Quiet beginnings to global clout: Story of Kamal Kishor Parekh

Kamal Kishor Parekh, CEO of Kokuyo Riddhi Paper Products, is not your usual conventional printer. Starting as a management trainee, assisting in his father’s photography darkroom, and eventually building a paper products export business. Calm and grounded, Kamal reflects on how challenges shaped his decisions, and how perseverance and people-centric thinking have mattered more than short-term gains.

Kamal spent his formative years at the Scindia School in Gwalior. “Astachal, our evening prayer in the open-air amphitheatre at sunset, is still etched in my memory. We wore kurta-pyjama, it was a moment of calm and reflection,” he recalls. Boarding school instilled not only discipline but also a sense of independence that would later influence his leadership style.

Subsequently, Kamal pursued a degree in Chemistry at BITS Pilani and entered the corporate world as a management trainee at Grasim Industries in Nagda. He was inspired by his uncle, IH Parekh, then president of Grasim. “The way he built the town and commanded respect among peers and staff left a mark on me,” Kamal says. His first job laid the foundation for his understanding of operations and systems.

Fate had other plans

Kamal returned to Mumbai to assist his father, Kishor, widely regarded as the father of Indian photojournalism. “He was not just a photographer. He changed how newspapers deployed images,” Kamal says, visibly proud. His father’s work during the Bangladesh Liberation War is legendary. “He smuggled himself into the country, captured powerful images, and later published Bangladesh: A Brutal Birth. The images were raw and unforgettable.” Tragically, Kishor passed away in 1982.

Despite the creative legacy, Kamal never considered a photography career. “It felt too challenging. I never thought I could even come close to what he achieved,” he admits. Nonetheless, he supported the print business of his family. As new technologies emerged and competition increased, the family printing business struggled. “There was a period of uncertainty and realisation that I had to adapt fast.”

Turning point

In 2002, Kamal found an unexpected opportunity in notebook manufacturing. “A school placed a small order, and I took it up. I learned the entire process hands-on. From sourcing paper to printing and binding. That experience was the turning point,” he recalls. His initial setup, Riddhi Enterprises, was a modest shed in Palghar, around 80 km from Mumbai. Kamal’s approach was clear: scale slowly, build efficiently, and keep production in-house in order to ensure quality control.

Over the years, this humble initiative grew into a formidable enterprise. In 2013, the Japanese conglomerate Kokuyo Group offered to buy the company, and a deal was inked. Kamal remained as CEO of the rebranded Kokuyo Riddhi Paper Products. “The Japanese brought systems with discipline and scalability in mind, and they respected our on-ground experience,” he says. True to his belief, the company adopted the motto: People, passion, and performance (in that order). The collaboration combined structured processes with practical knowledge, building on local strengths while expanding with a global vision.

Since 2007, Kamal has been ably supported by his son Aman, who now serves as the deputy CEO, alongside Chhama Gupta, the current COO, who has been with the company since 1987 and has played a significant role in its growth.

Sustainability is the top priority

Kamal says, “We have invested in ETP (effluent treatment plant), STP (sewage treatment plant), and solar energy systems to minimise our environmental impact.” “I am a strong advocate of reducing plastic use, switching to solar energy, and encouraging composting in our daily lives.”

His commitment to community runs just as deep. From donating to hospitals to supporting villagers nearby, his actions reflect a quiet generosity. “Business must always have a human touch,” he says simply.

A passionate traveller, almost every year he and his team make trips to Dubai, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Kashmir. The most fascinating was a Mediterranean cruise covering four countries in seven days. More recently, Kamal was “overawed” by the arrangements at the Rann of Kutch.  “The bonding, memories, and learnings were unforgettable.”

Humanity and technology interplay

“AI will transform how we design, plan, and execute,” he says.

And beneath the whirring of the machines on the factory floor, for Kamal, people remain his greatest asset. The company employs a team of 48 and hires 150 factory workers, with an almost equal gender ratio. “I take great care of my team and constantly motivate them,” he says.

Despite his schedule, Kamal finds balance at his farmhouse. “I enjoy organic farming and spending time with my four pugs, Dobby, Shadow, Buddy, and Sandy, and my three cows. Being with them relieves all stress,” he smiles. He is currently reading the Bhagavad Gita and building a pickleball court on his property.

Beneath the whirring of the machines on the factory floor, for Kamal, people remain his greatest asset

When asked what fuels him, Kamal replies, “Inspiration is everywhere. You need to observe. I enjoy turning ideas into reality, whether it is a product innovation or a community initiative.” Kamal shared that at a nearby location, he has a small unit dedicated to simple innovations that help improve production. One example is a low-cost notebook taping machine named Tape Guru, designed and manufactured by him, which has increased output and added finesse to the final product.

To young entrepreneurs considering the printing space, his advice is straightforward: “Do not run after money. Work hard and diligently. Be responsible, not answerable. Be honest to your own self, and success, fame, and money will follow.”

What next ...

Today, the company operates out of Sawarkhand village in Maharashtra. Recognised as a three-star Export House, the facility spans five acres with 1,00,000-sq/ft of shed area. It produces over 100 SKUs of paper products, which include exercise books, notepads, diaries, and speciality items.

Kokuyo Riddhi exports to over 50 countries, with international sales forming a significant part of its revenue. “We have maintained a 10–15% annual growth rate. Our strength lies in producing a range of SKUs in-house, right from design to packaging,” Kamal explains. He chuckles, “Although this is our prime business, there are so many activities we are involved with, I like telling people that we also make notebooks.”

As our conversation draws to a close, one thing becomes clear: Kamal Kishor Parekh is not driven by ambition alone, but by a quiet, values-led approach to life and business. His journey is not marked by dramatic disruption, but by thoughtful evolution. In a world increasingly obsessed with speed and scale, his story stands as a gentle reminder that resilience, relationships, and quiet conviction can build something truly enduring.