In a strategic move that expands its scope beyond software, Zoho Corporation announces its entry into manufacturing with Karuvi, signalling a significant shift in the company’s trajectory under the leadership of CEO Sridhar Vembu.
The decision, unveiled recently, underscores Zoho’s commitment to innovation across various industries. Vembu revealed that after two years of intensive research and development, Zoho is ready to commence commercial production of a range of power tools under the Karuvi brand.
“After extensive design iterations, we are proud to introduce a suite of tools ready for commercialization. Karuvi, which means ‘tool’ in Tamil, represents our foray into the manufacturing realm,” stated Vembu in a company announcement.
The move into manufacturing marks a departure from Zoho’s traditional software-centric focus and reflects its eagerness to explore new avenues for growth and impact. With Karuvi, Zoho aims to leverage its expertise and resources to disrupt the tool industry and deliver innovative solutions to consumers.
The genesis of Karuvi traces back to a pivotal encounter between Vembu and a Zoho customer, Mr. Abdul Gafoor, during the pandemic. Gafoor, the owner of Mr. Light Global, envisioned Zoho diversifying into manufacturing handheld tools, citing the company’s potential to make a difference in the market.
“Although initially hesitant due to our lack of expertise in manufacturing, we were inspired by the opportunity to create employment opportunities in rural areas,” recounted Vembu. “This led us to establish a dedicated engineering team, and after rigorous development, Karuvi was born,” he added.
The launch of Karuvi signifies Zoho’s strategic pivot towards diversification and innovation, aligning with its broader mission of driving positive change through technology. By venturing into manufacturing, Zoho aims to set new standards for quality and excellence while staying true to its core values of customer-centricity and inclusivity.
As Zoho embarks on this exciting new chapter with Karuvi, it anticipates a future filled with growth, innovation, and meaningful impact in the manufacturing landscape.
