Kajaria Ceramics stands tall as one of India’s most renowned tile brands, boasting Bollywood superstars Ranveer Singh and Akshay Kumar as its ambassadors. While the colossal Rs 20,000 crore company commands attention, the story of the man who laid its foundation remains lesser-known.
Ashok Kajaria, the visionary behind Kajaria Ceramics, embarked on an extraordinary journey. Born in India, he ventured to the United States for his mechanical engineering degree. However, he defied convention by forsaking his studies and returning to India to join his family’s cast trading business.
During a sales expedition in the Gulf, Ashok encountered cast buyers who offered to escort him to Spain to explore floor tile manufacturing. Seizing the opportunity, Ashok ventured to Spain and visited numerous factories. Inspired by his discoveries, he forged a partnership with Spain’s leading company, Todagres, and established his own plant in India.
With Todagres’ technical expertise, Kajaria inaugurated its first plant in Sikandrabad (Uttar Pradesh) in 1988, boasting an annual capacity of 1 million square meters. To propel the brand forward, Ashok embraced marketing strategies, releasing the inaugural Kajaria advertisement in 1989. This bold move catapulted Kajaria Ceramics to market dominance within a mere two years.
Ashok Kajaria’s unwavering determination and entrepreneurial acumen, coupled with Todagres’ support, laid the groundwork for Kajaria Ceramics’ meteoric rise. Today, the brand stands as a testament to his vision and relentless pursuit of excellence in the tile industry.