John George
Gauri Nair
Fatema Jariwala
Aditya Rai
Falguni Sharma
Goa Institute of Management
Divya Singhal
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FootPro is changing the face of healthcare in South India with revolutionary solutions in foot health and mobility. Operating at multiple centers situated across the region, the company uses the most advanced German technology and years of healthcare experience to treat conditions that range from diabetic foot complications and orthopedic difficulties to sports-related injuries.
Committed to affordability and quality, FootPro empowers everyone from all walks of life to take confident, pain-free steps toward better health. It's more than just a service: it's a movement inspiring active, fulfilling lives. It is Changing Lives through Sustainable Solutions in Foot Care, claims Hair Nair, its managing director.
Advancing Health and Well-Being
Footpro’s concentration in foot care pertains to diabetic conditions, orthopedic issues, and sports problems, all of which are in line with the global agenda of ensuring good health and wellness. By addressing symptoms like gangrene and preventing neuropathy in diabetics, helps ensure decent mobilization and improved quality of life for healthy living.
Inspiring Innovations and Making Infrastructure-Hits
Footpro does this in consideration with the other goals on industry, innovation, and infrastructure, using world-class technology like 3D foot scanning, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) modeling, and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) milling to manufacture precise insoles. Healthcare infrastructure will be strengthened in foot care with German-standard, high-quality, but affordable solutions.
The Creation of Decent Work and Economic Staffs
Footpro contributes to good jobs and promotes economic growth by training professionals in advanced technologies and manufacturing processes of foot-care devices. Through affordable and effective solutions, they improve economic productivity by mobility and health effects.
Promoting Sustainable Consumption And Production
Promoting the principle of clean consumption and production is making toxin-free, antibacterial, or antifungal materials part of its insoles and footwear. Via preventive care, these promote not only reducing waste of valuable resources through haywire reliance on treatment after the fact but also a future that is healthier and much more sustainable.
Key aspects of FootPro’s innovation include:
• 3D and 2D Foot Scanning: Using advanced German scanning technology to analyse an individual’s foot structure, highlighting pressure points, arch issues, and problem areas.
• Customized Insoles: Designed using CAD and precision-milled to fit each foot, these insoles provide tailored support which helps distribute weight evenly and alleviate pain.
• Focus on Prevention: By offering arch support and pressure offloading, FootPro helps prevent severe complications like ulcers, neuropathy, and deformities in individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes.
FootPro’s commitment to affordable and accessible care ensures that even complex foot problems are addressed in a way that is simple, effective, and easy to adopt into daily life. For more information on their journey and offerings, visit https://www.footpro.in/
In the bustling streets of Kerala, Nair, a determined mechanical engineer, was navigating the labyrinth of entrepreneurship. He started by going through a series of ventures that tested his grit and resolve. "Every setback taught me a lesson," said Nair, believing that every disaster is an opportunity in disguise. It led him to an unexpected revelation: India's glaring gap in foot care solutions.
When Nair met a Kerala sports captain, who had to travel regularly to Chennai to spend money on expensive conventional insoles to manage chronic foot pain, the seed was sown. Hearing the pain the captain went through, Nair had an idea about a business opportunity that could be something revolutionary for the foot: FootPro.
The innovation of using CAD/CAM technology for customized insoles has significantly improved foot care by addressing conditions such as flat feet, diabetic foot complications, and pregnancy-related foot pain. This technology allows for precise 3D foot scans, ensuring tailored solutions for each individual. In the short term, it improved accessibility and outcomes for patients, as evidenced by serving over 100,000 customers within 11 years with a satisfaction rate of over 90%. The founder noted, “Whoever came and got the product, they were happy with the product. So we knew that the product was working well for them,” Nair explained. Additionally, the company’s focus on engaging doctors and raising public awareness helped bridge a critical gap in the underdeveloped foot care market in India.
In the long term, the innovation is poised to transform the foot care industry in India. By integrating advanced yet cost-effective solutions, such as locally sourced materials and affordable technology, the innovation addresses the significant barriers of cost and awareness. As he noted, “The awareness is not there, but maybe in another 10, 15, or 20 years, it will come." This shift could reduce chronic conditions such as obesity in children with flat feet and complications from untreated diabetic foot issues. The company’s focus on education and outreach, particularly targeting children and pregnant women, reflects its vision to address these challenges on a larger scale. Programs like school awareness campaigns and products for specific demographics, such as diabetic and pregnant women, underscore the long-term societal benefits of this innovation.
The innovation of using CAD/CAM technology for customized insoles has not only transformed foot care but has also significantly benefited the business. By introducing precision-driven, tailored solutions, the company expanded its market reach and improved customer retention. From a single center in Trivandrum in 2013, the business grew to 12 scanning centers across South India by 2024, including locations in Kerala, Chennai, Coimbatore, and Bangalore. This expansion was supported by the integration of cost-effective technologies, such as scanners from Singapore, which were “almost 1/3 or 1/4 of the price of a German scanner,” Nair said, enabling the company to scale its operations more efficiently.
The business also created new revenue streams through a B2B (business-to-business) model by selling scanners and enabling other businesses to replicate their processes. “Apart from the B2C (business-to-consumer) model, we are also selling these scanners to those who want to do similar kinds of business in India,” he added. Additionally, innovations such as sourcing raw materials locally—at nearly half the cost of premium imported materials—allowed the company to reduce product costs, making their solutions more competitive and accessible to a broader market.
Employee wellbeing and job creation have also been notable outcomes. The company invested in training employees to operate advanced CAD/CAM systems, fostering a skilled workforce. By utilizing a comprehensive customer relationship management (CRM) system and continuous follow-ups, the company ensured high satisfaction levels, which further strengthened its reputation and customer loyalty. This strategic focus on innovation and customer engagement has positioned the business as a pioneer in India’s emerging foot care market.
FootPro’s impact spans three key areas:
1. Health and Well-being
o Children with flat feet: Early interventions prevent complications and promote active lifestyles.
o Diabetic patients: Customized insoles improve circulation and mitigate risks like ulcers.
o Pregnant women: Arch-supportive footwear relieves weight gain-induced pain.
2. Empowering Lives
o FootPro enhances mobility and alleviates pain, enabling individuals to lead active and fulfilling lives.
3. Sustainability and Affordability
o Using toxin-free Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) materials and optimizing manufacturing processes, FootPro reduces environmental impact while making advanced foot care affordable.
The operations of FootPro reflect a strong commitment to sustainability. Durable, toxin-free EVA materials used in its products ensure longevity, with low environmental impact. Precise manufacturing processes ensure optimized use of material resources, reduce waste, and decrease costs. Campaigns to educate schoolchildren and work with doctors help create preventive foot care awareness. Transitions from imported technology to locally sourced alternatives have made advanced foot care more affordable and sustainable. By integrating sustainability into its mission, FootPro is an example of how innovative healthcare solutions can also be environmentally responsible.
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Hari G Nair, Managing Director
Hari G Nair, Managing Director
FootPro is a pioneering healthcare initiative dedicated to improving foot health and mobility through innovative, customized foot care solutions. Leveraging advanced German technologies and years of healthcare expertise, FootPro offers products and services tailored to meet individual needs, addressing conditions like diabetes, orthopaedic issues, and sports-related injuries. FootPro’s focus on affordability and high-quality standards has positioned it as a leader in foot orthotics and preventive healthcare.