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| Muhammed Kunji Haji.C.P, Kohinoor Mattresses, Kannur |
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Starting from zero and building an industrial enterprise now worth more than Rs.10 crores, Muhammed Kunji Haji.C.P demonstrates how hard work and sincerity triumph in the end. As a young child of 2nd standard he had to drop out of school due to financial constraints. Later he worked as a labourer and beedi worker from 8 years of age, before venturing into business with the strong desire to overcome his predicament.
He started as a direct marketer of coffee power and other packaged condiments in 1955, when people had the general feeling that such stuff was inferior. At that time he had 20 employees in his Mankavu unit in Kozhikode, where the grinding unit was situated. From coffee market he entered the toffee market as a producer but later, in 1975, he realised the potential of plywood.
Starting a plywood factory in 1979, he expanded the same in 1984. His boiling water-proof ‘Waterman’ plywood that would even lend itself to carving, had much demand at that time.
Again, as the plywood industry too showed signs of dullness, he expanded into the mattress business. Now daily 200 mattresses are produced at their Kakkad unit. In 2000-2001, his Kohinoor mattress won the award for productivity and quality from the Kerala Productivity Council. The other honours that have come his way include merit certificate of National Confederation of Small Industries, Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini award of National Unity conference etc.
“To nurture a business, money alone is not sufficient. One should study the market and then come out with best products. Besides, one has to maintain 100% honesty,” these are the words of wisdom by the 69-year-old Haji.
He has the unpleasant experience of facing strikes by workers on several occasions. According to him, the attitude of workers also needs to change.
His wife is Nafeesa. His daughters are Saibanoosa, Ramla and Safoora. His son Hashim now manages the mattress business.
Courtesy: K.Vinod Chandran, Mathrubhumi, January 17, 2005
Contributed by: Administrator
