Magazine
The leather goods industry is divided into two sections-brands and established retailers on one side, and importers on the other. Owing to its significant export earnings, employment potential, and growth, the leather industry plays a significant role in the Indian economy. Seeing the scope of growth in the market, the Central government, for its part has taken several policy measures to support the leather industry. Striving to de-skill the production of leather and make the process more systematic and scientific, Rajda Industries & Exports has become a premium brand manufacturer in the last four decades.
The journey began around 45 years ago when Paresh Rajda's cousin asked him, if he knew of any industrial gloves manufacturers in Kolkata. Rather than looking for someone, Rajda decided to start his own business. This laid the foundation for the company's industrial division, which has become a formidable player in the production of industrial gloves. “Today, our strength is that while leather is traditionally a hand-crafted product with techniques, tools, and machines, we are trying to deskill the production and trying to make the production process more systematic and scientific. That is why we say our products are engineered luxury”, shares Gautam Rajda, Owner, Rajda Industries & Exports.
Prototyping while Maintaining High-quality
Coming up to the customers’ expectations of
standard quality, prompt delivery, and a competitive price, Rajda has transitioned from a batch production system to a complete line-based production system in the last three years. The quality process begins with prototyping, and as the prototypes are created, they are checked to see if there are any potential production pain points, which are then communicated to the customer.
The prototyping and production teams meet in detail to hand over the product once they receive a production order from the customer. Every process has an online inspection procedure, all problems are also documented, and if they notice a particular process has a higher number of issues, they investigate so that it can be improved. They keep the process as tight as possible, so final inspection stage rejections are usually around 2-3 percent at most and the company’s goal is to get to zero defects.
While 90 percent of companies still see leather goods production as a handcrafted product, Rajda Industries & Exports see it as a machine-made product. They examine a product to see if it can be improved, and this allows them to provide standard products while also increasing its efficiency. “Before the shipment leaves, there is an AQL (Acceptance Quality Limit) inspection done and this report is normally shared with our customers”, shares Gautam.
Rajda has transitioned from a batch production system to a complete line-based production system in the last three years
The Rajda Group is involved in a variety of businesses including plastics and chemical distribution, leather goods manufacturing, and 3D printing. The team consists of two industrial engineers who establish manufacturing processes. To support prototyping, making moulds, and other jigs for production, they use 3D printing techniques from their sister company.
Until the pandemic, Rajda Industries & Exports had registered growth at a rate of 10 percent or more per year, which has been higher than the previous 15 years. Post pandemic, the firm has bounced back stronger and it expects to recover this year after a 40 percent drop in turnover. In the coming months, Rajda plans to open a new unit for the fashion goods business as well. The ultimate goal is to make production as efficient as possible while maintaining a standard of quality that not only meets but exceeds their customers' expectations.
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