Kolkata-based industrialist, Satya Prasad Roy Burman, founder and chairman emeritus of Khadim India, passed away today at a private hospital in Kolkata after prolonged illness. He was 83.
KM Khadim & Company, a footwear shop in Chitpur, Kolkata, was bought by Burman in 1965. By 1993, in sync with the liberalized economy, the footwear shop converted a retail chain.
By the 2000s, realizing the need for expansion and organized retailing as a result, Khadim revamped its business model by integrating manufacturing, retailing, sales, finance, supply chain management, human resources, brand management, IT, as well as Manufacturing, under one umbrella.
Khadim runs 600 exclusive retail outlets across the country, and is the second largest organized footwear retailer in India.
With a presence in 21 states, Khadim’s banks on affordability and loyalty to market its products.
This apart, Khadim has also diversified in areas like gold retail and fashion accessories. Khadim ventured into gold business and fashion retail with a presence in its own superstore at Kanchrapara in suburban Kolkata in 2005. Khadim is also planning to set its footprint in the e-commerce space.
“He was an institution in himself. His unwavering leadership has earned Khadim’s the reputation of being a top notch player in the footwear segment of India. Besides being a successful businessman, he was a true human being who always prioritized the needs of mankind”, said Siddhartha Roy Burman, Chairman and Managing Director of Khadim.
Burman is survived by his wife Namita Roy Burman, sons Partha Roy Burman and Siddhartha Roy Burman, and daughters Jayasri Burman Maity and Manjusree Pandey.
Satya Prasad Roy Burman, also known as ‘Barobabu’, was born on 1st March 1930. He was one of the pioneers of indigenous organized footwear industry in West Bengal.
“More than being a manufacturer, I love to manufacture manufacturers,” Burman once said.
KHADIM MILESTONES
- 1965 Khadim's Brand acquired by Sri S. P Roy Burman, Founder and Chairman Emeritus.
- 1981 Forming of Khadim’s first corporate entity.
- 1993 Opening of the first retail outlet in Kolkata.
- 2000 Commencement of operations in South India with the establishment of 4 exclusive retail outlets.
- 2001 Foray into manufacturing of footwear and accessories and integration of software implemented to automate the entire organization.
- 2004 Awarded ISO 9001:2000 certification for manufacturing facility.
- 2008 Opening of the 300th exclusive showroom.
- 2009 Implementation of SAP. ISO 9001:2008 certification from TUV NORD.
- 2010 Operations begin from the 100,000 sq. ft. Central Distribution Centre, Bantala
- 2011 Opens 500th exclusive showroom.
- 2013 Upgrading the look of stores; more spacious, better lighting and installation of audio-visual aid for product advertising and marketing.
