By M.K.Prabhakar & Mohan Raj
Aruppukottai Sri Jayavilas Mills (SJV), located in Aruppukottai, near Madurai, in Tamil Nadu stands as a shining example of how tradition and technology can seamlessly blend to create world-class products. With a legacy spanning four generations, SJV has grown from modest beginnings to become a trusted name in the global yarn industry.
Our team had the opportunity to interact with Mr. T.R.S. Karthikeyan, Managing Director of Sri Jayavilas Mills, who shared insights into the mill’s rich history, manufacturing prowess, sustainability efforts, and vision for the future.
A Storied Legacy
Tracing the origins of the iconic ‘Sri Jayavilas’ brand, Mr. Karthikeyan reflected on the journey that began in the 1950s under the visionary leadership of Thathanaicker Ramasamy Naicker, fondly known as “Sadhu” Naicker. “He spearheaded the family’s industrial journey through the public transport sector, laying a strong foundation. Building on this success, the family entered the spinning mills business in the 1970s. Aruppukottai Sri Jayavilas Mills was formally established in 1984 by the late Sri T.R. Subburaj, with the steadfast support of his siblings. Today, the fourth generation of the family has also joined the business, carrying forward this proud legacy,” he said.
Diverse Product Range
Elaborating on the mill’s offerings, Mr. Karthikeyan said, “The layout of our mill was thoughtfully designed to ensure versatility across product lines. With distinctly separate vertical material flow streams—A, B, and C—our range covers fine cotton combed yarns in cone and hank form, blended poly-cotton spun yarns for various end-use applications, and eco-friendly products certified under Organic and GRS categories. We spin counts from as low as NE 20s up to NE 120s, catering to both domestic and international markets.”
Robust Manufacturing Infrastructure
SJV’s reputation for a strong manufacturing backbone is well deserved. “Our mill has an installed capacity of about 70,000 spindles, with downstream value-addition processes like TFO, ring doubling, gassing, and reeling covering nearly 60% of the capacity,” Mr. Karthikeyan noted. “We leverage proven process control systems, advanced testing equipment, and technological fine-tuning with the best-in-class machinery brands. This ensures consistent quality across our product spectrum—from single yarns to twisted ply, and from green compact to standard compact yarns.”
Competitive Edge
When asked about what sets SJV apart from its competitors, Mr. Karthikeyan responded, “It’s our versatile range, spanning the spinning spectrum—from 100% fine cotton yarns with different finishes to blended poly-cotton yarns in both cotton-rich and poly-rich variants, available in single and twisted ply. Our large-scale installation allows us to efficiently plan and meet customer delivery schedules, ensuring timely execution—every time.” He added, “These strengths are underpinned by our commitment to ISO and 5S practices, which we’ve integrated across all plant activities and personnel.”
Commitment to Sustainability
SJV’s dedication to sustainability is visible not just in its operations but in the green canopy that surrounds the mill campus. The company’s product lines are certified under GRS, BCI, OEKO-TEX, OCS, and GOTS standards. “We incorporate premium value addition processes like compact spinning and twisting, with built-in energy efficiency measures that support green manufacturing practices,” Mr. Karthikeyan explained. SJV generates nearly 60% of its power consumption through its own multi-location solar farms.
Automation and Digitization
SJV has embraced automation at every stage of production. “From raw cotton bale management and retrieval to bale pluckers, autodoffers, and autoconers, our processes are highly automated,” shared Mr. Karthikeyan. “Further enhancements in material handling, such as BTS systems, are in the pipeline. We also monitor and review our manufacturing processes and energy consumption digitally, 24/7/365.”
The company’s cloud-based ERP system, customized for real-time review of key operational metrics, ensures seamless internal data flow and effective decision-making.
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Mr. Karthikeyan outlined SJV’s ambitious goals: “We are committed to transforming SJV into one of the most reliable, efficient, and high-capacity yarn manufacturers. We are also exploring opportunities to venture into fabric manufacturing, further enhancing our value chain.”
A Responsible Corporate Citizen
Beyond business, Sri Jayavilas Mills takes pride in its social responsibility. “Supporting the local community, which has grown alongside the SJV family for generations, is a core value for us. In this arid region of Tamil Nadu, societal progress and community development have always mattered more to the “Sadhu” Jayavilas family than mere wealth creation,” Mr. Karthikeyan concluded.