Brand Agappe, Symbol Of Kerala's Manufacturing Prowess

Thomas John belongs to the rare breed of young entrepreneurs in the hi-tech manufacturing sector of Kerala. Using his educational background in moulding his career, he became an example for ‘rolemodel-starved’ Kerala entrepreneurs. From a small firm in 1995, he led Agappe Diagnostics Limited into one of the major players in the In Vitro Diagnostics sector in the country over two-and-a-half decades. This edition of Destination Kerala presents Thomas John and his brainchild Agappe for our readers.

Thomas John, the Managing Director of Agappe Diagnostics Limited, has come a long way on a path taken by very few in the country. When Thomas decided to foray into the field of manufacturing and distribution of medical diagnostic equipment used by laboratories in 1995, less than five years after he finished Electronics and Communication Engineering degree program from Mangalore University, he was virtually peerless. Twenty-three years ago, what the present day business leader had as an asset was only the willingness to learn and mettle to face difficulties and succeed.

At present, Agappe is one of India’s largest and fastest growing companies in the medical diagnostic instruments segment. In a detailed interview to Destination Kerala, the 50-year-old entrepreneur shares the Agappe story. Here are the excerpts from the interview.

How did you enter the diagnostic products industry?

I finished my Engineering degree in 1991. Getting a job was a bit difficult in the early ′90s. So the option was to go to Mumbai (Bombay at that time). My brother was a businessman there. On reaching Mumbai, I landed a job with leading consumer electronics manufacturer Onida. I was the production in-charge of the 14-inch black and white television. It marked the start of my professional career. It was a very different feeling altogether and I really enjoyed it.