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May 7, 2004

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  RAVI PILLAI: PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT TO 10000 IN THE GULF
Ravi Pillai, al Hajri Corporation, Bahrain

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A string of failures in business preceded Ravi Pillai’s trip to Gulf to look for greener pastures.  It started while he was studying for Pre Degree in D.B.College, Sasthamkotta.  In order to supplement the pocket money, he ventured into ‘chitty’, collecting Rs.100 each at an interest of Rs.5.  Though the scale of business multiplied, bad debts soon wrote its epitaph. 

The next trial was at Chavara Industrial Area.  After purchasing the machinery for starting a paint factory, he soon dropped this idea.  Next, as part of his MBA project, he worked in FACT, and the friendship developed there made him don the role of a sub contractor at the firm.  This too did not click, and his next trials at Cochin Refineries and Velloor News Print factory met with the same fate.  After suffering a loss of Rs.5 lakhs, he decided to try his hand in Saudi Arabia.

Ravi Pillai, whose ambition, even as a student of the 10th standard was to become a businessman, started a construction company ‘Al Hajri Corporation’ at Al Cobber, Saudi Arabia with 50 employees in 1978.  Since then there has been no looking back for this native of Madappally, Chavara, Kollam, whose company now employs 10000 persons, 90% of whom are Malayalis and Tamilians. With a turnover of Rs.1800 crores, it is a leading company with presence in many Gulf countries. 

The turning point in his business career occurred when he met a business consultant, Swaminathan. What are the reasons for the success of his business?  Ravi Pillai has a ready answer: “punctuality, honesty and quality.  If these 3 are maintained, then offers will come naturally.”

Among his ventures back home is the 300-bed ‘Upasana’ Speciality Hospital at Kollam.   He has plans to upgrade the nursing school attached to this hospital into a nursing college in collaboration with a US institution and ensure that the nurses who graduate from here find jobs in the US.

His wife Geetha is a partner in his business efforts.  His children Ganesh and Arathy are students.

 

Courtesy: P.K.Surendran, Mathrubhumi, April 5, 2004

Contributed by: Administrator

 

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