{"id":33745,"date":"2025-10-24T16:51:18","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T11:21:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/?p=33745"},"modified":"2025-10-28T15:30:43","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T10:00:43","slug":"adding-dignity-to-the-workbench-the-group-mars-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/adding-dignity-to-the-workbench-the-group-mars-way\/","title":{"rendered":"Adding Dignity to the Workbench \u2014 The Group Mars Way"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the sparkling world of jewellery, one visionary company chose to shine the spotlight on those who toil at the workbenches and are seldom in the forefront.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Vyas brothers<\/em>\u2014Kamlesh, Rajesh, and Himanshu<\/strong>\u2014Directors of Group Mars and Rams Jewels<\/strong>, have spent nearly four decades building not just a successful enterprise but a humane model of manufacturing that values artisans as much as the product itself. Thanks to them, a quiet transformation has been set in motion\u2014turning an unorganised segment of the industry into one that places dignity, ethics, and empathy at its core.<\/em><\/p>\n

Kamlesh Vyas sums up their work culture in a single line: \u201cOur industry\u2019s real gold lies in its people. When you build their future, you build your own.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The best business practices followed by Group Mars led to the establishment of one-of-a-kind Karigar Park in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, in a joint venture collaboration with one of India\u2019s leading retail chains.<\/em><\/p>\n

The company has earned many awards, the most prestigious being the Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED) Silver Certification, making it the only jewellery company to have received this honour! These remarkable achievements have drawn the attention of IIM Ahmedabad, which is now conducting a case study on the company\u2019s people-first business model.<\/em><\/p>\n

Solitaire International met with two of the brothers, Kamlesh and Rajesh Vyas, to find out what makes their companies stand out!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"
The Vyas brothers\u2014Kamlesh, Rajesh, and Himanshu.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A commerce graduate with modest beginnings, Kamlesh Vyas started his career behind the counter at TBZ in Zaveri Bazar, Mumbai. The experience, though brief, shaped his understanding of how business and people connect. In the mid-1980s, the brothers\u2014Kamlesh, Rajesh, and Himanshu\u2014started a small jewellery manufacturing unit with just 20 karigars and a few machines in Mumbai.<\/p>\n

Their goal was simple: to build a business where artisans were treated with respect. At a time when most workshops were poorly ventilated and workers slept beside their benches, the Vyas brothers ensured that every artisan who joined them was given good food, a clean working environment, and decent accommodation. \u201cIf you solve the basics\u2014roti, kapda, makaan<\/em>\u2014for your people, they will take care of everything else,\u201d Kamlesh Vyas states. That early decision became the foundation of the company\u2019s philosophy.<\/p>\n

Rajesh Vyas adds, \u201cWe are trying to glorify the lesser-seen side of the glorious industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Over the years, they grew quietly but steadily. The firm\u2019s insistence on doing things differently attracted attention\u2014not just for the quality of the plain gold jewellery but for the integrity of their operations.<\/p>\n

In 2003, after nearly four years of consistent outreach and discussions, the jewellery major headquartered in Bengaluru approached them with a challenge that others had failed to meet: to build a dedicated, world-class Karigar Park in Hosur, Tamil Nadu.<\/p>\n

The Vyas brothers took it up without hesitation, moving more than a hundred artisans from Mumbai to Hosur, bridging not only linguistic and cultural divides but also the mindset gap between traditional workshop culture and corporate discipline.<\/p>\n

That partnership has today evolved into a one-of-its-kind joint venture. The Karigar Park is a model for responsible jewellery manufacturing in India.<\/p>\n

Setting High Standards<\/strong><\/p>\n

The facility is unlike anything the industry has seen\u2014it\u2019s a model like no other. Air-conditioned workstations, ergonomic benches, clean accommodation in a hostel, a canteen serving four wholesome meals a day, and \u20b92 lakh medical insurance for every employee have replaced the dim, cluttered workshops that often continue to dominate the trade.<\/p>\n

The Hosur unit alone houses 125 artisans, while the Mumbai unit, under the leadership of Himanshu Vyas, employs over 125 artisans and other supporting staff with ultra-high facilities for shop-floor designs aimed at ultimate luxury.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The Hosur Karigar Park in Tamil Nadu.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Vyas brothers believe that each minute of a karigar is valuable and must be utilised for higher productivity within the limited time period. Group Mars operates with a professionalism rarely seen in jewellery manufacturing. The company practices Lean Management, Six Sigma, and the Theory of Constraints, borrowing best practices from the automotive and electronics industries. Its commitment to sustainability and quality earned it the Government of India\u2019s Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED) Silver Certification*\u2014making the group the first jewellery manufacturer in the country to achieve that distinction.<\/p>\n

The company has also received multiple MSME awards and is recognised by the Responsible Sourcing Council.<\/p>\n

These achievements are a result of constant learning and adapting. Kamlesh has always believed that perfection is a moving target. \u201cI follow sportsmen who keep breaking their own records,\u201d he says. \u201cPerfection can always be improved.\u201d This spirit drives him to innovate continually\u2014not just in manufacturing but in mindset. He encourages artisans to see themselves as professionals, not labourers.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Airy, well-ventilated shopfloors for artisans at Rams Jewels, Dahisar, Mumbai.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The workstations at Rams Jewels, Mumbai, resemble modern BPO offices, complete with clean lighting, order, and efficiency. \u201cMy karigars don\u2019t sit on the floor; they sit with pride,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Humane at Core<\/strong>
\nProfessionalism aside, the Vyas brothers follow their 4P philosophy: People, Process, Planet, and Product. \u201cPeople come first, always. Once they are secure and motivated, the rest\u2014processes, compliance, and profits\u2014follow naturally,\u201d comments Rajesh.<\/p>\n

