Succeeds Dr A. Sakthivel; Focuses on Strengthening Skill Development Across the Apparel and Home Furnishing Sector
The Apparel, Made-Ups & Home Furnishing Sector Skill Council (AMHSSC) has reappointed industry veteran Premal Udani as its Chairman for a two-year term, succeeding Dr A. Sakthivel, who played a significant role in advancing skill development initiatives across the sector.
With more than four decades of experience in the apparel and textile industry, Udani brings extensive expertise and leadership to the position. He heads Kaytee Corporation Pvt Ltd, one of India’s oldest and most established garment manufacturing companies. Over the years, he has actively contributed to several industry bodies, policy forums, and trade organizations, helping shape the growth and competitiveness of India’s textile and apparel sector.
Strengthening the Skill Development Ecosystem
During his previous tenure as Chairman, Udani played a key role in strengthening the skill development ecosystem for the apparel, made-ups, and home furnishing industries. His leadership helped enhance industry alignment, expand training initiatives, and promote capacity building throughout the value chain.
Reflecting on the leadership transition, outgoing Chairman Dr A. Sakthivel expressed confidence in Udani’s ability to lead the organization into its next phase of growth.
“It has been a privilege to lead AMHSSC through a period of rapid evolution. Premal Udani’s deep-rooted understanding of the global supply chain and his commitment to the Indian apparel story make him the ideal leader to take this council to new heights. I am certain his vision will further bridge the skill gap in our industry,” said Dr Sakthivel.
Vision for the Next Two Years
Accepting the responsibility, Premal Udani emphasized the importance of building a skilled and future-ready workforce to support India’s ambitions in the global textile and apparel market.
“I am deeply honored by the trust the Board has placed in me once again. Our focus for the next two years will be to further scale our skilling initiatives and ensure that every trainee is equipped with the skills required by modern global brands. Skilling, upskilling, and reskilling will be the cornerstone of India’s ambition to become a global leader in textiles and apparel,” he said.
Udani added that he looks forward to collaborating with industry stakeholders to strengthen workforce capabilities and drive sustainable sectoral growth.
Industry Welcomes Leadership Continuity
Welcoming the appointment, Ashish Srivastava, CEO of AMHSSC, highlighted the significance of continuity in leadership at a time when the industry is rapidly evolving.
“We are delighted to welcome Shri Premal Udani as Chairman. His unparalleled industry experience and strategic vision will significantly strengthen our efforts to scale skilling initiatives and enhance industry alignment. We also express our sincere gratitude to Dr A. Sakthivel for his outstanding leadership and invaluable contributions to the Council,” he said.
Building a Competitive Global Workforce
The leadership transition is viewed as a strategic step toward strengthening industry-academia collaboration, expanding training outreach, and ensuring that India’s textile and apparel workforce remains globally competitive.
As the sector continues to evolve amid technological advancements and changing market demands, AMHSSC aims to further accelerate skill development programs, support workforce modernization, and contribute to the long-term growth of India’s apparel, made-ups, and home furnishing industries.
