A Conversation with Nitin Tiwari, Founder of Acme Universal Safezone 9 Pvt Ltd

An exclusive conversation with Nitin Tiwari, the Founder of Acme Universal Safezone 9 Private Limited

In this exclusive conversation, Nitin Tiwari, Founder of Acme Universal Safezone 9 Private Limited, shares how he transformed India’s safety footwear mindset, turning basic protection into a culture of innovation, comfort, and responsibility for millions of industrial workers.

What first inspired you to build a safety shoe company at a time when India had no safety footwear culture?

Nitin Tiwari: The journey began nearly 3 decades ago during a train ride from Delhi to Gwalior. I was a young computer engineer with no concrete business plan, just curiosity about what lay ahead. A co-passenger noticed my safety shoes and asked, “Can something like this be made in India?”

He took off his shoes and handed them to me. That moment changed everything. I realised that while industries relied heavily on workers, their safety was often neglected. There was virtually no culture of wearing safety footwear in India then.

And that was the foundational base for Acme, and what we started as a challenge has become a mission now. We aim to create international-standard safety shoes for Indian workers and build awareness around industrial safety.

In the 1990s, India wasn’t familiar with safety footwear. How did you navigate that early resistance?

Nitin Tiwari: Yes, in the 90s, awareness was the biggest challenge. Many factories didn’t believe they needed safety shoes. I had to explain multiple times the same thing, and even sometimes one manager at a time, how footwear could prevent injuries from acid, bitumen, oil spills, fire, and slippery floors.

I spent six months studying the product in depth, from leather and toe caps to machinery. But everything changed when I imported my first machine from England in 1995, which cost Rs 10 lakh.  After that, we never had to look back.

But those early days taught me that entrepreneurship is as much about education and patience as it is about innovation.

How did global exposure shape your approach to product development?

Nitin Tiwari: When I was studying in England in 1993–94, I saw safety shoes being used widely, and it intrigued me. I brought samples back to India and realised that while Europe and America were innovating, India had barely begun.

We started improving toe caps, reducing shoe weight, and enhancing comfort. When Micro-Bosch became our first customer in 1995, it was a turning point. They gave our shoes to every worker and, more importantly, a validation that we were building something valuable.

Acme’s manufacturing has grown from 200 to now lakhs of pairs a day. What powered this scale?

Nitin Tiwari: The simple answer to this is “Hard Work”, and the credit goes to my entire team. Many of whom have been with me since 1994.

We built the company step by step, from a 2,000 sq. ft. rented area in Gwalior to a 4,50,000 sq. ft. combined construction area today. And we are looking forward to an entirely new factory.

I can proudly say that we embraced automation early. See, the footwear industry is the third most complex in the world, so I was very clear that precision, consistency, and innovation are non-negotiable.

You’ve built a company known for innovation. What drives that mindset?

Nitin Tiwari: Innovation is not a department for us; instead, it is our foundation. We don’t chase trends but purpose.

If a worker is uncomfortable, we redesign. If a material doesn’t perform the way it should, we change it. Innovation is simply our way of respecting the end user. And that discipline has shaped our culture.

You grew from a founder with a dream to leading a company with multi-location operations. How did you manage that transition?

Nitin Tiwari: Growth demands that you evolve faster than your company. I learned to move from doing everything myself to building teams that could carry the vision forward.

Leadership, for me, became less about control and more about trust. When people feel ownership, the organisation becomes stronger than any single individual.

What keeps you motivated after all these years?

Nitin Tiwari: It is the impact Acme makes. I am a firm believer in working hard, and when I walk into one of our factories and see a worker who learned a skill here, who earns his dignity here, that really moves me.

Most importantly, to be part of the change where we see safety as a mandate across all industries is what kept me going and will continue to.

And when any company chooses Indian-made safety footwear with confidence, that motivates me. I feel like we’re part of a quiet revolution of showing the world what Indian hands can craft.

If you had to share one lesson for young entrepreneurs, what would it be?

Nitin Tiwari: Don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you begin. Perfection is the biggest excuse we hide behind. Start with clarity, not certainty.

You will learn on the way. And more importantly, don’t chase applause. Build something honest. The world always rewards sincerity, even if it takes time.

As this insightful dialogue reveals, Nitin Tiwari’s journey goes beyond building a successful brand; it is about reshaping attitudes toward worker safety in India, inspiring industries to adopt smarter, safer footwear choices and setting new benchmarks for protection-driven growth.

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