Vijaypat Singhania, the industrialist who built Raymond Ltd into India’s largest textile and apparel company, died on Wednesday at age 80, according to family sources. The Padma Bhushan awardee’s death marks the end of an era for one of India’s most recognizable consumer brands.
Singhania served as Raymond’s chairman for over four decades, transforming the Mumbai-based company from a traditional textile manufacturer into a lifestyle conglomerate with interests in shirting, suiting, denim, and real estate. Under his leadership, Raymond became synonymous with premium menswear in India, with the slogan “The Complete Man” becoming part of popular culture.
“Vijaypat Singhania was a visionary who understood the aspirational needs of India’s emerging middle class,” said Anil Kumar, a textile industry analyst. “His marketing acumen and focus on quality made Raymond a household name across the country.”
Born into the Singhania business family in 1943, Vijaypat took control of Raymond in the 1980s and expanded its retail footprint nationally. The company went public in 1995 and diversified into allied sectors including automotive components and engineering.
However, Singhania’s later years were marked by a highly publicized family feud with his son Gautam Singhania, who succeeded him as chairman in 2015. The dispute centered on succession planning and business strategy, with both parties filing legal cases that drew significant media attention.
Industry observers expect Singhania’s death to potentially accelerate consolidation within India’s fragmented textile sector, as Raymond continues its strategic repositioning under current leadership. The company’s stock has gained 15% this year amid broader market optimism about domestic consumption recovery.