TCF POST Special Report
Evervan Kothari Footwear Pvt. Ltd. officially broke ground on a new manufacturing facility in the Mayanur area of Karur, Tamil Nadu, on July 10, aimed primarily at producing non-leather footwear for the global brand Adidas. This project is a joint venture between the Taiwan-based Evervan Group, a major global footwear manufacturer, and India’s Kothari Industrial Corporation (KICL).
Thiru C. Joseph Vijay, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, formally laid the foundation stone for the factory. Emphasizing the project’s strategic importance, Vijay said, “By partnering with industry leaders like Adidas, we are not just building a factory; we are creating a robust ecosystem that integrates world-class technology with our skilled local workforce.”
Dr. Rafiq Ahmed, Executive Chairman of KICL, highlighted the project’s socioeconomic impact. “Footwear is an industry that can create enormous employment and value for the economy,” he noted. He further explained that the facility will prioritize the employment of women, offering competitive salaries along with free food and transportation to ensure significant benefits for their families.
This Phase-II non-leather footwear facility represents an investment of ₹850 crore and is expected to create 6,750 jobs. The total investment is projected to reach ₹1,700 crore, and the production space will be expanded to over one million square feet. Once fully operational, the plant will produce 40 million pairs of shoes for Adidas, employing approximately 13,500 people.
A Growing Footprint in Indian Manufacturing
KICL is rapidly transforming India’s footwear landscape through massive manufacturing hubs, joint ventures with global brands, and strategic value-segment acquisitions. The company has set a target investment of $1 billion over the next five years, with an ambitious goal to achieve an annual production capacity of 100 million pairs.
The company entered the non-leather footwear sector with its first factory in Perambalur, which broke ground in November 2022 and began production within just 11 months. Today, the Perambalur site operates one of India’s largest non-leather footwear industrial parks, utilizing fully automated, world-class facilities to manufacture and export for brands such as Crocs.
Market Outlook and Strategic Diversification
Abhishek Chaudhary, Financial Advisor of Mumbai-based Afropavo Wealth Pvt. Ltd., considers Kothari’s mission both realistic and timely. “With rising labor costs in China and shifting global trade dynamics, India is well-positioned to capture a larger share of the $450+ billion global footwear market,” he noted. “Kothari’s expansion signals confidence in India’s manufacturing capabilities, skilled workforce, and export infrastructure.”
Beyond its major partnerships, KICL maintains a strong market presence through its own retail network, featuring brands like Zodiz and Jeetlo. Furthermore, the company has partnered with France’s Royer Group to manufacture, market, and distribute the international footwear brand Kickers in India and neighboring countries.
With a legacy spanning over a century, the Kothari Group continues to diversify its business interests, operating across sectors including fertilizers, food, education, technology, and drone manufacturing.
