By K. Gopalakrishnan
How a 140-Year-Old Legacy Business is Creating New Growth Opportunities Through Innovation, Technology and Manufacturing Excellence
Few companies can trace their origins back more than a century while continuing to reinvent themselves for future markets. Citizen Technical Textiles is one such rare example. What began as an umbrella manufacturing business in 1882 has today evolved into a diversified and technologically advanced textile enterprise serving multiple industries ranging from luggage, protective products and automotive applications to electronics, pharmaceuticals and technical textiles.
Under the leadership of Mr. Harsh Banthia, Director, Citizen Technical Textiles, the company is accelerating its transformation from a traditional umbrella manufacturer into a fully integrated technical textiles organization with ambitions to become a globally recognized supplier of coated and performance fabrics.
“We have always believed in controlling the entire value chain rather than simply becoming a converter. That philosophy has shaped every investment we have made over the years,” says Mr. Banthia.
From Umbrellas to Technical Textiles
Citizen’s journey into textiles began as a strategic backward integration initiative.
Having established itself as one of the world’s leading umbrella manufacturers, the company identified textiles as the only major component within the umbrella value chain that was still being sourced externally. In 2006, the group took the decision to enter textile manufacturing under S.L. Banthia Textiles, creating an integrated ecosystem that would eventually transform the business.
Today, the company manufactures virtually every component required for umbrella production in-house and has expanded its textile capabilities far beyond its original requirements.
“We wanted to create differentiation and become self-reliant. Textiles were the missing link in our manufacturing chain and entering this segment allowed us to regain that competitive edge,” explains Mr. Banthia.
What started as a backward integration project gradually evolved into a standalone technical textiles business catering to a wide range of industrial and consumer applications.
Complete Control Across the Value Chain
One of Citizen’s biggest strengths is its vertically integrated manufacturing model.
Unlike many textile manufacturers that rely on outsourced processing, Citizen controls virtually every stage of production. From sizing, weaving, dyeing and printing to coating, embossing, calendaring and finishing, all operations are performed within the company’s own facilities.
This integrated structure enables tighter quality control, faster product development cycles and greater flexibility in addressing customer requirements.
“When we manufacture a product, we know exactly how it has been made at every stage. That level of control is what allows us to consistently deliver quality and reliability,” says Mr. Banthia.
The company currently operates three manufacturing facilities in Surat, including dedicated weaving, processing and coating units equipped with advanced production technologies.
Diversifying into High-Value Technical Textile Applications
While umbrella fabrics initially formed the core of the textile business, Citizen has steadily expanded into a broad range of technical textile applications.
Today, its portfolio includes fabrics for luggage, backpacks, car covers, bike covers, rainwear, industrial applications, anti-static garments, electronics assembly operations and pharmaceutical environments.
One of the company’s notable developments has been the manufacture of ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) fabrics incorporating carbon yarns for semiconductor and electronics assembly applications, where static control is critical.
Over the years, Citizen has expanded from a handful of fabric constructions and coating options to a portfolio comprising hundreds of fabric variants and multiple specialized finishes.
“Earlier we worked with only a few fabric constructions and coating technologies. Today we offer over 200 fabric varieties and numerous finishing options because we cater to a much broader customer base,” notes Mr. Banthia.
The company now offers acrylic coatings, PU coatings, PVC coatings, EVA laminations, TPU coatings and several specialized performance finishes tailored to specific end-use requirements.
A Trusted Partner for Leading Brands
Citizen Technical Textiles has established itself as a preferred supplier for many of India’s leading luggage and travel goods brands.
The company works closely with major industry names including Samsonite, VIP and Safari, among others, supplying performance fabrics that combine durability, aesthetics and functionality.
According to Mr. Banthia, the company’s success has been built on a combination of product consistency, ethical business practices and a long-term commitment to quality.
A recent example involved a value-engineering initiative undertaken with Samsonite, where Citizen worked closely with the customer to optimize product specifications and costs without compromising performance standards.
