A strong and enduring connection between the Israeli Police force and Kerala is evident through a textile factory situated in Kannur. Over the span of the last eight years, this factory, known as Maryan Apparel Private Limited, has been engaged in the meticulous craft of creating uniforms for the Israeli Police, consistently delivering an impressive quantity of approximately one lakh units per year.
What sets this association apart is the commitment to quality, with Israeli Police officials making an annual pilgrimage to the factory to conduct thorough quality inspections on the uniforms. The ownership of this industrious enterprise rests in the capable hands of Thomas Olickal, a Mumbai-based individual hailing from Kerala.
The factory manager, Shijin Kumar, expounded on the fascinating journey of this factory's engagement with the Israeli Police. He revealed that this intriguing partnership began with an inquiry from the Israeli authorities eight years ago. Since then, the factory has steadfastly supplied uniforms, effectively weaving the fabric of their collaboration. Shijin further highlighted the factory's prior experience in providing uniforms to the Philippian Army and government officials in Kuwait. However, the distinctive Israeli connection blossomed as Israeli police officials made a dedicated visit to Kerala to closely inspect the factory's operations before sealing the agreement for uniform supply.
Their consistency in delivering the required orders each year has been a hallmark of their commitment to this collaboration. The company's presence in Kerala was originally established in Thiruvananthapuram but was subsequently relocated to Kannur, where it has flourished.
Impressively, this industrial enterprise provides employment opportunities to a substantial workforce comprising around 1,500 employees, with more than 95% of them being women. Furthermore, the company places great emphasis on employee development, offering specialized training to equip them with the skills required to meet the industry's rigorous standards.
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