Spinning Up A Top Yarn

When Chandra Shekhar Nopany Took Over His Grandfather’s Successful Textile Business, He Knew Something Even More Special Was Needed To Make It Shine Against The Thousands Of Others Competing In India. He Found That Something Special, And So Did The Company’s Employees.

- Wendy Kay

Having learned from the best, working alongside his grandfather for more than two decades, Chandra Shekhar Nopany was more than inspired when he took over the textile division of one of India’s largest multi-business conglomerates. He wanted change. Despite a rich and successful 85-year history, and belonging to the renowned KK Birla Group, Chandra Shekhar recognised room for improvement at Sutlej Textiles and Industries. All he had to do was make it happen.

The company’s roots date back to pre independent India, when Chandra Shekhar’s great-grandfather Dr GD Birla founded Sutlej Cotton Mills in 1934, in Okara, Punjab, which is now in Pakistan.

As the country fought for its independence and endured many years of upheaval, the composite textile mill continued to survive, until it was declared an enemy property by Pakistan. Sutlej then established spinning units at Bhawanimandi (Rajasthan), Kathua (Jammu and Kashmir) and Baddi (Himachal Pradesh).

Today, as Chair, Chandra Shekhar heads one of the largest integrated textile manufacturing companies in India, boasting a research and development department comprising about 70 people and a strong global client base in more than 60 countries throughout Europe, the US, South America and Africa.