Our Story
Your Trusted Partner for Quality Cleaning Solutions Since 1990
Our Origin & Responsibility
SLM industry was established in early 1990s at Madurai, India. Currently, the factory covers an overall area of 70000 sq ft without compromising the traditional practices followed for the past 20 years.
Massive Manufacturing
SLM has a massive manufacturing facility that produces high-quality cleaning products.
High Production Rate
We deliver trendy products at a high production rate to meet market demands.
Nationwide Reach
We thank our distributors who made SLM products reach every corner of India.
We're here for Mops & Brushes, providing the best cleaning solutions for homes and businesses across India. Our products are made with care and attention to detail, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality and durability.
Our Founder's Story
From Mills to Mops: The Journey of SP. Lakshmanan
A constant feature on every household shopping list is a floor mop. Nowadays, even house staff insist they will only work in homes with a sturdy mop.
SP. Lakshmanan realized this in 1980 and began making mops from the small hamlet of Nagamalai Pudukkotai, just 10km from Madurai. Before this success, life was a struggle for Lakshmanan and his family, giving him wisdom beyond his years.
"We had stared at the face of failure for 15 long years and most people would have been left with a broken spirit, but I never lost my confidence to succeed. I kept thinking if not the yarn business, what variation from the yarn business can I do?"
- SP. Lakshmanan
In 1980, Lakshmanan came up with the idea of manufacturing mops. He cleverly modified some of the mill machinery to spin cotton threads needed for mops. It was a long shot that hit the bull's eye. With few mop manufacturers in the 1980s, the commercial market was promising, especially in North India.
Starting with just 500 mops a day under the brand name SLM, Lakshmanan established a foothold in the housekeeping materials market across India. He made it a point to have the entire manufacturing process under one roof - from buying raw cotton to spinning, twisting threads, plastic molding, metal fabrication, powder coating, assembly, and packing.
Today, SLM is home to more than 100 varieties of mops, continuously fine-tuning designs for better performance. With around 220 employees from in and around Nagamalai, the cottage industry works throughout the week on a shift basis. Growth has been steady since 1990, with maximum expansion after 2000. Now producing around 30,000 pieces per day, SLM mops are selling well across the country.
Our Values & Achievements
Quality First Approach
"I firmly believe in my heart that if we are true to our job and give quality products, a manufacturer's job is done at the packing stage. The product will sell itself and the quality will stand the test of time."
SLM mops sell themselves because consumers are smart and look at the pricing and durability of a product. They then choose the brands that work best for them.
Innovation & Improvement
Lakshmanan frequently travels abroad to attend exhibitions like 'Clean UK' and 'Clean China' - not to sell products, but to learn about new machines and technologies.
With strong technical skills and hands-on knowledge of machinery, he implements these innovations in his manufacturing unit, constantly improving SLM products.
Products for Everyone
SLM caters to all sections of society, manufacturing both commercial and domestic mops - from low-priced basic models to higher-end heavy-duty twist models.
Pricing is carefully considered because even rural households have switched to using mops for cleaning. SLM ensures their products are effective, hygienic, and affordable for daily cleaning routines.
Community Values
"I have deeply benefited from the morals and values taught in every Chettiar home - respect others and they will respect you, and have empathy for others."
From humble beginnings to success, Lakshmanan gives back to the community. The proceeds from a kalyana mandapam he built go entirely to maintaining the village temple - his way of showing gratitude for his blessings.
Our Competitive Edge & Future Vision
Made in India, For India
While we face competition from international manufacturers, our products have a distinct advantage - they are made specifically for Indian homes and businesses, with an understanding of local cleaning needs and preferences.
"I face stiff competition from China as the standard of their mops are good, but they cannot compete with our prices. Pakistan and Indonesia manufacturers are slowly waking up to the mop market and are the current competitors."
Quality Products
Our mops are designed to be sturdy, effective, and long-lasting. We use high-quality materials and maintain strict quality control throughout the manufacturing process.
Affordable Pricing
We believe that good cleaning tools should be accessible to everyone. Our pricing strategy ensures that households across India, from urban apartments to rural homes, can afford our products.
Complete Manufacturing
Unlike many competitors who outsource parts of their production, we handle the entire manufacturing process under one roof, giving us better control over quality and costs.
Looking to the Future
While SLM has achieved significant success in the Indian market, we are now looking beyond our borders. We have already begun exporting to the United Kingdom through a merchandiser in Mumbai, and we see great potential for expansion into other international markets.
As we grow, we remain committed to our core values of quality, affordability, and innovation. We will continue to improve our products, expand our range, and bring the best cleaning solutions to homes and businesses across India and beyond.