TN CM Stalin inaugurates manufacturing unit for Crocs footwear brand

Plant with Rs 400 cr investment will provide jobs to 4,000 people initially

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday inaugurated J R One Kothari’s manufacturing plant that will produce Crocs brand of footwear in Eraiyur, Perambalur district.

The Kothari group has invested Rs 400 crore in the plant at State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu’s (SIPCOT) Park for the first phase that will provide jobs to 4,000 people. The group plans to invest an additional Rs 2,440 crore by 2028, generating jobs for 29,500 people.

“The favourable environment for investments and ease of doing business are the most important factors (in Tamil Nadu), which people can witness for themselves,” said Stalin.

Stalin said he was “doubly delighted” to speak at the inauguration of the footwear park for which he had laid the foundation stone a year ago, while also inaugurating the Eraiyur SIPCOT Park. The government’s target is to consolidate Tamil Nadu’s position in leather and footwear.

“You are all aware that since we unveiled the Tamil Nadu Footwear and Leather Products Policy, 2022, there have been many initiatives, and the sector has seen drastic changes. This development is there for all to see. Witnessing such a growth, our belief of Tamil Nadu achieving its target of becoming a $ 1 trillion economy before 2030 is further strengthened,” he said.

A footwear manufacturing park with an outlay of Rs 400 crore and spread over 250 acres is planned in Panapakkam, Ranipet district. The park will generate employment for 20,000 people. The government had created ready-to-occupy non-leather footwear green clusters in association with SIPCOT, State Industries Development Corporation, and private firms through public-private partnership.

The Eraiyur manufacturing plant would help the Perambalur region’s economy and create employment, especially for women. Tamil Nadu’s model of economic growth has received global appreciation and applause. This model was ideal for the development of backward districts, he said.

The highlight of the government’s efforts for growth would be the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet to be held at Chennai in January: “The summit is being organised along with companies like yours. Companies from all over the world will be attending the summit and today’s inauguration of the ultra-modern plant gives me great happiness,” said Stalin.

Tamil Nadu Transport Minister S S Sivasankar; T R B Rajaa, minister for industries, investment promotion, and commerce, Lok Sabha MP A Raja, V Arun Roy, secretary in department of industries, investment promotion and commerce, and V Vishnu, managing director and chief executive officer, Guidance, were also present at the inauguration of the manufacturing plant in Eraiyur.