are expanding our production capacity and working with global home furnishing and carpet brands. We have started servicing apparel industry.
Editor: What are your thoughts on sustainability in textiles?
Mr. Sekhani: Sustainability is the future, and we are fully committed to it. Today’s customers are increasingly conscious of environmental impact and prefer products that are safe, sustainable, and eco-friendly. Our yarns are also produced from recycled PET bottles. At Pioneer Embroideries Ltd., we believe in growing responsibly—with a strong focus on green, sustainable practices.
Editor: You have been in this industry for over 40 years. How do you see the future of India’s textile sector?
Mr. Sekhani: I see tremendous potential ahead. India has a strong foundation in raw materials, skilled labor, and evolving technology. Our domestic market is vast and continues to grow steadily. In addition, supportive government policies and improved infrastructure are creating a favorable environment for the textile industry. If we continue to focus on quality, innovation, and sustainability, India has the ability to emerge as a global leader in textiles.
Editor: What would you like to say to the young entrepreneurs of today?
Mr. Sekhani: My advice is simple—work with honesty, stay committed, and don’t focus solely on profits. Build strong, lasting relationships and always keep learning. Every business goes through ups and downs, but if you remain focused, positive, and dedicated, success will eventually follow.
Editor: Thank you for sharing your journey. Do you have any final message for our readers?
Mr. Sekhani: I would like to express my gratitude to your team and your readers for this opportunity. I firmly believe that India has a bright future in the textiles industry. By focusing on quality, technology, and training, we can unlock tremendous potential. We must grow together and make India a proud leader in the global textile industry.
Mr. Raj Kumar Sekhani’s story is a testament to the power of vision, hard work, and ethical leadership in driving change. Under his guidance, Pioneer Embroideries Ltd. has not only transformed the embroidery and lace industry in India but also established a strong global presence. His journey teaches us that with determination, persistent hard work, and a focus on innovation, it is possible to lead an entire industry into the future.
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