Spanning across traditions
Span is the epitome of ethnicity in apparels through excellence and innovation. The success story of this mega brand inspires one to ‘Think big, start small, build capabilities and move fast’
Seizing the Opportunities
In business, success comes to those who are able to communicate that they offer something new, fresh and innovative. This is exactly what Span Apparels did. “When we started our journey there was a big vacuum in the industry. There was not a single national brand which understood ethnic fashion. We also knew that women ethnic wear was irreplaceable from any girl or woman’s wardrobe. In fact, the size of this portion was increasing day by day, thanks to the comfort and its elegance. We took inspiration from this opportunity in front of us to become one of the most reputed ethnic fashion brands not only inIndiabut also the globe,” says Pankaj K Khandhar, Chairman of Span Apparels.
Innovating to excel
Clothing and apparel is a cutthroat industry, and for businesses to differentiate themselves from their direct competitors, they need to establish themselves in consumers’ minds. “Span has built immense capabilities in designing and manufacturing of high quality ethnic wear over the last 3 decades. Our products had reached the world even before people understood export businesses. We targeted to take our expertise to the next level and put Span on the global map, and that made us strive all the more to constantly innovate with new learnings. Thus our growth curve had the advantage of gaining knowledge through experience as well as new learning,” says Tapan P Khandhar.
The Right Focus
Like many other businesses, Span too experienced its own share of setbacks and difficulties. Expansion through various business formats and its effects proved to be a challenge, but one that they overcame through adoption of a focused approach. “Any company growing at 70%-80% every year constantly faces challenges. And so, managing continuous growth was our biggest challenge, especially when the company expanded in size, manpower, business, geographies etc. We always focused on 2 things during such times: To innovate our products, processes, policies, etc and incessantly work hard to make these innovations successful,” says Naman P Khandhar.
Minds that matter
A combined effort at excellence, that’s how the Span family works and lives. “We aren’t just father-son team, rather our entire family has been playing key roles in the growth and success of our company. We work like a professional team, with efforts directed at achieving excellence and constant growth. So while our father is the Chairman, Rashmi Pankaj Khandar (mother) is involved in Special Product Development, Tapan is into Designing and Production, Lipi Tapan Khandhar handles Bulk Sales and Exports, Krishna Naman Khandhar takes care of Branded Retailing (EBO and MBO) and I look after the Finance and Business Development. All of us have built mastery over our respective portfolios and the co-ordination is immense. In case of conflicting situations, the final decision is taken by the Head of that portfolio,” says Naman.
Inclusive Growth
Persistence and perseverance are keys to achieving success in business, and who better to prove this than Span. “Our business mantra has never changed since the inception, which is to create robust growth and thrive for excellence. We believe that ‘life is growth’ and therefore all people associated with us – our stakeholders, employees, customers, suppliers and franchisees – should grow along with us. Just for an idea, today in excess of 800 families are constantly dependant on us and have grown with us, generation on generation, to what they are today,” says Pankaj.
Talking about the company’s success mantra and future initiatives, Tapan adds, “The essence of entrepreneurship can be effectively summarised into the following success mantra – ‘Think Big – Start Small – Build Capabilities – Move Fast. Our vision is very clear in this coming decade. Span is all geared up to become a global brand for women fashion solutions, from ethnic to western garments and to other allied products like fashion accessories, footwear, etc. Very soon we are also opening a ‘SchoolofDesign’ that will impart vocational training and help people use their creativity to the next level. In terms of business-reach, Span will also have exclusive presence in over 15 countries and thus be successfully serving the fashion needs of the global women.”
Highlighting the fashion trends across the globe, Naman says, “Contemporary ethnic wear has become the first choice for the Indian woman. Indeed, we draw a lot of inspiration from world fashion in terms of designs, styles, cuts, patterns, etc while making sure that the Indian soul is also present in our products. Ethnic fashion has a long way to go before it occupies a strong position on the world map and it is our endeavor to make this happen.”
