[Profile] Karthigesan & Karthik Rajasekaran: The Father-Son Duo Who Turned a Humble Poppadom into a Global Snack Empire

The Profile Snapshot

In the competitive world of FMCG, few stories are as compelling as that of a family turning a traditional staple into an international snack phenomenon. At the heart of this narrative are Karthigesan Rajasekaran and his son, Karthik Rajasekaran, the visionary duo behind K&K Food Industries Sdn Bhd and its flagship brand, Krackers Poppadoms. They didn't just sell poppadoms; they reimagined an entire category.

• 👨‍💼 Name: Karthigesan Rajasekaran & Karthik Rajasekaran
• 🏷️ Role: Founder & Managing Director / Executive Director, K&K Food Industries
• 🔑 Key Superpower: Cultural Alchemists & Global Market Navigators

The Catalyst: Why It Matters

The Rajasekaran family is making headlines because their homegrown Malaysian brand, born from a simple family recipe, has achieved what many local F&B giants aspire to: genuine global reach. Krackers Poppadoms are now available in over 20 countries across five continents, from the shelves of major UK supermarkets to gourmet stores in Australia and niche markets in the Middle East. This isn't just an export success; it's a masterclass in branding, product adaptation, and scaling a heritage business for the modern, global palate.

The Leadership Dialogue: Inside The Mindset

Reflecting on the journey, Karthigesan, the patriarch, speaks with the quiet pride of a craftsman who stayed true to his roots. He emphasizes that the core recipe—a closely guarded family secret—was never compromised for scale. "The crunch, the flavour, the quality—these are non-negotiable," he states, his conviction rooted in decades of hands-on production. For him, the poppadom was always a canvas of tradition; the challenge was preserving its soul while inviting the world to taste it.

Karthik, embodying the next-generation dynamism, candidly admits that the initial vision was more local. "We saw it as a beloved Malaysian snack," he shares, leaning forward. "But when we received our first international inquiry, a switch flipped." His eyes light up when describing the strategic pivot. He saw beyond the poppadom as a mere accompaniment to curry. He re-framed it as a versatile, gluten-free, vegan snack cracker—a positioning that resonated with global health and wellness trends. He spearheaded packaging redesigns, developed new flavours like Thai Sweet Chilli and Sour Cream & Onion, and navigated complex international food regulations—all while ensuring the production could meet explosive demand without sacrificing his father's gold standard of quality.

Their dialogue, though spanning generations, converges on a singular philosophy: respect the heritage, but don't be imprisoned by it. Karthigesan provided the unwavering foundation of product integrity, while Karthik built the global distribution and marketing bridges. It's a potent synergy of experience and ambition.

Career Milestones & Achievements

• From Kitchen to Factory (1990s): Karthigesan transitioned from small-batch, home-style production to establishing K&K Food Industries, laying the industrial groundwork for consistency and quality.
• The 'Krackers' Rebranding (2010s): Under Karthik's leadership, the product was rebranded as "Krackers Poppadoms," a strategic move to distance it from the "only-with-curry" perception and position it in the mainstream snack aisle globally.
• Breaking into the UK Market: Securing listings with major British retail chains like Tesco and ASDA served as the critical breakthrough, validating the product's appeal in a sophisticated and competitive market.
• The 20-Country Milestone: Successfully navigating diverse markets from Canada to South Africa, demonstrating remarkable adaptability in marketing and supply chain logistics.
• Sustaining Family Legacy & Governance: Establishing a clear, professional governance structure within a family business, ensuring smooth succession and scalable operations for future growth.

The Editor's Take

The Rajasekarans represent the ideal blend of Malaysian entrepreneurial spirit: deeply rooted in tradition yet fiercely ambitious on the world stage. Karthigesan is the Anchor, providing stability and uncompromising quality. Karthik is the Catalyst, driving innovation and global expansion. Together, they are archetypes of the modern family business leader—one who honours the past while writing a new future.

• 👁️ Visionary Thinking: 8/10 (Karthik's global repositioning of a traditional item was a stroke of genius.)
• ⚡ Execution Capability: 9/10 (Scaling production to meet international demand while maintaining quality is a formidable operational feat.)
• 🌟 Industry Influence: 7/10 (They have created a new blueprint for Malaysian heritage F&B brands aiming for global relevance.)

"Don't just sell a product; sell a new experience of something familiar. That's how you turn tradition into a global trademark." — Karthik Rajasekaran