A K Goel is Building TPlusA for India’s Next Hardware Era explores how Goel is creating a new benchmark in India’s furniture hardware industry through design and local manufacturing.
India’s furniture hardware industry is at an inflection point. The market is expanding,
government standards are tightening, and domestic manufacturers are finally seeing an opportunity to compete with global giants. In this shifting landscape, TPlusA India, a startup founded by A K Goel, is drawing attention for the kind of confidence it has inspired among investors — including Livspace, Kedaara Capital’s Nishant Sharma, and other high-profile backers.
Goel’s name is well known in the industry. He headed Hettich India for more than two decades, turning what was once a scattered market into an organised, brand-led ecosystem. Now, as founder of TPlusA, he is looking ahead to create what he calls “the next chapter in India’s hardware story.” His vision, he says, is not just to make fittings in
India, but to build a globally respected brand that blends Indian manufacturing efficiency with European precision and design thinking. “India can’t remain a market for imported fittings forever,” Goel asserts. “Our goal is to build an ecosystem where Indian hardware brands are known globally for quality and design.”
Betting on Policy and Scale
Goel’s playbook rests on two pillars: scale and timing. “Unlike existing multinational
brands that offer limited ranges, we will provide complete hardware solutions — from
architectural fittings to furniture accessories — at global quality and local prices,” he
says.
The claim might sound bold, but it comes at a time when new Quality Control Orders (QCOs) are compelling the industry to localise production. Imported components that don’t meet BIS standards are being squeezed out, and that’s where Goel sees his opening. The A K Goel is Building TPlusA narrative is defined by his push to align policy momentum with manufacturing capability.
Formerly known as GOTC, TPlusA has raised over Rs 50 crore so far. To support this scale-up, Goel has brought in investors who understand how technology and integration can transform traditional industries.
Why Livspace is Backing It
Founded in 2014, Livspace has emerged as one of Asia’s leading home interiors platforms, using technology to connect consumers, designers, and vendors through an integrated digital marketplace. Its experience in linking design, materials, and project execution makes it a natural ally for a manufacturing startup like TPlusA.
“This is a step toward backward integration,” says Livspace co-founder Ramakant Sharma. “By partnering with TPlusA, we secure a reliable local supply chain that matches our quality expectations.” He adds that as standards compliance limits imports from China, local manufacturing partnerships are becoming strategically essential.
Livspace’s investment is not just a capital infusion, it is in fact a significant message. Since marquee investors including TPG, Goldman Sachs and KKR sit on Livspace’s board, their approval of the TPlusA deal signals confidence in Goel’s vision and the potential of India’s fittings market. It is also their way of saying that disruption is coming.
Sharma’s personal investment further underscores his confidence. Two Livspace directors, including him, now sit on TPlusA’s board. Another prominent investor, Nishant Sharma, co-founder of Kedaara Capital, sums it up well: “Earlier, Goel was a professional operator. At TPlusA, he’s an owner-operator. That shift brings sharper accountability and focus.”
With investor support in place, Goel is turning his attention to the next challenge —building a world-class manufacturing base that embodies his ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ vision.
Building the Factory of the Future
TPlusA’s immediate focus is on execution. It’s planning a 50,000-sft manufacturing facility in Madhya Pradesh, likely near Pithampur or Bhopal. The plant will have an R&D centre and BIS-compliant testing labs — crucial for meeting QCO standards. “Madhya Pradesh offers attractive incentives, and we’re sourcing advanced machinery globally,” says Mukund Walawalkar, vice president and co-founder at TPlusA. “Our goal is to combine scale with precision and create a manufacturing setup that can eventually compete with global benchmarks.”
Walawalkar leads operations, partnerships, and brand rollout. Initially, the factory will produce hinges and telescopic slides — two categories already under QCO regulation —
and later expand into other product lines.
Partnerships that Add Design Muscle
TPlusA’s international tie-ups are giving it an edge early on. Its first partnership was with Indaux of Spain, which allows TPlusA to make and market selected products under the Indaux name. Soon after came WSS (Germany) and SIGE (Italy), both design-driven European brands known for aesthetic and functional excellence. “These aren’t simple distribution deals,” Walawalkar explains. “Our R&D teams co-develop and adapt designs for Indian conditions. The design support from WSS and SIGE adds a creative layer to our engineering strength.”
This collaboration hints at how Indian manufacturing could evolve — not just replicating foreign products but developing its own design vocabulary, tuned to Indian consumers and price points.
The Market Game Plan
TPlusA plans to go to market through two parallel channels. Its own brand will target the mid-tier segment, offering prices roughly 30% lower than European equivalents. The imported brands it represents will serve the luxury end. A 200-partner dealer network is being built and will become operational this financial year.
At the same time, the company is pushing hard in the OEM segment. A 35-member team is already engaging furniture manufacturers nationwide. “For OEM customers, our promise is dependability — consistent quality, on-time delivery, and sharp pricing,” says Walawalkar.
From Livspace’s perspective, the partnership is a test of operational synergy. “We’re in 85 cities,” Sharma points out. “If TPlusA can give us the right quality, at the right time, we’ll buy. It’s as simple as that.” There’s no exclusivity between the two, keeping both free to work with other partners.
The Broader Context
According to Mordor Intelligence, India’s furniture market is valued at USD 29.97 billion (2025) and could reach USD 43.24 billion by 2030, growing at 7.6% CAGR. The report highlights that sustainable materials and responsible manufacturing are now competitive differentiators — a trend TPlusA hopes to tap into. Goel agrees: “Quality, sustainability, and cost-efficiency — those are the levers for winning this market.”
Government policy, too, is playing a decisive role. Categories once reserved for MSMEs have been opened up, and the new QCOs on hinges and slides are pushing companies to upgrade. For TPlusA, which is already embedding these standards into its processes, the shift provides a ready-made advantage.
A Crowded but Changing Market
India’s hardware space has long been dominated by familiar names — Godrej, Dorset, Ozone, Hettich, Hafele and Ebco. But the ground is shifting. Modular furniture demand is rising, and compliance costs are levelling the playing field. Goel believes there’s plenty of room for newcomers who can offer credible quality at Indian prices. “This market is big enough for everyone who plays by the new rules,” he says.
Investor Nishant Sharma frames it in more analytical terms: “The input matrix for success is clear — people, infrastructure, and network. Once that’s in place, the output matrix follows.”
Why TPlusA Matters
TPlusA’s story goes beyond a single investment. It reflects how India’s furniture hardware sector is moving from fragmented trading to organised, standards-led manufacturing. By combining entrepreneurial leadership with institutional capital — and by drawing design strength from European partners — TPlusA could become a model for next-generation Indian manufacturers.
A K Goel is Building TPlusA is about proving that India can design, engineer, and deliver hardware that meets global standards. For Goel, this is more than a business venture. “We have to stop looking outward for quality and innovation,” he says. “TPlusA is our chance to prove that world-class design and manufacturing can happen right here in India.”