The art of legacy: How Khimji Ramdas blends tradition with progress

Khimji Ramdas has become a beacon of success, trust, and innovation over the course of 150 years, alongside becoming a case study in maintaining a company’s identity across multiple generations. The Omani powerhouse has seamlessly blended tradition with modernity and continues to uphold the values that have made its name synonymous with quality. Nailesh Khimji, a director at the Khimji Ramdas Group, sheds light on the importance of values, legacy, and community in the making of this enduring success.

1. How has Khimji Ramdas managed to maintain its reputation for trust, quality, and innovation over such a long period, and what are the key factors contributing to this success?

Khimji Ramdas has been a trusted name in the region since 1870. Our reputation is built on partnering with global brands known for their high standards. We have adopted the best practices from these partnerships, integrating them into our operations while staying true to our family traditions and ethics.

With each generation, including the fifth and sixth, we have ensured that our business values remain consistent. Maintaining strong relationships with our principals has been key to this trust. These relationships create a win-win situation for our consumers, who can always rely on the quality of the products we offer. When challenges arise, we work closely with our partners to find fair solutions, ensuring that the interests of both the consumer and the manufacturer are protected.

1. You’ve expanded the company’s operations in shipping and tourism in the Middle East. What opportunities do you see in these sectors, and how do they align with Khimji Ramdas' overall vision? 

For Khimji Ramdas to sustain growth, we recognize the importance of regional expansion. Oman has been an excellent market, contributing significantly to our profitability and growth. However, to avoid stagnation, we must continue to explore new opportunities. Tourism and logistics present substantial opportunities, particularly as low-hanging fruit.

We have already established a presence in tourism and logistics in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with additional expansion into India and other countries on the horizon. These sectors align with our overall vision of becoming a prominent regional player while continuing to support Oman's growth.

1. What is the company’s current focus, both in terms of geography and the diverse industries it serves?

Our current focus is on becoming a significant regional player. We have witnessed how companies from other GCC countries have successfully expanded regionally and made their nations proud, and we aim to do something similar. Geographical expansion in the industries where we already operate - such as consumer goods, luxury, logistics, and infrastructure - is a key priority.

Expanding regionally serves two purposes: first, it ensures the continued growth of Khimji Ramdas, providing ample opportunities for the next generation, and second, it benefits Oman by enhancing the skills and regional knowledge of our Omani employees. We are committed to contributing to the brand of Oman and helping our employees gain experience in the broader region.

1. Khimji Ramdas’ growth has been in parallel with the growth of Oman itself. How much of a priority does your company place on supporting this burgeoning economy?

The growth of Khimji Ramdas is intrinsically linked to Oman’s growth. The nation's Vision 2040 has provided a clear framework for national development, and we are aligned with these goals. Oman’s strategic geographic location offers significant opportunities in logistics, where Khimji Ramdas already plays a substantial role.

We also see tremendous potential in tourism. As Oman expects a boom in this sector, we are poised to contribute to and benefit from this growth. Our involvement in tourism not only promotes Oman as a destination but also enhances the availability of luxury brands and products, making the country more attractive to tourists and investors alike. We are committed to balancing our business objectives with our contribution to Oman’s economic development.

Additionally, Khimji Ramdas has expanded its luxury lifestyle footprint into key markets such as India and Saudi Arabia. Our growth in these regions not only complements our operations in Oman but also aligns with our broader strategy of becoming a prominent player in the global luxury space. This expansion further strengthens our brand's presence and provides a platform for introducing Oman to new international markets.

1. As the fifth generation of leadership, how has your family’s legacy influenced your leadership style and business decisions? 

The legacy of our family has had a profound impact on my leadership style and business vision. The fourth generation laid a strong foundation with their strategic decision-making, and as the fifth generation, we have built upon that with our global education and ideas. Our generation has focused on regional expansion, establishing operations in India and Saudi Arabia over the last two decades. We anticipate that the sixth generation will take this further by exploring global opportunities.

However, it is crucial that the next generation also embraces our established way of doing business - our ethics, values, and principles. There are specific sectors, such as education and healthcare that we choose not to enter for profit, as we believe these should remain within the realm of charity. We hope that future generations will continue to uphold these guidelines, though they are not rigid rules but ethical considerations that align with our family’s values.

1. Looking ahead, what is your message for the coming generations of leaders at Khimji Ramdas? How do you envision continuing to scale and grow the business while staying true to its core values and heritage?

In the past, the fourth and fifth generations often intertwined charity with business. Today, we have established clear guidelines: charitable activities should be managed by our dedicated arm, the Eshraqa Foundation, while Khimji Ramdas should focus solely on business growth and profitability.

We want the next generation to understand that every decision at Khimji Ramdas should prioritize the company's growth. By separating philanthropic efforts from business operations, we have made it easier for future leaders to navigate and make decisions that benefit the company. This approach ensures the business’s sustainable growth and honors the legacy we have inherited.

About Khimji Ramdas

For over 150 years, Khimji Ramdas (KR) has been a beacon of excellence in the business world, encompassing diverse sectors such as Lifestyle, Consumer Products, Projects & Logistics, and Infrastructure. With a presence in the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and strategic partnerships in India with industry giants like Procter & Gamble, Rolex, Kellogg's, and Britannia, Khimji Ramdas is synonymous with trust, quality, and innovation. In the UAE, they have operated a commodities distribution business for the past 40 years and have recently expanded into shipping and relocation services. KR has also extended its presence to Saudi Arabia with the opening of retail outlets for Samsonite and American Tourister luggage.

 About Nailesh Khimji

Nailesh Khimji, a director at Khimji Ramdas, represents the fifth generation of leadership. Credited with diversifying the business, he has established key partnerships with P&G, Rolex, and Kellogg’s in India, and expanded operations in shipping and tourism in the Middle East. Nailesh is not only a renowned business figure but also the founder of ‘Eshraqa’, Khimji Ramdas’ CSR arm, focusing on education, health, and community welfare, particularly empowering youth and women. Besides his active involvement in the group’s operations and CSR activities, Nailesh Khimji is a board member of the Omani-French Friendship Association. He also serves on the Cultural Council of Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH) and is involved with the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève. He has also been an active member of the Young Presidents Organization since 2007, where he has held various roles.