MEET THE KALLIYATH BROTHERS, THE MASTERMINDS BEHIND KAIRALI TMT, THE ONLY CONVERSION AGENT FOR SAIL (STEEL AUTHORITY OF INDIA) IN KERALA.
Why would the flagship division of a 1000 crore group that is doing very well think of rebranding and advertising? Because two brothers realized that the upcoming years will be the Digital Era. Their foresight of the changing market is what makes Kalirali Steels & Alloys Pvt. Ltd (Kairali TMT EQR), the flagship division of Kairali Ventures; a leading brand of re-bars in Kerala.
Kalliyath group was found by Kalliyath Abdul Kadher Haji, more than 75 years ago. Today, the Group has expanded in various areas of industry around South India. Their brand ambassador is the cine actor Padma Shri Jayaram. Kairali TMT has been anchored by Dr Kalliyath Abdul Gafoor (Managing Director, Kairali Ventures), along with his children, Humayoon Kalliyath (Executive Director, Production & Operations), and Pahalisha Kalliyath (Additional Director, Sales & Marketing).Dr. Gafoor was once called by a famous newspaper as ‘the Steel King of Kerala’. It seems like his two children are following the same footsteps.
Ever since the brothers, Humayoon,and Pahalisha has taken over, they have been quick in transforming Kairali TMT. In 2002, Kairali TMT was commissioned by Mr. P.K. Kunhalikutty (Minister for Industries, IT, and Social Welfare, at that time). Everything about Kairali TMT was different right from the beginning. The only thing they didn’t change was the quality and service,which was always unquestionably world class. All their machines and equipment are the best, imported from Germany. Kairali TMT is the only fully automated rolling mill in Kerala, today. They are also considered as the prime leader in the steel sector of South India.
Their production facilities are in Kamkayam in Tamil Nadu and at Kanjikode (Palghat) in Kerala. They are also looking to expand to other places.
Time and again they have proven like no one else could that no matter what obstacle comes their way, they will work together in expanding Kairali TMT. So what is so different that the brothers do that makes Kairali TMT so great at what they do? FWD Business met up with the mastermind Mr. Humayoon Kalliyath, and his younger brother, Mr. Pahalisha Kalliyath, who is his perfect companion.
Mr. Humayoon, tells us a bit about your academic days. How was it like growing up?
I did my schooling from Peevees public school, Nilambur. A lot of what I am today is because of what I have learned from there. I have a lot of fond memories of that school, had a lot of fun and at the meantime learned the importance of being organized in life. I did my degree from Farook College, Calicut. I had the time of my life in my college years. Calicut is really an awesome place to make some great friends. I still keep in touch with them whenever I get the time. I did my MBA from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland. Scotland is just a stunning place. It was really peaceful there.
What about you Mr. Pahalisha? How was your college days like?
I also did my B.com graduation from Farook College in 2008. To talk about my college life, academically I was an average student who loved to bunk classes and be with my friends. Being a backbencher, what I have earned in life is a bunch of friends who was there in my life when I fell and was in need. The best part of college is, I found my better half, Naisha Muhammad from there [laughs]. Well, that’s a different story altogether. I was into boxing and powerlifting during my college days. I was a national level power lifter and a state level boxer. These two sports have taught me the lessons of willpower and courage to face any situation. It was like the almighty was preparing me for the bigger scheme of things.
Can you explain about the day of your accident and then the road to your recovery?
It was on 24th of August 2009, (third day of Ramadan), I was on my way back home from Idukki after attending state boxing competition, where I won the second prize. As I was fasting and also from the fatigue of the previous day’s tiring fight, I fell asleep at some point when I was driving by near Thondayad bypass. It was around 6 AM in the morning when I met with the accident and I don’t remember the rest. I was told that I was taken to the Medical college and then to Baby Memorial Hospital. I spend the next 24 days in ICU. I had to undergo a major surgery to survive. But later on I was informed that my spinal cord was 75% damaged and I could never walk again in my life! What followed was days of pain. The mental pain was harder than the physical. I was bedridden for the next year and a half. My world was limited to a white ceiling and the four walls of CMC Hospital, Vellore. I was going hopeless but wasn’t ready to give up. My family stood beside me through all these hardships. My mother had to look after me like a new born. My brother had to run around to take care of my treatment, and at the same time run the company. I realized life had put me in a weird position. At that time, Naisha was the one who came up with the positive vibe and taught me to be positive. The road to recovery began with her to hold my hand and she was the one dream that came true. To share our joy, today we are blessed with a little prince, ThawbanTa’at Bin Pahalisha.