Such collaborative development capabilities have strengthened the company’s reputation as more than just a fabric supplier, positioning it as a solution provider capable of helping customers improve product performance and competitiveness.
Technology as a Competitive Advantage
Technology adoption remains central to Citizen’s growth strategy.
The company has consistently invested in advanced manufacturing systems, modern processing technologies and digital operational platforms that improve efficiency, traceability and quality assurance.
A fully integrated ERP system allows complete traceability across the manufacturing chain, enabling every fabric roll to be linked back to its originating yarn source.
“Our entire value chain is digitally traceable. We can track every product right back to the yarn from which it was produced,” says Mr. Banthia.
Quality assurance is another area where the company has made substantial investments. Unlike many manufacturers who reserve rigorous testing only for premium products, Citizen applies structured quality control systems across all product categories.
This disciplined approach has enabled the company to serve customers across different market segments while maintaining consistent standards.
Expanding Product Portfolio Through Continuous Innovation
The last eighteen months have been particularly significant for Citizen Technical Textiles, with several new product categories being added to its portfolio.
Among the most important developments is the company’s entry into TPU laminations and artificial PVC leather manufacturing.
The new PVC leather range is expected to address growing demand from luggage, automotive, furnishing and home textile sectors.
Supported by in-house calendaring, lamination and embossing capabilities, Citizen is uniquely positioned to manufacture these products under one roof while maintaining complete control over quality and customization.
Initially, the company plans to focus on its established luggage customer base before expanding into furnishings, home textiles and automotive applications.
“For us, PVC leather is a natural extension of our existing capabilities. We already possess most of the infrastructure required, allowing us to move quickly into this segment,” explains Mr. Banthia.
Sustainability and Responsible Manufacturing
Citizen’s growth journey is being accompanied by significant investments in sustainability and responsible manufacturing.
The company has established a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system and currently recycles over 92 percent of its water consumption. Solar power has become an increasingly important part of its energy strategy, with approximately 2 MW of installed solar capacity already operational and further expansion planned.
In addition, the company maintains internationally recognized certifications including GRS, WRAP and other compliance standards that support its engagement with global customers.
Mr. Banthia believes that sustainability and compliance should not be viewed merely as customer requirements but as long-term investments that strengthen business resilience and competitiveness.
Leadership Vision for the Future
As a fifth-generation entrepreneur, Mr. Harsh Banthia represents the new generation of leaders transforming traditional family businesses into professionally managed organizations.
A Chartered Accountant by qualification, he joined the business in 2012 and has played a key role in expanding Citizen’s technical textile capabilities, strengthening operational systems and identifying new growth opportunities.
His vision extends beyond individual product categories.
“We want to be recognized as a company that delivers value consistently, reliably and ethically. Whether it is a basic product or a specialized technical textile, customers should know that Citizen will deliver exactly what it promises,” he says.
The company is actively pursuing opportunities with global retailers and international sourcing organizations while simultaneously expanding its presence in technical textile applications, coated fabrics and engineered products.
Looking Ahead
Citizen Technical Textiles is entering an exciting phase of growth. With a fully integrated manufacturing ecosystem, expanding product portfolio, strong technology backbone and a culture of continuous investment, the company is well positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities across technical textiles and performance fabrics.
The launch of new product categories such as artificial PVC leather, growing engagement with global retailers and increasing penetration into industrial and technical textile applications are expected to further strengthen its market position.
Conclusion
From its origins as an umbrella manufacturer more than 140 years ago to its emergence as a diversified technical textiles company, Citizen’s journey reflects the power of long-term vision, technological investment and entrepreneurial resilience. Under the leadership of Mr. Harsh Banthia, the company is combining its manufacturing heritage with modern capabilities to create a future-ready business. As it continues to expand its product offerings, strengthen sustainability initiatives and pursue new market opportunities, Citizen Technical Textiles is steadily establishing itself as a significant player in India’s evolving technical textiles landscape.
