The business world mourns the passing of Vijaypat Singhania, the former chairman of the Raymond Group and a die heart patriot. Known for his sharp business mind and also for his passion to fly, Singhania leaves behind a legacy that transformed a startup into a huge company. How big is the legacy of Vijaypat Singhania? Vijaypat Singhania was the architect of the modern Raymond Group. Under his leadership, the textile brand earned the trademark of ‘The Complete Man.’ Beyond business, he had other passions as well. A keen aviator, he once set a world record for flying solo from the UK to India in just 23 days. His contribution to Indian industry earned him the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian awards. Today, Raymond is one of the largest textile company in the world, exporting suits to over 60 countries, including the USA, Japan, and Europe. The Family Tree: The Generations of Singhanias The Raymond journey runs across three generations of Singhanias: Lala Kailashpat Singhania: The visionary who took over the Raymond Woolen Mill in 1944 and laid the foundation. Vijaypat Singhania: The man who scaled the business globally and took the emire to next level. Gautam Singhania: The current Chairman and Managing Director (appointed in 2000) who diversified the group into other business verticals as well like realty and engineering. How many children does Vijaypath Singhania have? He has two sons and one daughter – Madhupati Singhania, Gautam Singhania and Shephali Ruia Raymond is company name but Singhania family runs the business! Raymond was founded in 1925 by Albert and Abraham Jacob Raymond as a woolen mill near Thane, Mumbai, and was later acquired by Lala Kailashpat Singhania in 1944. The Singhanias kept the original, established name because it already had a strong market reputation at the time. Initial Challenges: The survival story of Raymond Group! It was never easy for the conglomerate to make its mark. Raymond started in the form of a small mill near Thane in 1925. When the Singhania family took over in 1944, the Indian textile industry was fragmented and faced heavy competition from British imports. The strategy that worked! The group survived by focusing on ‘Fibre-to-Fabric’ manufacturing. Instead of relying on others, they built everything in-house! From weaving to readymade clothes, everything was in-house! Raymond’s strategy: Beyond just clothing Raymond’s business strategy is built on following pillars: 1. Diversification: While they are famous for suits, the group has spread its wings. They are now leaders in: Engineering: Through JK Files, they are one of the world’s largest manufacturer of steel files. Consumer Care: Popular brands like Park Avenue and KamaSutra. Realty: Building quality housing through Raymond Realty. 2. Massive Reach: The company doesn’t just stick to big cities. They have over 1,500 outlets in 600 towns, making luxury fashion available even in smaller cities in India. They also act as a Business-to-Business (B2B) giant, manufacturing clothes for some of the world’s most famous international fashion labels. Impact beyond business! As the sun sets on the era of Vijaypat Singhania, the empire he helped build continues to stand tall, moving “Beyond” traditional boundaries to remain a household name in India and abroad. How big a conglomerate is Raymond Group? The total market capitalisation of Raymond Group is more than ₹9,441.93 crore as of Sunday, 29 March, 2026. The share prices of Raymond Ltd closed at ₹342.60 apiece on the BSE on Friday. Post navigation Banks to remain closed for 14 days in April:No stock market trading for 10 days Govt acknowledges slowdown in economic growth:Expensive oil causes signs of rising inflation
