Latest news with #Nirma
India.com
2 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Meet 81-Year-Old Who Sold Detergent Door-to-Door On Bicycle, Took Rs 15,000 Loan, Now Leads Rs 23,000 Crore Firm — Know His Net Worth
photoDetails english 2912216 Updated:Jun 07, 2025, 07:31 AM IST Born in a Small Village 1 / 8 Karsanbhai Patel was born in 1945 in Ruppur, a small village in Gujarat. Raised in a financially constrained household, he understood the value of hard work early on. Despite limited resources, he was determined to build a better life. He pursued a in Chemistry and secured a modest government job—first as a lab assistant at New Cotton Mills and then at the Geology and Mining Department of Gujarat. From Government Job to Side Hustle 2 / 8 In 1969, Karsanbhai Patel began making detergent powder in his backyard, using a small loan of Rs 15,000. Before heading to his government job, he would sell handmade detergent packets door-to-door on his bicycle in Ahmedabad. Solving a Common Man's Problem 3 / 8 At that time, major detergent brands were priced beyond the reach of ordinary families. Patel saw this gap and formulated a low-cost yet effective alternative. He called it Nirma, named in memory of his late daughter, Nirupama. His pricing strategy — just Rs 13 per kg — struck a chord with middle-class households across India. From Backyard to Brand 4 / 8 Initially, Nirma was produced and packaged by hand in Patel's backyard. As word spread and demand grew, he took a small unit on rent to scale up production. His blend of quality, affordability, and trust made Nirma a household name. The simple, relatable packaging featuring the 'Nirma girl' helped solidify its identity. Advertising That Stuck With A Generation 5 / 8 Nirma's TV and radio jingles — 'Washing powder Nirma!' — became iconic across India. Its messaging appealed to homemakers and positioned the brand as both family-friendly and pocket-friendly. The combination of mass appeal and low price allowed Nirma to dominate even in rural markets. A Diversified FMCG Empire 6 / 8 By the 1990s, Nirma had expanded into soaps, beauty products, and other personal care items. It also became one of the world's largest producers of soda ash. Today, Nirma employs over 18,000 people and earns Rs 7,000 crore in annual revenue. The group's total turnover exceeds Rs 23,000 crore, with cement brand Nuvoco Vistas also under its belt. A Visionary Beyond Business 7 / 8 Patel didn't just stop at business. He founded the Nirma Education and Research Foundation (NERF) and Nirma University, which have become prestigious institutions in Gujarat. His contributions to business and education have earned him many accolades, including the Udyog Ratna Award (1990) and Ernst & Young Lifetime Achievement Award (2006). Net Worth 8 / 8 As of June 2025, Karsanbhai Patel's net worth is estimated at 5.1 billion dollars (Rs 42,585 crore), as per Forbes. His journey from cycling with detergent packets to leading one of India's most recognizable consumer brands is a testament to grit, vision, and the spirit of Indian entrepreneurship.
Business Standard
30-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Nirma standalone net profit rises 76.33% in the March 2025 quarter
Sales decline 2.75% to Rs 1749.96 crore Net profit of Nirma rose 76.33% to Rs 284.88 crore in the quarter ended March 2025 as against Rs 161.56 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2024. Sales declined 2.75% to Rs 1749.96 crore in the quarter ended March 2025 as against Rs 1799.49 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2024. For the full year,net loss reported to Rs 2096.21 crore in the year ended March 2025 as against net profit of Rs 681.67 crore during the previous year ended March 2024. Sales declined 2.67% to Rs 7073.82 crore in the year ended March 2025 as against Rs 7267.66 crore during the previous year ended March 2024. Particulars Quarter Ended Year Ended Mar. 2025 Mar. 2024 % Var. Mar. 2025 Mar. 2024 % Var. Sales 1749.961799.49 -3 7073.827267.66 -3 OPM % 19.5715.38 - 18.5616.40 - PBDT 273.26304.92 -10 960.521204.53 -20 PBT 212.17238.68 -11 721.53938.92 -23 NP 284.88161.56 76 -2096.21681.67 PL
