K.T. Thomas Managing Partner, Paragon Rubber Industries

KT. Thomas has been luckier than most. While others have had to spend sleepless nights trying to choose their profession, Thomas was literally born into it.

Kottayam in Kerala, or the land of rubber as it is popularly known, is also the city from where Thomas did his schooling and graduation. Thus, it comes as no surprise that he chose to be associated with rubber throughout his life.

Thomas is today managing partner of Paragon Rubber Industries, which is the largest rubber footwear manufacturer in India. He has also been associated with the All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA, a non-profit body, dedicated to promoting the interest, growth and development of the Indian rubber industry) for the past 15 years in various capacities.

Thomas’s affair with rubber started quite early. Paragon came into being in 1974, the year he completed his graduation and plunged into the thick of things. Says he, “Right from the start, I have been thoroughly involved in every stage of the business. In college, I learnt about commerce as a subject as I was doing my BCom. Some of that has helped me in my present endeavour. For example, my knowledge of accounts, the different aspects of trade like export-import regulations and the various legal aspects have helped me gain a firm grasp on the business.”

Again, Thomas was more fortunate than most. He found inspiration in his own home. When he set up his business, he had his father’s experience to draw upon. Says he, “My father started trading in raw rubber way back in 1958. In 1974, together with my brothers and cousins, I started Paragon Industries in a very small way.”

Despite all the combined experience, Thomas never had it particularly easy. Initially, they went through trying times stabilising the organisation and then planning its growth. However, being made of sterner stuff, Thomas never gave up. “We decided to concentrate on quality and realised that we would be able to enjoy customer confidence only if we provided quality products. And till today, our focus remains on quality consciousness,” asserts Thomas. What’s left unsaid is that he also believes in teamwork.

Thomas took one step at a time. “We wanted to enter new territories with our products and expand the market. We started off with one unit in Kerala. After a few years, we opened our first unit in Bangalore and then a second unit sometime later. Now, we have a presence in Hyderabad as well,” says he. As is evident, the expansion has been a systematic process and the company has gone from strength to strength.

Did Thomas always know that he would strike it big? “Like any other student, I had normal ambitions of doing something in life. And though I did not know what course my life would take, I was always hopeful and always thought positively. Most importantly, I always had faith in my abilities,” says he.

One would, however, be mistaken in assuming that Thomas has only been engrossed in furthering his empire. He has also been actively involved in AIRIA’s activities to promote the cause of rubber. He joined the association as an ordinary member and went on to hold various positions in the southern region and was regional chairman for three years. He was also a member of the managing committee and the editor of Rubber India, the in-house magazine of AIRIA. From 2003 to 2006, he was member of the Rubber Board representing the non-tyre sector and was also elected its president for 2006-07.

So what has been the mantra for his success? Simple, he laughs. “I believe in two things — hard work and quality. If you work hard enough, you can succeed no matter what the obstacles. Also, you have to provide quality, whether it is to your customers, stakeholders, employees or your partners. Hence, I always emphasise quality, be it at Paragon Industries or at the All India Rubber Industries Association.”

And apart from watching movies, Thomas never takes a break. “Business magazines help me unwind as well as keep me abreast of the happenings around me,” he says. Thinking of work even when he’s relaxing — that’s K.T. Thomas for you.

 

Based on a conversation with Shibani Chattopadhyay in Calcutta