This curated segment traces the journey of H & R Johnson (India) as traversed over six decades since its inception in 1958. As pioneers of the Indian tiles and ceramics industry, H & R Johnson (India) has transcended from a company manufacturing products to an institution that nurtures innovation and entrepreneurship.
‘Origins’ chronicles discussions with six individuals – of the many, who have helped shape this legacy, to talk about the beginnings of the company, its transformation through a tough transition, landmark technical and marketing innovations, its growing relationship with the industry, the many brands of H & R Johnson (India) and its national and international reach.
Pesi Elavia
Consultant & Former Plant Head
I began my journey with H & R Johnson on 2nd May 1959. My interview was at Nanabhai Mansion at Flora Fountain with Mr Kenny Pedder, the then Director and his father. We started out in a very small way with semi-automatic machines and a total of 75-80 workers. In 1969- 1970, with a limited license to import presses, our supply dropped and the demand was increasing. Thus, along with tiles, to increase production, we began manufacturing tile presses – a completely Indian innovation that had export standard!
I was the Plant Head when I retired back in 1995 since then I have been working as a consultant for the last 22 years.
Archival Image of the first plant at Thane.The first team at Thane Plant (L-R): Mr K B Dalal (Kilns); Mr Keshav Datar (Dipping); Mr Pesi Elavia (Press Shop); Mr Nurullah (Personnel); Mr Keshav Sharma (Slip House).Pesi Elavia in an archival photograph receiving an award.
Ramachandran Kurup
Consultant and Former Chief Human Resources Officer
For a very long time, ceramic tiles were restricted to the walls. It was the first time that six-inch ceramic tiles were being produced in India. In the years to follow, the company took the tiles market by storm with consecutive and successful innovations driven by design, material innovation and marketing outreach. From a small company back then, today we are a corporation of nearly 400 and more, just in Mumbai.
After three decades of experience at H & R Johnson, it is clear to me that designers and architects are a different clientele.
Anoop Sreekumar
Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing
I joined the company in 2000 when Marbonite was a first-of-its-kind. After building a successful portfolio for the brand, 2008 saw a shift in career for me from Retail Sales to Marketing. One of the most important innovations of my term was the innovations in visual merchandising. H & R Johnson for the first time was participating in large expos such as ACETECH, showcasing the company’s many brands to an audience mainly composed of builders and architects.
After 17 years in the company, one of the most rewarding things has been the freedom and encouragement to excel.
Shivram Pednekar
Officer, Ceramic Design
I joined H & R Johnson in the year 1989. Prior to that, I worked as a textile designer in Khatav Mill, Vimal Textiles and several other small design studios. My understanding of colours helped me a lot. Mostly, the output was as expected unless the tile itself broke into two during firing; I have never remade a tile. When I began twenty-seven years back, we were a team of four. We also trained over fifty artists in our time. Today, my role is diverse; I oversee the distribution of all marketing collaterals across India.
As a Trainee Artist, I mainly worked on drawing, hand-painting, and cone-work.
Arun Rao
Senior Vice President, Product Management & Technology
I joined this company as an Assistant Manager at the Thane factory in June of 1994. With a background in ceramic engineering, I was looking after one part of the production unit – the Glaze Preparation Department. At that time, this was the largest factory that the company administered. By 1998, we had commissioned a new factory with the latest technology at Pen to develop new products in line with global trends. From the time I joined 23 years ago, Management has always given every employee enough freedom to innovate. Today, we have reached the stage where technical differences between products are slowly disappearing.
“Multiskilling has empowered our employees.
Farhan Akhtar
Senior General Manager, Corporate Business Development
When I started my career as a management trainee with H & R Johnson in 1996, it was only a small company manufacturing wall and floor ceramic tiles with the tagline, “Design Good Enough to Steal.” Working as a radical stimulus between the vendors and the company, H & R Johnson was the first to design a multimedia kiosk for their products. From the year 2016, I have been serving the company as the National Head of Corporate Business Development (CBD). It is a new vertical created to penetrate the market and generate business through key specifiers. In brief, we are reliable tile experts who have complete knowledge of all the divisions of H & R Johnson Tiles ⊗
If one is clear about the technical parameters of the product, one can discuss ideas like aesthetics, durability, innovation and use.
Illustration of Branding on Kolkata Trams.Branding on Trams in Tollygunge, Calcutta.Branding on a tram in Kalighat, Calcutta.
