From scrap was conceived a thought that has now developed into a Rs 60 crore turnover furniture and home stylistic theme business

 Hritesh Lohiya lost a few lakhs of rupees in several organizations he began as a young person not long after moving on from school. However, because of his never-say-pass-on soul and determination, his fortunes pivoted after he and his significant other Priti hit upon looking for abundance from squander. The couple began making furniture from a metal piece in 2005. A portion of their momentous piece developments incorporates Ambassador Car Sofa and Rajdoot Bar Table.

Hritesh Lohiya lost several lakhs of rupees in a couple of businesses he started as a youngster soon after graduating from college. The couple started making furniture from metal scrap in 2005. It is called Rajdoot Bar Table, says Hritesh.

“We primarily use blankets and army uniform waste that we get in bulk from the Jodhpur military scrapyard at meager prices, says Priti. Today, they make all types of furniture and home decor items, and their company Priti International Ltd is listed on the NSE with an annual turnover of Rs 60 crore. I failed at every business I tried, but never gave up, says Hritesh, 50, who was exposed to business at a very early age when he started assisting his father while studying in college.

“I barely attended classes during my college days, says the Jodhpur businessman, who finished Class 12 from Jodhpur’s Mahesh Public School. After his graduation, Hritesh didn’t wish to continue in his father’s company. He secured a bank loan of Rs 7 lakh and started a granite cutting business. The cutting machine was the most expensive investment in the business, says Hritesh, who was devastated by the loss.

Shortly after that, I began dealing with granite stones in the South India region, since I had explored the industry before starting my stone cutting unit.” His business involved purchasing stones on credit from wholesalers in Jodhpur and selling them to Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru merchants.

After two years, in 1996, he exited the granite business and dabbled in stock market trading along with a friend. It took me five grueling years to get out of it all, says Hritesh. In those years he worked at his father’s chemical plant. It was around 2002 that he noticed the empty chemical containers lying around at his father’s factory, and a brilliant idea came to his mind. He thought of turning the drums into helpful furniture and discussed the concept with Priti who jumped in immediately.

“We took pictures of the samples and posted the photos on our blog that we had created,” shares Hritesh. “Fortunately, a customer from the US contacted us.” The US client expressed interest in visiting Jodhpur and asked Hritesh whether he had a manufacturing plant. In fact, I had no idea he would arrive in Jodhpur from the US, says Hritesh.

The US client, Loren Spendlove, an entrepreneur, placed the first order in 2004 for Rs 25 lakh worth of furniture. I shared with him my problem and told him I needed his help to finish the order,” recalls Hritesh, on how he cracked the deal with no factory setup or money in hand. Loren continued to help them to develop their business.

He invited Hritesh to accompany him to China during his business trips and let him observe how the Chinese operated. “The Chinese were making antique furniture items. They made fresh models of antique furniture and also refurbished old furniture,” says Hirtesh, who makes similar items at Priti International today.

They have three manufacturing plants in Jodhpur. “We didn’t need to borrow any money to fund the expansion; we paid for it all with our own funds,” says Hritesh. In 2017, Priti International became a listed company and its turnover touched Rs 60 crore in 2021-22.

Priti International Limited is now focusing on the domestic market and has plans to open stores in Jodhpur, Bengaluru, and Pune. Hritesh and Priti have two daughters, Ritika (24) and Ruchika (21). Hritesh’s message to aspiring entrepreneurs: “I started my business from minus, not even zero.

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