Vijaypat Singhania's Raymond empire is so big, it all started with sewing army uniforms
Under Vijaypat Singhania's leadership, Raymond Group began with military uniforms and established itself in premium suiting and shirting. Today, it has grown into a multi-billion dollar business empire with a strong presence in India and abroad.
Vijaypat Singhania, who gave nationwide recognition to brands like Raymond, passed away at the age of 87. His last rites will be performed today at 3 pm at Chandanwadi crematorium in Mumbai.
His son Gautam Singhania gave the information about Vijaypat's death on social media. Vijaypat Singhania's name is counted among the renowned industrialists of India, who gave global recognition to Raymond Group from a small textile business.
Raymond started in 1925 as a simple textile mill, where woolen uniforms were mainly manufactured for the army. Vijaypat took over the command of the company in 1980 and gave it the identity of a modern industrial group.
The journey from army uniform to branded suits
Raymond established its identity in its early years by manufacturing uniforms for the Indian Army. Gradually, the company, recognizing the needs of the general consumer, entered the ready-made garments and premium suiting and shirting segments.
Popular campaigns like "The Complete Man" made Raymond popular across all sections of the country. Raymond opened its first retail showroom in India in Mumbai in 1958.
A huge business empire
Today, the Raymond Group is not limited to textiles. The company has also expanded into sectors such as real estate, engineering, and FMCG. It has over 1,500 showrooms in 600 cities across the country, offering fabrics in over 20,000 colors and designs.
It also has a strong presence in international markets. The company employs approximately 6,500 people. Raymond is considered India's largest worsted fabric manufacturer and its fabric is exported to many countries.
Family disputes and changing times
However, this success was also accompanied by controversy. A property dispute between Vijaypat Singhania and his son, Gautam Singhania, made headlines. This tarnished the company's image, but had limited impact on business operations.
Heritage and identity
Vijaypat Singhania was not only a successful industrialist but also an aviation enthusiast and record-holding pilot. Under his leadership, Raymond carved a distinct niche in the Indian fashion industry.
Today, Raymond's empire is worth thousands of crores of rupees and it is considered one of India's most trusted brands. What began as a military uniform has now become a strong pillar in the global fashion and lifestyle industry.