JR One Footwear Pvt Ltd, a joint venture between Phoenix Kothari Footwear Ltd and the Taiwan-based ShoeTown Group, is set to significantly bolster its presence in Tamil Nadu.
The company plans to establish two additional manufacturing facilities and leather component clusters in the state, reinforcing its commitment to the region.
This expansion aligns with their broader strategy to introduce more global footwear brands to the Indian market, according to a top official from the company.
The joint venture has already pledged a substantial investment of ₹5,000 crore (~ US$600 Million) for a new factory in Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu, dedicated to producing the popular Crocs footwear line.
This facility, spread over 50 acres and situated approximately 250 km south of Chennai, has already generated about 1,700 jobs, both direct and indirect, for the local community.
“We are expanding by entering two more districts in Tamil Nadu. We are bringing two additional international footwear brands to the region. The names of these districts will be announced shortly”
J Rafiq Ahmed, Chairman of Phoenix Kothari Footwear Ltd
The ShoeTown Group, a global leader in footwear manufacturing, has partnered exclusively with the Kothari Group in India.
“I am happy to work together with our brother Rafeeq in Tamil Nadu. This partnership is poised for growth, creating immense value for our future business in the region.”
Ron Chang, Chairman of ShoeTown Group
The expansion is part of a broader “China plus” strategy, aimed at diversifying the company’s manufacturing footprint beyond China.
Ron Chang acknowledged Tamil Nadu as a prime location due to its low labor costs and abundant manpower, making it the group’s top choice for expansion within India.
Ahmed elaborated on the company’s ambitious expansion strategy, emphasizing the importance of developing component clusters within India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, to reduce dependency on imports from countries like China and Vietnam.
“The establishment of component manufacturing in India, especially in Tamil Nadu, will revolutionize the industry, particularly in terms of job creation. The total investment in Perambalur, covering both component manufacturing and footwear production, is ₹5,000 crore (~ US$600 Million)”
J Rafiq Ahmed
In conclusion, with its strategic investments and expansion plans, JR One Footwear is set to become a major player in the global footwear industry, leveraging Tamil Nadu’s resources to drive growth and innovation. The company’s commitment to building a robust manufacturing and component ecosystem in the state will undoubtedly create significant employment opportunities and contribute to the region’s economic development.
