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N Kumar - A man with a mission
 Nishant
Kumar is the Group Leader, Textiles for Ikea
Corporation in India. The Ikea corporation
in India has a 160 strong workforce with 75 working
in the textiles division.
Mr Kumar's responsibility is to buy fabric worth
a whopping Rs 650/- Crores a year for its stores
across the world.
Poonabest spoke to Nishant and got an insight
on a variety of issues.
Q. Could you tell us something about your
background?
A. I am a resident of Pune since 1981. My father
is a Professor of Political Science in the
National Defence Academy and my Mother
is a Principal of a Central School. Both my
Sister and her Husband are Marketing Professionals
with MNCs in the city. I have done my MBA from
Symbiosis Institute of Business Management,
1995 batch.
Q. Was your first job with Ikea Corporation
or did you begin your career in another organisation?
A. My first job was with Bombay Dyeing. It was
campus recruitment. I worked there for four years.
When I left the company I was the export manager.
I was selling the companies textile products all
over the world.
Q. What exactly does your job entail?
A. I am the Group Leader for Textiles, involved
in the purchase of textiles for all home furnishings.
We purchase the textiles and then ship it to Ikeas
252 stores located mainly in Europe and America.
Q. After acquiring a Management Degree,
how did you opt for a career in Textiles?
A. I was looking for an interesting career option.
I believe that whatever career one chooses, one
should strive to reach the top. Basically aim
to excel in one's chosen field.
Q. How does Ikea perceive the Indian Market?
A. At this moment, Ikea Worldwide looks
at India as its biggest market. But I would like
to add that China, Pakistan, Turkey, Portugal
and Bangladesh are our biggest competitors. We
are looking to making India number one in Ikea's
scheme of things.
Ikea has been around in India for 11 years.
Q. A number of Textile Mills in India
have closed down or are in the process of doing
so. What in your view is the reason for the dismal
state of the Industry?
A. A number of Textile Mills have remained stagnant
and have not evolved with the times; one cannot
afford to continue using obsolete machinery, it
is imperative to replace the existing machinery
if one needs to survive and grow. Earlier Indian
mills had a problem with regard to the import
of machinery. After the opening up of the economy,
things have improved, and I feel that things are
now on the upswing.
Q. What is the future of the Indian textile
industry after the GATT accord comes in?
A. 2004 is the target year when textile quotas
are going out. The favourable status accorded
to exports is going out. The Indian companies
have to be geared towards it, as post 2004 export
quotas will be removed. GATT says anti-dumping
duties must be removed, the European Union says
they must be in place. The Indian textile industry
must remember that export benefits would be removed
after the treaty.
Q. To digress, what do you like to do in
your free time?
A. I swim a lot and like to watch cricket.
Q. Who is your favourite sportsman?
A Sachin Tendulkar is my favourite and what I
appreciate about him is his temperament.
Interview by: Rahul Surkund
Photo Courtesy: N Kumar
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