In the vibrant world of Indian entrepreneurship, few stories exemplify the power of grit and principled leadership like this one from The Journey With Simarpreet Singh. Hosted by Simarpreet Singh, this episode features Dr. PJ Singh, the founder and managing director of Tyor—India’s largest orthopedic appliance company. His story is not just a tale of business success; it’s a masterclass in building a global manufacturing brand from scratch and a blueprint for resilience and innovation.
Dr. Singh’s journey began with empathy and pure grit. He saw a massive gap in the Indian market for high-quality, affordable orthopedic products, which was dominated by expensive imports. With no digital tools in the 1990s, he personally surveyed nearly 900 chemist shops across the country to understand customer needs firsthand. This meticulous, on-the-ground research became the bedrock of his business, proving that the strongest ventures are built on an authentic understanding of the market.
This episode stands out because it’s not just about success, but about responding to failure. Dr. Singh shares the powerful story of having to shut down his business early on due to a substandard third-party manufacturer. This setback didn’t break him; it redefined him. It became the catalyst for building his own in-house manufacturing facility, laying the foundation for Tyor’s core principles of uncompromised quality and excellence. His journey is a profound lesson in resilience, showing how our greatest challenges often provide the clearest path forward.
One of the most enlightening parts of the conversation is Dr. Singh’s explanation of lean management. Inspired by the Toyota Production System (TPS), he developed his own framework to make these complex global theories practical for his team. This philosophy, combined with an unwavering focus on customer delight through QCD (Quality, Cost, Delivery) and high ethical standards, became the engine of Tyor’s global growth.
The podcast also explores Dr. Singh’s forward-thinking approach to scaling a business. In a country where many founders fear “losing control,” his perspective on using private equity to professionalize management and create wealth for his team is a game-changer. It’s a powerful lesson in leadership and building a lasting institution, not just a business. Dr. Singh’s journey is proof that ethics and a people-centric culture are the strongest competitive advantages in building a trusted, global brand.
Key Takeaways from the Conversation:
- Your greatest insights come from the ground, not Google.
- Failure is a restart with more wisdom and resilience.
- Adopt and adapt global best practices, don’t just copy.
- Build a lasting institution, not just a business.
- Strong ethics are your greatest competitive advantage.
You can find the full video here: https://youtu.be/Pd4vzPPsFxk?si=o95aHvhVNNelkaKo
