Abros steps up in footwear, Ledure shines in lighting, other top stories of the week
This week, SMBStory covered Indian brands that are making their mark with innovative Made-in-India products and redefining their sectors.
The Make in India initiative was launched by the Government of India in 2014 with the goal of making India a global manufacturing hub. The initiative has been successful in attracting foreign investment and improving the ease of doing business in India.
It also encouraged entrepreneurs and manufacturing firms to strengthen local supply chain. The initiative is expected to continue to boost manufacturing in India in the coming years.
Abros
Pradeep Sharma and his brothers, who came from a background of successful soles manufacturing, recognized the lack of innovation in many Indian footwear brands. They aimed to create a business that could surpass international competitors.
After two and a half years of effort, their company, Abros Sports International Pvt Ltd, has sold 6 million pairs of shoes in FY23. Competing with brands like Campus and Relaxo in a market valued at $15.22 billion in 2022, aims to make a global impact with innovative Indian-made footwear.
Abros made its pricing suited for the mass market, striking a balance with the quality of the products. Its range of sports shoes starts at Rs 699 and goes up to Rs 3299, adhering to the norms set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
“What sets Abros apart is not just our swift rise but also our commitment to quality and 'Made in India' products,” says Pradeep. At the moment Abros has a lineup of 1500 Stock Keeping Units (SKUs), all produced within the country.
The company consistently enriches its portfolio with new products every month. It works on improving the existing lineup and innovates to create fresh offerings. The collection includes everything from sports shoes to clogs for people of all ages and genders.
Ledure Lightings
Ledure Lightings Ltd., a Delhi-based lighting solutions provider, capitalised on the rising demand for energy-efficient LED lights in India. Previously an OEM for Havells and Surya Roshni, the companylaunched its own brand in 2015 to establish a unique presence in the market.
Beginning in a 2000-square-foot space with 10 employees, Ledure's operations expanded to a 60,000-square-foot facility and several depots across cities like Kolkata, Jaipur, and Patna.
With a monthly manufacturing capacity of 1.5 million units, the company employs over 500 people and serves residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
In FY20, Ledure generated Rs 60 crore in revenue, experiencing 70% YoY growth in FY22 and approximately 60% YoY growth in FY23, reaching a revenue of Rs 162 crore. The company aims to surpass Rs 250 crore in revenue in the current financial year.
is planning to introduce an innovative product line in the coming financial year—LED lights designed to purify the air.
“We are not competing with any air purifier brand. Our aim is to create a product with hybrid functionality. It not only caters to lighting needs but also addresses air quality concerns in indoor spaces,” says Umang. The product aims to eliminate particulate matter (PM 2.5) and other potentially harmful microorganisms from the air, resulting in a dual-purpose solution.
Other top picks of the week
VastraApp
, a SaaS-based mobile app founded by Vikash Rajpurohit, automates the backend sourcing processes and replaces manual record books for textile manufacturers.
Launched in 2018 and based in Ahmedabad, VastraApp allows apparel manufacturers to streamline various aspects of their supply chain, including maintaining design catalogues, sales orders, purchase records, production job slips, packaging, and dispatch.
The app's mobile-first approach facilitates easy communication through text, audio, and photo notes. Additionally, VastraApp offers intelligent reminders and analytics, helping manufacturers anticipate orders based on historical data.
With an initial investment of Rs 5 crore, the company has garnered over 3,000 clients in Gujarat and achieved a revenue of Rs 2 crore by the end of FY23. As it continues to grow, VastraApp is expanding its presence to markets such as Maharashtra, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab.
Edited by Akanksha Sarma