It is customary to celebrate the birthdays of all karigars, including Bengali festivals at Group Mars. Other perks include free schooling for karigars\u2019 children up to Class 10, and educational support beyond that, subject to merit. Kamlesh shares proudly that one of their karigar\u2019s daughters recently earned admission to AIIMS Rishikesh to study medicine, and two other karigar\u2019s children are pursuing engineering.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Birthday celebrations for karigars are mandatory and form an important part of work culture.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The brothers also make it a point to visit the hometowns of their karigars to check if there is an improvement in their standard of living and whether they are putting their hard-earned money to good use. They also attend family weddings or housewarming ceremonies to make karigars feel included and part of the company.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Women work force taking time out for yoga.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Doesn\u2019t that involve a lot of additional cost? It does, asserts Kamlesh, adding, \u201cIf I had kept all the profits to myself, I might have added a few more crores to the balance sheet. But what we have instead is something no money can buy\u2014a team that works with pride and loyalty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Attrition at both Rams Jewels and Group Mars is almost zero, and productivity levels are among the highest in the industry. \u201cIn fact, we even have the younger generation wanting to join the company,\u201d beams Kamlesh with pride.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Kamlesh Vyas (seated, left) at a karigar\u2019s wedding.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

He reminisces about the pandemic times, when chaos swept the nation and migrant workers fled cities in fear, but he refused to let his people face that uncertainty. He fed all 250 employees throughout the lockdowns, ensured medical safety, distributed vitamins and other essentials, and maintained strict hygiene protocols. Of all the employees, only two tested positive for Covid, and they recovered fully in no time.<\/p>\n

Carrying the legacy forward<\/strong>
\nThe next generation of the Vyas family is already shaping the company\u2019s future. The four children\u2014Mihir, Ayushi, Rahul, and Siddharth (forming the acronym MARS)\u2014are expanding the group into new ventures while keeping the same values at heart. Their brands\u2014Raya, Zyga, and Shaar\u2014aim to take the family legacy into retail and exports, blending modern design sensibilities with responsible craftsmanship. The family is preparing to launch its own collections that reflect both tradition and innovation.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Next Gen\u2014Mihir, Ayushi, Rahul, & Siddharth (forming the acronym MARS)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kamlesh is candid about the realities of the industry. He acknowledges that nearly 95% of India\u2019s jewellery sector still functions in the unorganised segment. But he believes the tide can turn if more entrepreneurs commit to formalising their operations and dignifying their workforce.
\nFrom the early days of working with 20 artisans to now managing hundreds across two states, the brothers\u2019 mission has remained unchanged: to create an ecosystem where artisans thrive, not merely survive. For them, success is not measured by tonnes of gold produced but by the lives transformed along the way.<\/p>\n

Kamlesh & Rajesh Vyas conclude that they want to be the disruptors, they want to be the change, and compete with global brands. \u201cWe want to take India\u2019s handcrafted jewellery to the world. We want to redefine gold jewellery manufacturing,\u201d they state.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Vyas brothers receiving the ZEE Business “Outstanding Entrepreneur Award (MSME) 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In fulfilling the dreams of the karigars, the Vyas brothers have fulfilled their own. The journey is more than a success story\u2014it is a call to conscience for an industry that often forgets the human hands behind its brilliance. By turning empathy into enterprise, they have given Indian jewellery manufacturing what it has long needed: a heart.<\/p>\n

*MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification is an extensive drive to create awareness amongst MSMEs about Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED) practices and motivate and incentivise them for ZED Certification while also encouraging them to become MSME Champions.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Excellence in Every Detail<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Certifications & Ratings:<\/strong> Group Mars is certified under ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018; and holds the ZED Silver Rating, along with SMERA and MSE certifications.<\/li>\n
  • Skill Development:<\/strong> Over 550 artisans have been certified under the PMKVY (RPL) programme, supporting MSME and Make in India initiatives.<\/li>\n
  • Manufacturing Excellence:<\/strong> Lean manufacturing with Toyota Method principles \u2014 Respect for People and Continuous Improvement. This approach has reduced lead times to 7\u201312 days depending on product complexity, cut inventory holding days to just 10, and doubled artisan productivity from 1.8 kg to 3.6 kg per month.<\/li>\n
  • Design Heritage:<\/strong> Manufacturing a range of jewellery collections from Attaru Dezzaru, Kasumala, Chandan Haar, and Kolkata Filigree to modern global collections, blending precision with artistry.<\/li>\n
  • Smart Workspaces:<\/strong> Ergonomic and centrally air-conditioned shop floors equipped with tablets for real-time design checks, streamlined layouts, and centralised air-conditioning for safety and comfort.<\/li>\n
  • Production Capacity:<\/strong> 3\u20133.5 tonnes annually, supplying to top brands in India, with a 99% first-time acceptance rate.<\/li>\n
  • Exports:<\/strong> The Gen Next is planning to explore and expand business in the UAE, UK, and Canada.<\/li>\n
  • People-First Philosophy:<\/strong> Yoga sessions, medical check-ups, educational support for artisans\u2019 children, and celebrations of Vishwakarma Puja, Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, Eid, and artisans\u2019 birthdays.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Women Empowerment:<\/strong> Training programmes empowering local women in jewellery making under the ethos of \u201cfor woman, of woman, by woman.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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