Karsanbhai Patel
Encyclopedia
Dr. Karsanbhai Khodidas Patel (b. 1945, Ruppur, Mehsana
, Gujarat) is an India
n industrialist, founder of the Rs. 2500 crore (USD 500 mn) Nirma
group with major interests in detergents, soaps and cosmetics. In 2005 Forbes listed his net worth as USD $640 million. He has interests in education, and founded a leading engineering college, the Nirma Institute of Technology. He is sometimes referred to as Dr. K.K. Patel.
, of the Lalbhai group
and then at the Geology and Mining Department of the state Government. In 1969, Karsanbhai set up Nirma, (named after daughter Nirupama) selling detergent powder.
This was an after-office business - the one-man
company would bicycle through the neighbourhoods selling handmade detergent
packets door to door. At a price of Rs. 3 per kg, (one third the price of
leading detergents), it was an instant success.
After three years, Karsanbhai felt confident enough to quit his
job. Later he said, "The lack of any such precedent in my family made the venture fought with fear of failure. But farmers from North Gujarat are known for their spirit of enterprise."
Karsanbhai set up shop at small workshop in an Ahmedabad suburb. The Nirma brand
quickly established itself in Gujarat and
Maharashtra
.
The high quality and low price of the detergent made for great value.
Fuelled by housewife-friendly advertisement jingles, Nirma
revolutionized the detergent market, creating an entirely new segment in the economy for detergent powder. At the time, detergent and soap manufacture was
dominated by multinational corporations with products like Surf
by
Hindustan Lever, priced around Rs. 13 per kg. Within a decade,
Nirma was the largest selling detergent in India. Since production was labour intensive, Nirma also became a leading employer (employing 14,000 people 2004).
Made without some phosphates, Nirma was also somewhat more environment friendly.
After establishing its leadership in economy-priced detergents, Nirma entered the premium segment, launching toilet soaps Nirma bath and Nirma beauty soap, and premium detergent
Super Nirma detergent. Ventures into shampoo and toothpaste were not as successful, but the edible salt Shudh is doing well.
Nirma beauty soap is one of the leading toilet soaps, behind Lifebuoy and Lux.
Overall Nirma has a 20% market share in soap cakes and about 35% in detergents.
Nirma also has successful operations in neighbouring countries.
In 1995, Karsanbhai started the Nirma Institute of Technology in Ahmedabad, which grew into a leading engineering college in Gujarat. An Institute of Management followed, with the entire structure being consolidated under the Nirma University of Science and Technology in 2003, overseen by the Nirma Education and Research Foundation. The Nirmalabs
education project, aimed at training and incubating
entrepreneurs, was launched in 2004.
Karsanbhai's two sons and son-in-law are now at leading positions in the
Nirma organization: Rakesh K Patel (MBA) looks after procurement and logistics, Hiren K Patel, chemical engineer and MBA, heads marketing and finance, while Kalpesh Patel is in human resources and Healthcare Industry (Nirlife healthcare).
, recognizing his exceptional entrepreneurial and philanthropic accomplishments.
In 1990, the Federation of Association of Small Scale Industries of India
(FASII), New Delhi
, awarded him the 'Udyog Ratna' award. The Gujarat Chamber of Commerce felicitated him as an 'Outstanding Industrialist of the Eighties'. He has served twice as Chairman of the Development Council for Oils, Soaps and Detergents.
Dr. Karsanbhai Khodidas Patel has been conferred with Padma Shri Award for the year 2010.The award will be formally conferred by the President of India Mrs Pratibha Patil.
Mehsana
Mahesana is a city and municipality in Mehsana district, in the Indian state of Gujarat.-City and surrounding area:Situated near Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, Mehsana is one of the largest cities in North Gujarat; followed by Patan and Palanpur. A number of primary industries including dairy, oil...
, Gujarat) is an India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n industrialist, founder of the Rs. 2500 crore (USD 500 mn) Nirma
Nirma
Nirma is a group of companies based in the city of Ahmedabad in western India that manufactures products ranging from cosmetics, soaps, detergents, salt, soda ash, LAB and Injectibles. Karsanbhai Patel, a well known entrepreneur and philanthropist of Gujarat, started Nirma as a one-man operation....
group with major interests in detergents, soaps and cosmetics. In 2005 Forbes listed his net worth as USD $640 million. He has interests in education, and founded a leading engineering college, the Nirma Institute of Technology. He is sometimes referred to as Dr. K.K. Patel.
