As a leading manufacturer of synthetic sewing threads, Threads India Limited stands at the crossroads of tradition and transformation. With a rich legacy of quality and innovation, the company faces a dynamic set of challenges in adapting to a younger, more demanding workforce and navigating technological upgrades. These shifts have sparked a change in organisational culture and leadership dynamics, pushing the company to explore innovative strategies.

In this candid conversation with Gagan Marwah, VP - Exports, Threads India Pvt Ltd., we delve into Threads India’s approach to addressing these challenges, their evolving HR strategies, leadership development initiatives, and the unique collaboration with Ekaanta Retreat that has left a lasting impact on their teams. Here’s a glimpse into how Threads India is weaving a future of resilience, growth, and transformation.

Can you share some of the significant HR challenges you've encountered in managing a growing workforce, and how has your HR strategy evolved in response? 

Managing a growing workforce at Threads India Limited comes with its own set of challenges. As we expand, maintaining our strong company culture and clear communication has been a priority. 

To address this, we’ve shifted our HR strategy to focus on listening to our employees more closely, offering personalised engagement programs, and creating growth opportunities. By investing in open feedback mechanisms and professional development, we’re building a workplace where our team feels valued and motivated to contribute to our legacy of excellence.

One example is how we are bridging the digital divide in the organisation.  Learning from some other organisations, we created “youth mentors”; young people who worked with senior leaders to bring familiarity with technology.  How to use technology for the benefit of the corporate intent of hiring a more talented workforce was an area that was piloted with very exciting results. 

What kind of leadership development and employee engagement programs do you currently have in place, and how have they impacted your organisation?

We have introduced several leadership development and employee engagement programs that reflect our values at Threads India Limited. For leadership, we focus on developing skills like critical thinking, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. For our wider team, we’ve created programs that promote mental well-being, collaboration, and continuous learning. These initiatives have led to a more engaged and motivated workforce, contributing directly to our productivity and success as a trusted name in the sewing threads industry.

These involve bringing in leadership coaches that do not only workshops for our managers, but more intense sessions with the leadership teams. These coaches work with not only the current leadership team but also those identified for near-future leadership roles. This is what has made TIL a strong magnet for good talent that is coveted in our industry. We are strong believers in bringing professional leadership insights to our teams. 

Employee engagement activities throughout the year involve a mix of R&R programs in conjunction with family engagements ( bring your family to work), CSR activities ( building houses and roads in villages, volunteering teaching time in schools) as well as townhalls with the leadership teams.

We believe each of us has a responsibility to the corporate, to each other as colleagues and to society as responsible citizens and we ensure that all stakeholders are represented and honored in all our engagements.

How did you first come across Ekaanta Retreat, and what prompted you to explore our services for your HR and leadership needs? 

We discovered the Ekaanta Retreat while searching for solutions to enhance leadership development and employee well-being at Threads India Limited. What stood out was Ekaanta’s holistic approach, combining mindfulness with practical strategies for personal and professional growth. Their emphasis on curated experiences, such as Meditation on the Rocks and Sound Healing, Yoga and Ayurvedic therapies all built into the leadership retreat, caught our attention. Additionally, the focus on sustainable lifestyle practices and personalised wellness solutions made Ekaanta an ideal choice for addressing our HR and leadership needs

We were looking to go beyond the standard concrete walled structures offered by our “retreat” partners, especially for leadership programs. 

Ekaanta presented an environment that was a very open canvas where we could put our imagination to work. A mix of indoor and outdoor activities, physical and emotional activities all in a very intimate space. This is what we found was unique, and we though to experiment with a small team.  The results were very favourable. 

As we sought to address challenges like leadership alignment, resilience, and fostering teamwork, Ekaanta’s personalised programs answered our every need. We also took our leadership coach to facilitate some sessions and that worked very well.

I must add the wellness guidance under their co-founder  Manvi’s expertise was eye opening and extremely well received. We all took home personalised diet plans that have changed the way we eat and feel.  The wholesome diet, thoughtfully curated meals and the emphasis on mindful eating further added to the experience, reflecting the importance of nutrition in overall well-being. These elements allowed us to experience a program that promoted both mental clarity and physical rejuvenation. 

How would you describe the co-creation process with Ekaanta, and what was the final outcome of the program? How has it been received by your employees, and what feedback have you gathered? 

The co-creation process with Ekaanta was immersive and thoughtfully structured. From the start, their team worked closely with us to design a program aligned with our organisational culture and goals. Experiences like the Gratitude Ceremony, Foraging Walks, and Sunrise Treks created a space for reflection and connection, while Ayurvedic treatments and wellness sessions under Manvi’s guidance added a deeply personalised touch. The carefully designed meals, rooted in Ayurvedic principles, supported physical and mental rejuvenation, complementing the retreat’s overall intent. 

Our team left not only refreshed but also equipped with practical lifestyle practices—simple and easy-to-adopt routines like mindful breathing exercises, personalised wellness rituals, and nutritional insights. 

The coaching program was extremely effective in this sublime venue, and our team has been raving about this “unique” adventure ever since. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with employees sharing how the retreat has helped them sustain clarity, reduce stress, and enhance focus in their daily lives. 

Ekaanta’s ability to create a lasting impact beyond the retreat itself has made this initiative a resounding success for Threads India.