For K Madhavan, Managing Director, Peps Industries Pvt Ltd, buoying up his ante on 'Great Sleep Stores' across India, he definitely knows the key to ‘stress busting’. Being at the helms of Coimbatore-based inner spring mattress manufacturing company, Peps Industries Pvt Ltd, he has been associated with building mattresses for over 30 years and his links with the ‘Peps’ brand has taken the concept of healthy sleep beyond mere mattresses and pillows. Peps Industries, which began operations in 2010, has close to 56% market share in the spring mattresses segment. Plans are to extend its lines to bed sheets, fitting sheet to absorb sweat, duvets and large-scale quilts panels et al. It is estimated that the company produces close to over two lakh mattresses annually and operates three plants, including the prime unit at Coimbatore. The company has recently developed an app that calculates what pressure points the mattress should take in a scientific manner as part of good ‘sleep’ technology. He realised that with India’s workforce becoming a part of the global community and economy, the demands of a modern 24/7 life would generate fatigue and burnout in the long run. And since then, he has steered to promote Peps as a brand that could go beyond bedding and accessories to become an entire ‘Sleep Solutions Company’. As with corporate branding and strategy, he speaks of his hobbies as his commitment for a good life. So, when not testing mattresses on beds, Mr Madhavan is tending to his garden, playing tennis or creating artwork on canvas; besides running his corporate life
K Madhavan had envisaged the perils of a 24/7 work-life society, way back in 2007, and whipped up a strategy to defatigue a nation that would be clamouring for a restful ‘slumber’. As for him, his fatigue is taken care of either by tending to his garden, volleying on tennis court or brushing up strokes on canvas.
“Playing tennis and visiting my garden are part of my every day routine. So, I make sure I spend at least 1.5 hours a day with these passions of mine,” said Madhavan.
Gardening was a passion which Madhavan had picked up way back in the 1980s when he worked alongside his father in Bengaluru. “As a young boy, my father would take me to the fields and explain in detail how gardening works. I fondly remember, he would make me carry buckets of water to each and every plant since there were no hoses in those days.” An ardent gardener, Madhavan says, “I enjoy gardening the most, as it makes me feel like I am one with nature. The feeling of nature all around me arouses in me a feeling of sublime satisfaction. Also, it is an excellent stress remover. Back then, Bengaluru was much more spacious as well. For someone with green fingers, it is unique to find equal passion in enjoying a robust sport like tennis; as also wield a paintbrush with equal ease and eagerness. Each of my hobbies is a major stress buster. I play tennis early in the morning as well as in the evening. It helps me find my focus and blur out everything else around me.”
Tennis for Madhavan is a relatively new passion, but no less invigorating. “When my elder son was about four years, I wanted to enroll him for a sport and we chanced upon tennis. Since I had a membership at a club that had a tennis court, I thought it would be good to use it, as it helped me get off my desk and break the monotony of my day. Painting is a hobby I consider dearly. But, that is something I have no idea how I picked it up as no one in my family does it,” he says.
However, his hobbies remain part of his inner space not to be shared much with those outside his domain. “I don’t generally even share my hobbies with others, as I consider it a personal experience,” he reveals.
As a young boy, my father would take me to the fields and explain in detail how gardening works. I fondly remember, he would make me carry buckets of water to each and every plant since there were no hoses in those days
“I have developed this habit, wherein, every time I visit a foreign country and I spend time in the art galleries there, attend events and try to meet the artists myself. I believe paintings give a new dimension to things and even have a collection of paintings myself. Currently, I am working on a Kerala mural painting myself.” His hobbies, especially painting have helped him imbibe a deep sense of creativity within himself. In fact, his artistic bent enables him to involve in the creative storyboard for his ‘Peps’ advert campaigns. “At work, I actively participate in building the creative for the Peps advertisements and promotional activities.” At times, he attempts to establish connect with his employees via his artwork. “I sometimes share my paintings with the employees as I think it can help us connect on a deeper level.”
He derives a sense of pride when his family compliments him for his artwork. “When guests come over to my house, my family takes great pride in showing them my paintings. And, they always seem amused at how I am able to juggle my work and passions at the same time. This makes me feel happy as it reminds me that I am not wasting the precious time that I have been given in this world-that I have mastered the secret of time management.”
By Sangeeta Ghosh Dastidar