Life
Born into a farmer family from north Gujarat, Karsanbhai finished his B.Sc. in Chemistry at age 21 and worked as a lab technician, first in the New Cotton Mills, AhmedabadAhmedabad
Ahmedabad also known as Karnavati is the largest city in Gujarat, India. It is the former capital of Gujarat and is also the judicial capital of Gujarat as the Gujarat High Court has its seat in Ahmedabad...
, of the Lalbhai group
Kasturbhai Lalbhai
Kasturbhai Lalbhai was an Indian industrialist. He was widely perceived as a nationalist businessman akin to G. D. Birla.- Early life :...
and then at the Geology and Mining Department of the state Government. In 1969, Karsanbhai set up Nirma, (named after daughter Nirupama) selling detergent powder.
This was an after-office business - the one-man
company would bicycle through the neighbourhoods selling handmade detergent
packets door to door. At a price of Rs. 3 per kg, (one third the price of
leading detergents), it was an instant success.
After three years, Karsanbhai felt confident enough to quit his
job. Later he said, "The lack of any such precedent in my family made the venture fought with fear of failure. But farmers from North Gujarat are known for their spirit of enterprise."
Karsanbhai set up shop at small workshop in an Ahmedabad suburb. The Nirma brand
quickly established itself in Gujarat and
Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
.
The high quality and low price of the detergent made for great value.
Fuelled by housewife-friendly advertisement jingles, Nirma
revolutionized the detergent market, creating an entirely new segment in the economy for detergent powder. At the time, detergent and soap manufacture was
dominated by multinational corporations with products like Surf
Surf (detergent)
Surf is the name of a brand of laundry detergent made by Unilever and sold in the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa and many other countries. In the United States the Surf product line is owned by Sun Products...
by
Hindustan Lever, priced around Rs. 13 per kg. Within a decade,
Nirma was the largest selling detergent in India. Since production was labour intensive, Nirma also became a leading employer (employing 14,000 people 2004).
Made without some phosphates, Nirma was also somewhat more environment friendly.
After establishing its leadership in economy-priced detergents, Nirma entered the premium segment, launching toilet soaps Nirma bath and Nirma beauty soap, and premium detergent
Super Nirma detergent. Ventures into shampoo and toothpaste were not as successful, but the edible salt Shudh is doing well.
Nirma beauty soap is one of the leading toilet soaps, behind Lifebuoy and Lux.
Overall Nirma has a 20% market share in soap cakes and about 35% in detergents.
Nirma also has successful operations in neighbouring countries.
In 1995, Karsanbhai started the Nirma Institute of Technology in Ahmedabad, which grew into a leading engineering college in Gujarat. An Institute of Management followed, with the entire structure being consolidated under the Nirma University of Science and Technology in 2003, overseen by the Nirma Education and Research Foundation. The Nirmalabs
Nirmalabs
NirmaLabs is a high-tech incubator located at Nirma University campus in Ahmedabad, India.A not-for-profit Section 25 company, NirmaLabs was set up by Nirma Education and Research Foundation .NirmaLabs is a brain child of Dr...
education project, aimed at training and incubating
entrepreneurs, was launched in 2004.
Karsanbhai's two sons and son-in-law are now at leading positions in the
Nirma organization: Rakesh K Patel (MBA) looks after procurement and logistics, Hiren K Patel, chemical engineer and MBA, heads marketing and finance, while Kalpesh Patel is in human resources and Healthcare Industry (Nirlife healthcare).
Awards
In 2001, Karsanbhai was awarded an honorary doctorate by Florida Atlantic UniversityFlorida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University, also referred to as FAU or Florida Atlantic, is a public, coeducational, research university located in , United States. The university has six satellite campuses located in the Florida cities of Dania Beach, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Jupiter, Port St. Lucie, and in Fort...
, recognizing his exceptional entrepreneurial and philanthropic accomplishments.
In 1990, the Federation of Association of Small Scale Industries of India
(FASII), New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
, awarded him the 'Udyog Ratna' award. The Gujarat Chamber of Commerce felicitated him as an 'Outstanding Industrialist of the Eighties'. He has served twice as Chairman of the Development Council for Oils, Soaps and Detergents.
Dr. Karsanbhai Khodidas Patel has been conferred with Padma Shri Award for the year 2010.The award will be formally conferred by the President of India Mrs Pratibha Patil.