After a long time of hospitalization, I returned home on a wheelchair with new hopes and plans for life. My friends took me back to college, and in the process took me back to the outside world. That act has a very important place in my heart. It made me feel no less than a person who can walk. I’m always indebted to my friends. I couldn’t have completed my graduation without them, and my teachers, who gave all the support to me. Soon after completing graduation, I stepped into business and got married to Nasiha.
Tell us something about your wife.
I don’t have words to explain about her. She was with me from the beginning of my misfortunes. She understood my situation and gave meaning to my life. She was part of all my plans thereafter. Half of my worries were taken away by her kind words. Everybody wishes to get married to an understanding woman, I always had such a loving understanding wife.
What about your spouse Mr. Humayoon? How long have you been married?
I’m married to Yasmin Mather from Cochin. It’s been nine years since we got married. She is a fashion stylist and runs a virtual boutique. We complement each other really well and, it’s when I speak to you that I realize it’s been that long since we got hitched. With her, I feel like I’m married to myself—except a much prettier version [Laughs]. Jokes apart, I think it is safe to say that we complement each other really well. I’m very happy to have her in my life.
How are your leisure times like? How do you spend your holidays?
Whenever I can, I try to spend some quality time with my family. We usually check into any good resort along with my daughter Mayeesha and my son Mirsha. We are all fond of movies and hit the theaters whenever we can.
Why did you think that the company required re-branding?
Well, we didn’t want to be monotonous like most in the vertical to begin with. It is a business and like all business’ we need to constantly innovate. So the first thing I did was to introduce the yellow and red color combo for our logo. Today, if you take a look around you’ll see that most of the companies in this sector have adopted the same color combination. We wanted to stand out and make a change and I believe we have done that.
Do you think advertising is a necessity for even a manufacturing industry?
Yes, of course, advertising is necessary. Especially in this era of social media we need to advertise our brand to stand out.
People need to know what we stand for. But along with that we should have faith and trust in the product we are promoting.
We, at Kairali TMT, have that. By advertising our company, we are inviting all to purchase the product that gives the best value for their money. We also want our clients to know that we are going on improvising on our product to keep up with
world standards.
Mr. Pahalisha, you are now seen as inspiration around your circle. People see you as a person who is always up for the task no matter how big the odds are. Is that the person you always were?
I was actually stubborn and short tempered. Maybe it is because of the nature of the sports I was into. But the accident had taught me many lessons. It made me tender and made me realize how much the Almighty has blessed me with.The accident has in fact changed my outlook towards life. I don’t believe that I am an inspiration to anyone. But if that is the case, I’m honored.
Mr. Humayoon, You have won accolades like Icon of Youth. Do you enjoy getting noticed for your work like that?
[Laughs]. I actually didn’t see that coming. I got the award from M.K. Raghavan, M.P. It was an event organized by Kerala Vyapari
Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi. Yes, I like to get noticed for my work. But it’s not for the pride of it. It is yet again to show that we
here at Kairali are doing our best.
Mr. Pahalisha, you also won some awards recently, haven’t you?
Recently I was awarded, “TheYoung Businessman of The Year,” which was presented by Chief Minister Shri Oommen Chandy. And then “The Young Businessman of The Year (2015),” award from Young Chamber of Commerce, presented by Sub Collector Shri Suhas
Shivanna , and the “ShakthanThamburan Award for Excellence in Business (2015)”.
Mr. Humayoon, what is different in your way of doing business?
I love what I do. You can’t be good at something until you love it with all your heart. I put all my effort and energy into my work. When you love what you do, then it can’t be considered a job, right? So no matter how much of energy I spend on it, I don’t feel tired. I’m always looking forward to the next day. That is my way of doing business.
Every company prepares itself for the future. How well prepared is Kairali TMT?
Kairali is already ahead of all other brands. Our research and development team is constantly working in understanding what the demand will be like in future. We are constantly innovating and improvising.
There is a talk on the town that no matter what you do, the other companies adapts the same. You are sort of a trendsetter in your vertical, aren’t you?
Yes, that is true! Whatever we do other companies try to adapt but all they can do is try [laughs]. I don’t mind this at all. I know it’s very hard to be like us. We set the trends because we put in all our effort into our work and do not compromise on the quality of our product which is very vital. People can try to copy us and they can work hard towards it. But they might not be taking this effort on the direction they should. It is the speed with a direction that wins the race.
Educating customers of a brand is something that most companies do at this age. You have gone a step further and are trying to bring a general awareness of your products. What made you take such an initiative?
General awareness is necessary nowadays. The products we sell here is something an average man will require in sometime during their lifetime. We are preparing them for that day with the right information. Besides, everyone today wants to know about the product they are going to purchase. Today people are curious about everything. Some even want to know the technical details.