Ch. M. Khushi

For many of us the individuals like Chaudry Mohammed Khushi who made us see what was possible, what could be done, and where our community might go in the future. The legacy of his life will be passed on in the activities of many of our outstanding businessmen and others and we commemorate him with honour.

Scotland's multi-millionaire, Chaudry Mohammed Khushi, the clothing tycoon for Trespass brand of sportswear, and chairman of Jacob & Turner, a Glasgow-based sportswear firm, who passed away on Sunday the 25th March 2007 in Glasgow. He achieved much since he arrived in Glasgow in 1951 and left a lot to be proud of both for his family and for his successful business empire. He was born in Ludiana, India on July 6, 1926, attended high school in Tehsil Jagrawan before joining the Indian Army in 1942. He served during the Second World War and in 1945 he joined the government health department of India.

In 1947, he migrated to Pakistan and lived in Faisalabad. He came to Newcastle in 1951, but stayed only two weeks before moving up to Glasgow to join a relative. He began selling door to door and carried on until 1965 when he bought a grocery shop.

One of his regular customers in the shop was a Mr Jacob who had a factory manufacturing police clothing. Mr Jacob was depressed with his family and work and Mr Khushi offered to buy the factory from him for one Thousand Sterling Pounds. Mr Jacob accepted the offer and also agreed to continue running the place for Mr Khushi.

Mr Khushi sold his shop and moved into the clothing business as the new owner of Jacob and Turner Ltd. This was Mr Khushi’s big break and never really looked back. The factory had just 12 machinists and was around 1200 sq ft. After a year he moved the factory to a larger site of 4,000 sq ft where he had 30 more machinists.

At this time he took the advice of a friend and began to manufacture anoraks which were then becoming very fashionable. The business took off and became incredibly successful. In 1977 Mr Khushi bought 10,000 sq ft site in Glasgow’s Argyle Street. It was at this stage that his youngest son Akmal Khushi joined him in the business.

His eldest son, Afzal Khushi, had been reluctant to join him in the business as he felt there would be little time to pursue his other interests. However, having concluded his pharmacy studies at university he too joined the family business and has never regretted his action.

The two brothers began an import and export company in 1980 and this has proved a great success. The company, using the Trespass brand name, now export to over 50 countries covering most of the Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, America, Chile and Argentina. They have offices in Hong Kong and spend millions annually on trade fairs and exhibitions. The company also have 12 retail outlets in the UK, including one at the Braehead Shopping centre near Glasgow.

They have three large distribution warehouses and have developed a seven and a half acre site for a new distribution centre and international offices at a cost of over five Million Sterling Pounds and located near Glasgow’s city centre. The family business, which has grown so very large in such a short time, has succeeded because they have kept the customers happy and fulfilled their customer’s requirements and developed their expansion through thorough and careful planning. It seems likely that this company will thrive and prosper with a new generation leading the company into even greater prosperity.