Weaving a greener legacy in the textile industry
When Sumeet Nath took over his family’s business in 1992, the company founded by his grandfather in 1939, Raj Overseas had already established itself as a major player in textile production. With growing environmental awareness in recent years, however, Sumeet knew his company needed to change along with the times.
“Environmental compliance and social accountability is something we’ve always taken pride in, and it’s my responsibility to make sure that we continue to stay relevant and are future-ready,” he said.
The textile industry is often criticised for its environmental impact, from high energy consumption to resource-intensive processes. For Raj Overseas, these challenges were a call to action. “Being in a labour-intensive industry where many of our products are handmade, and where we use a lot of machinery with high energy consumption, you need to be very committed to making these changes to stay sustainable,” Sumeet explained.
Under Sumeet’s leadership, the company has taken concrete steps to address these challenges. Raj Overseas has invested in solar panels, energy-efficient motors, and water conservation technologies, actions that have delivered measurable results. Within a single year, the company succeeded in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 451 tonnes over twelve months.
Teaming Up for a Greener Future
Achieving a transformation like this takes more than ambition, it also requires the right resources, expertise, and a reliable financial partner. For Raj Overseas, that partner turned out to be DBS. Introduced through a business connection, the partnership clicked right away, with DBS sharing the same commitment to sustainability as Raj Overseas.
“DBS had a very different playbook. They had environmental goals that they wanted to fulfil, and they worked with us at every angle so they could disperse the funds and it could be done in a quick and positive manner,” said Sumeet.
“We create many seasonal products in our industry so time is of the essence. So, having a partner like DBS helps us stay ahead of the curve and helps us meet the needs of our partners,” he added.
DBS provided targeted financing that enabled Raj Overseas to install advanced sustainability solutions such as solar panels and energy-efficient systems. This support was key to achieving the firm’s sustainability upgrades, while also addressing operational demands in an industry where timeliness and precision are critical.
Keeping Pace with Conscious Consumers
Raj Overseas’ sustainability journey has also been about adapting to its evolving consumer base. The rise of environmentally conscious Gen Z consumers has shifted market dynamics. Shoppers are no longer just looking for style, but also an assurance that the products they purchase are made responsibly.
“There are many companies who spend a lot of time and effort to build a robust supply chain and a product that is environmentally friendly because it is more attractive to consumers. Consumers now, especially the Gen Zs, are very conscious of what they consume, so being a responsible manufacturer and resonating with your consumer base is very important,” Sumeet said.
By aligning its operations with consumer expectations, Raj Overseas is not only strengthening its reputation, but also securing its future in an increasingly sustainability-driven market.
Shaping a Sustainable Tomorrow
While Raj Overseas has made substantial strides, the company is far from finished with its sustainability journey. “We are poised for big changes now. Transforming our carbon footprint is our core goal. As long as we continue to track our progress and make adjustments, we can continuously work towards that change,” said Sumeet.
He credits much of their progress to the strong partnership with DBS. “A cleaner world starts with cleaner manufacturing processes of fast fashion, and it’s important that we stay versatile and keep evolving to be more sustainable. As long as we keep working with DBS, we’re confident we’ll get there.”
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