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Pokarna’s Journey: A Story of Vision, Technology and Long-Term Partnership
The CEO Magazine has featured Gautam Chand Jain, Founder & Chief Promoter of Pokarna, in an article retracing the company’s evolution from granite exports to global leadership in premium granite and engineered quartz surfaces.
The article highlights Pokarna’s strategic move into quartz production and the role of Breton’s technology and know-how in supporting this transformation, including dedicated training in Italy for Pokarna’s team.
For Breton, this story is a powerful example of how long-term partnerships, advanced manufacturing and a shared commitment to excellence can help shape new standards in the engineered stone industry.
Today, Pokarna’s premium quartz and granite surfaces reach markets worldwide.
When Gautam Chand Jain first shared his plans to launch a stone export company, many regarded the idea as unrealistic.
“I started this company in 1991, though I came from a textile background,” Pokarna’s Founder and Chief Promoter tells The CEO Magazine.
“I wanted to get into an export-related business, and my textile business was purely domestic. Many of my friends questioned the decision, asking, ‘Gautam, how can you even consider entering this business?’ However, having already invested in a quarry, I felt there was no turning back and resolved to move forward and see how it unfolded.’”
In 2025, Pokarna generated more than US$100 million in revenue exporting its engineered quartz and premium granite countertops across North America, Europe and Asia. It’s fair to say his friends need not have worried.
Demonstrating durability
However, what today shines as a model of success for budding entrepreneurs has not emerged from the ether.
“We only started producing granite from the quarry, and my initial focus was on traveling across the globe to identify the markets. I realized that if I put in my best efforts, there would be a demand,” he reflects.
“I also realized that the United States was the biggest market. And fortunately, granite was very novel.”
“We always look to be the best in the world, but not the biggest.”
Gautam Chand Jain - Founder & Chief Promoter - Pokarna LtdA strategic pivot
Pokarna’s granite achieved significant success in the American market, with Jain noting that it was effectively sold under near-monopoly conditions. It was a surprise conversation with a customer, however, that inspired the company’s most significant pivot to date.
“They suggested to me, ‘Why don’t you look at making quartz?’ It was a very new thing for me,” he admits.
“I asked what quartz was, because I used to see watches with quartz. But they told me that it could become a countertop.”
With the support of its long-standing technology partner Breton, which had developed a specialist machine to transform raw quartz into countertops, Pokarna decided to make the strategic shift and sent a team out to be trained on Breton’s machines.
“We located five bright youngsters, and we sent them to Italy for training for this new product line, and we succeeded in making the best-of-the-best product,” he says.
Guiding philosophy
Jain has carried various maxims with him through his career, which continue to guide his decision-making as Chief Promoter.
“We always look to be the best in the world, but not the biggest,” he says. “We always strive to bring in the best technology in production, and we go to the extent of sending our team to Italy for training. There is no technology that we don’t use yet in our industry.”
He also admits to having a perfectionist streak.
“I am passionate about whatever I do, but I do it in my own way. Either I do it and it has to be the best or I don’t do it – there is nothing in between,” he notes.
“But the most important principle is ethical business practices and customer confidence. And a simple example of this is that my first customer in the stone business is my best customer, even today.
“My first vendor is my best vendor. My banker is the only banker I’ve been banking with for the past 51 years. My first employees are still my employees today.”
“We always think differently, combining our creativity and experience to create something better than the original.”
Gautam Chand Jain - Founder & Chief Promoter - Pokarna LtdJain prides himself on his long-term relationships, which he says are built on the foundations of mutual benefit, loyalty and unwavering trust.
“As long as you are fair and you look at the win–win situation, the relationships will continue,” he points out. “If you look only at your advantage, it will never last long. They may be forced to change suppliers or I may be forced to change vendors.
“But when we have this comfort factor that is long-term relationships and we spend time, not just for business but to understand each other, that is so important to the business.”
This allows Jain to continue to lead Pokarna forward, unabashedly embracing innovation, luxury and originality.
“I always believe in being ahead of everyone else, but I don’t believe in copying,” he says.
“We always think differently, combining our creativity and experience to create something better than the original.”
Jain’s journey proves that conviction, curiosity and uncompromising standards can transform even the most unlikely beginnings into enduring industry leadership.