Cochin : TS Kalyanaraman, Founder and Chairman of Kalyan Jewellers, has made it to the Forbes list of billionaires. He is in the 1562nd position with a net worth of $1 billion. He shares this honor along with three other billionaires in Kerala MA Yousuf Ali, Sunny Varkey and Ravi Pillai.
“I am delighted to be part of the Forbes list and dedicate the accomplishment to my loyal customers, employees and all well wishers. It’s an honour for Kalyan’s ethical business practices and path-breaking marketing efforts as well”, said the 67 year old T S Kalyanaraman being one among the 56 billionaires from India.
Mr. T. S. Kalyanaraman is the Chairman and Managing Director of Kalyan Jewellers. His journey as a businessman started at the age of 12 when he was taken to his family owned textile shop to learn the basics from his father. After managing Kalyan Textiles, he set up Kalyan Jewellers on his own in 1993 with an investment of Rs 75 lakh and in a span of less than two decades the company has grown to be India’s largest and most trusted jewellery retail company.
He got inducted into business by his father when he was a school going boy of 12. His father would encourage him to watch the business at the textile shop, after he was finished with his lessons and games. He would be assigned small tasks like counting cash and taking stock, which he enjoyed very much. Thus, he learnt the basics very early in life. Over a period of time, the textile business flourished. At some point, customers suggested that they needed a trusted jeweller and that is how this business was born, in 1993.
Kalyan Jewellers has its origins in Kalyan Textiles, a century old firm in Thrissur, engaged in textile retailing. Kalyan Jewellers are presently engaged in retailing of jewellery in gold, silver, platinum, diamond and pearls. The company was founded in 1993 and is based in, Thrissur, Kerala.
The company is investing around Rs 1300 crore on pan-India expansion. It is also expanding its network in the Gulf region next year.
The company operates 52 stores and has ambitious plans to open 80 more showrooms in the next three years. These are being planned in almost all Tier 1 & 2 cites, Middle East, GCC Countries, Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.
The company has also diversified into real estate development through a separate firm, Mr. T.S. Kalyanaraman was included in the 2013 Forbes List of Billionaires, and is ranked 52 in India and 1342 globally.
His sons, Rajesh Kalyanaraman and Ramesh Kalyanaraman, help in running the business. Rajesh manages Finance and Procurement. Younger brother Ramesh manages Sales and Marketing.
