K.M Knitwear Private Limited and Jeyavishnu Clothing Private Limited, integral parts of the Rs.1000 crore K.M group of companies, have a rich history spanning over three decades. Founded by K.M. Subramanian, the Tirupur-based group, started with a humble setup of fewer than 50 sewing machines and a seed capital of 1 lakh only. Under his visionary leadership, the K.M Group has evolved into an environmentally friendly, fully integrated conglomerate, covering the entire spectrum from fiber to fashion. Today, it stands proudly among the top ten exporters in Tirupur, extending its reach to over 15 countries worldwide.
The pivotal turning point for KM Knitwear occurred in late 2000s when the company decided to vertically integrate into spinning, knitting and processing. Speaking exclusively to The Textile Magazine, Vishnuprabu, the group’s Joint Managing Director, emphasized this milestone as the catalyst that spurred the company’s trajectory towards global competitiveness.
With the export business showing potential, to compete in the world market, he planned to make K. M Knitwear group as a one stop solution for potential large fashion groups around the world, encompassing fibre to fabric to fashion. In 2003, he started the spinning division and in 2008 he started his own processing and printing division in the name of Jeyavishnu Clothing Private Limited. Since then, a corrugation box manufacturing unit, knitting and printing divisions and 10 garment manufacturing units were continuously set up to cater the needs of a growing business.
Wide product range
The company manufactures all types of knitted garments for infants, children’s, men’s and women’s wear, and nightwear to different brands in US, UK, France, Norway, South Africa, and other countries, globally with an annual export turnover of Rs.500 crore.
“We manufacture all types of hosiery yarns, process the fabric with value added services like embroidery and printing, as per customer specifications based on high-quality standards,” he added.
Manufacturing Infrastructure
The group’s manufacturing infrastructure is impressive boasting of a capacity of 6500 sewing machines, manufacturing of 40 lakh garments per month and 72000 spindles with a spinning capacity of over 60 tons/day. The group also has a fabric processing unit with a capacity of 50 tonnes per day, all over print (AOP) with a capacity 20 tons per day and placement printing with a capacity of 30,000 pcs per day.
“We are a vertically integrated company with a presence in all fiber-to-fashion elements, including spinning, knitting, dyeing, compacting, embroidery, printing, stitching and finishing, with supportive infrastructure that enables it to fulfil client-specific and complex requirements. The manufacturing facilities boast of highly technical machineries from across the globe to ensure that its products are at par with the best names in the industry in terms of quality and delivery”, Vishnuprabu said.
The group’s spinning division has a modern infrastructure and a fully automated production process to make error-free and the cleanest yarn possible at every time.
Noteworthy achievements include IGBC Platinum Certification for its Garment factory (unit 14) and the prestigious “Green Award 2018” from the Tamil Nadu Government for sustainable and environmentally friendly operations in its processing unit. The company holds an array of certifications, underscoring its commitment to quality, sustainability, and ethical practices.
Some of the group’s certifications include:-
- OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Certificate
- Sustainable Apparel Coalition – HIGG FEM certificate
- SEDEX Certificate
- GLOBAL ORGANIC TEXTILE STANDARD (GOTS) Certificate
- Global Recycled Standard (GRS) Certificate
- ISO 9001:2015 Certificate
- WRAP Certificate
- Organic Content Standard (OCS) Certificate
- BCI ( Better Cotton Initiative )
- ZDHC ( Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals)
- ISO 14001:2015 Certificate
- ISO 45001:2018 Certificate
- Nordic SWAN Ecolabel
Consistent growth
Highlighting the group’s recent investments he mentioned, “We have invested in the spinning division and the expansion of the capacity from 36000 spindles to 72000 spindles.”
“We have recently, installed a ground mount solar capacity of 10 MW and rooftop solar power capacity of 5 MW to produce more renewable energy to reduce the carbon footprint. Our windmill capacity is 15 MW and Solar Capacity 15 MW, totals a capacity of 30 MW .80% of our energy consumption is covered by renewable energy,” he said.
Vishnuprabu highlighted the company’s emphasis on innovation and technology, pointing to advanced systems such as auto-cutter with CAD, spreader and cutter, and LEAN Manufacturing Systems. Exports constitute a substantial 80% of the business, with key international customers including Primark, BBB, Warner, and Woolworth, alongside prominent domestic clients like Vanheusen, Damensh, and Technosports.
When queried on the advantages that the company offers as compared to its competitors he shared,” We are a vertically integrated company from yarn to finished goods, without outsourcing. This gives a big advantage of savings in the cost to the customers with assured quality and timely delivery as one-point solution.”
The group has successfully reached an annual turnover of Rs.1000 crore in FY 2023-24 and achieved a growth rate of 5% in turnover and profits.
The group employs more than 5000 personnel, out of which 75% are women employees, the group remains a socially responsible employer.
Green manufacturing
Elaborating on the company’s sustainability focus, he stated,” Our Company focuses on sustainability and started the compliance of ESG (Environmental Social Economic) from our units by improving resource productivity, co-efficiency, cost efficiency, customer satisfaction, brand reputation, environmental conditions etc. and ensuring better health conditions of the workers.”
“Our production process is made environmentally friendly meaning all materials and processes, inputs and outputs will be healthy and safe for people and the environment at all stages of the life cycle. Production and processing of sustainable textiles that come from renewable or recycled sources not only helps to reduce the negative impacts on the environment but also supports thousands of workers to earn fair and ensure proper working conditions.”
“The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has honoured Jeyavishnu Clothing Pvt Ltd with the award for excellence in Environmental Compliance 2022-23. Shri Piyush Goyal Ji, HMoT, HMoC&I and HMoF&PD congratulated,” he said.
Adopting automation
How is the company adopting Automation and Industry 4.0 in its manufacturing process? Responding to this question he mentioned, “We have started Industry 4.0 in our K.M Unit 14, through the Automatic Cutting Machine with programmed software, and by counting the garment pieces, we are using the PC-based Bar Code mechanism in every department to trace and save the timing in their workplace to get the best results. We are using the electronic-based display in the production areas to identify the daily status. In Spinning Units, we are using a fully automatic process, with less intervention of humans. The entire industry is monitored by a centralised ERP system.”
Aiming high
Finally, sharing his vision for future growth plans for 2025 and beyond, Vishnuprabu said,” We are projecting the turnover of K.M Group to cross Rs.1200 crore by FY 2026. We want to make an effective ESG strategy underpinned by strong management processes that are increasingly important to long-term business success.”
