KOCHI: The proverb ‘Make hay when the sun shines’ has come true for K C Job. Yes, he has struck gold in the dull-looking jute rice bags, which are often relegated to doormats.
It was nearly three decades ago when Job left his brother’s candle business and roamed around the streets of Mattanchery in search of rice bags that he foresaw the immense possibilities of the golden fibre.
He brought the sacks home, processed and dyed it and with the help of his wife Honey Job, turned them into different sized bags. “We had a lady’s fancy store at Thrissur and we sold these bags there on a trial basis. At the same time we sold the bags in different shops in Coimbatore and Ernakulam. After getting the first feedbacks on quality and improving the product, I decided to go to Kolkata, one of the major place of jute industry,” says Job whose company Sangeetha Bags has a pivotal role in popularising jute bags in South India.
It would be interesting to know that the big, pastel-coloured square bags with wooden handles, popularly known as ‘big shopper bags’ found at every household in the 80s and 90s, was his creation.
Ask him what led him to believe in jute, he says, “It was from a news article that I came across that I came to know that plastic was banned in some countries. So, this got me thinking sooner or later, the same would happen here. So, that intuition was the beginning. And since jute is 100 per cent biodegradable natural fibre, it can also be a good alternative for plastic bags.”
Over the years, Sangeetha Bag has over more than a lakh loyal clients which include all major textile shops in South India like Seematti, Kalyan, PSR, Ganapathy Silks, Ramraaj, Jayalakshmi; jewellery stores like Bhima, Geeri Pai; food grade bags for Nirapara, Eastern; schools, hospitals among many. “For the last 10 years the bags used during the Attukal Pongala, the bags to pack Sabarimala prasadam and even the bags to cover the Electronic Voting Machine’ are provided by me,” says Job who started his business from his native place Kunnamkulam, Thrissur.
Job didn’t restrict himself in using jute as mere kits and carry bags. He after spending 15 years making big shoppers, innovated chic and stylish handbags in jute for ladies. Over the years, jute handbags, pouches, clutches and tote bags are a major hit among people. “Awareness among people has grown. And, going eco-friendly is the need of the hour,” says Job. Sangeetha Bag now has three showrooms in Kochi, seven manufacturing units and is available online too.
Job and his team of designers are constantly bringing out novel creations in jute. Sangeetha Bag also has an array of footwears, jute jewellery and schoolbags to name a few. “It was four years back when we started to make jewellery. School bags are the latest innovation. We are still checking its durability and strength, for we give one-year guarantee for every product we make here,” adds Job who implements a jute lifestyle wearing jute sandals and bringing jute lunch bag to his office.
“The best quality jute comes from Bangladesh. And while dyeing and bleaching one should be careful as there is material risk involved,” says Job.
His sons Sangeeth and Vineeth and a team of around 300 employees help Job in revolutionising jute much further. “Once a jute user, always a loyal jute product user. And I believe that in 10 years time, all will be using only jute,” says Job with a positive note.
