Apex was founded in 2005 to give international buyers what they were missing: the same quality in the shipment as in the sample. Behind it are more than 75 years of match manufacturing and a team that now serves importers in over 40 countries.
Apex’s roots in the match industry go back more than 75 years, through our group’s manufacturing and distribution of safety matches in the Indian market under promoter companies including Comorin, Premier, Arasan, Kaliswari, President, Original and Mahalaksmi. Over the decades, our brands have built strong market positions across several Indian states.
During visits to African markets, our founders heard a message that was both painful and eye-opening. Importers repeatedly shared the same concern:
We receive good samples, but not the same quality products when the shipment arrives.
Importers in African markets, 1999
Many buyers had lost confidence in suppliers who promised quality but failed to deliver it consistently. For our founders this was more than feedback. It was a challenge. They believed international buyers deserved better, and that trust should be earned through consistent actions, shipment after shipment.
That belief became the foundation of Apex. From the very beginning, Apex was built with a simple purpose: to create an export company that international markets could rely on with confidence, one that would deliver what it promised in every sample.
Over the past two decades, we have worked relentlessly to turn that vision into reality. Drawing upon more than 75 years of manufacturing knowledge, we built strong quality systems, disciplined processes, reliable sourcing practices and an unwavering commitment to customer success.
Today, Apex serves customers across multiple countries and continents. Yet our mission remains unchanged from the day we started. Apex is not simply in the business of exporting safety matches. We are in the business of exporting trust.
We are now carrying that same promise into a wider range of everyday essentials that light and scent living spaces, starting with incense and dhoop.
Apex was founded on a simple belief: buyers from any market deserve the same quality in every order and every time.
SaranyanFounder & Managing Director
What drives usVision & Mission
To be the preferred global partner for sustainable essential products that light, scent, and enrich living spaces, every day, everywhere.
To deliver high-quality, culturally inspired, and environmentally responsible products that enhance everyday living, build lasting partnerships, and uphold trust across global markets.
Seven commitments every buyer can hold us to.
Clear, timely communication at every stage of your sourcing journey.
Consistent quality and shipments you can plan around.
Pack sizes and configurations shaped around your market.
From order confirmation to final dispatch, handled with care.
A dedicated team from product selection through delivery.
Rigorous checks at every stage of every shipment.
Products, packaging and volumes adapted to your needs.
The co-founders who run Apex as a professionally managed company, with trained teams leading every stage of the value chain.
Awards and recognitions Apex has received over the years for export performance, quality and partnership.
Select a question to reveal the detailed answer. Anything else, ask our export desk.
Frequently asked questions
Apex’s roots in the match industry go back more than 75 years, through our group’s manufacturing and distribution of safety matches in the Indian market. Over the decades, our brands have built strong market positions across several Indian states.
Since 2005, Apex has consistently served international markets, building long-term relationships with importers across multiple countries. Our credibility is further supported by:
With decades of industry experience and over 20 years in international business, Apex is built on proven experience, recognised credentials and long-term customer relationships.
Apex has over 75 years of match manufacturing experience through its promoter companies, including Comorin, Premier, Arasan, Kaliswari, President, Original and Mahalaksmi, with a long history in the manufacturing and distribution of matches in India.
Since Apex was established in 2005, we have been continuously focused on the match industry and have built 20+ years of international market experience, serving customers across 40+ countries.
75+ years of manufacturing heritage. 20+ years of international experience. 40+ countries served.
Apex has been continuously serving international markets since 2005, building deep knowledge of the markets and customers we serve.
Our strength comes from our long-term presence and customer relationships in markets including Nigeria, South Africa, Mauritania, Ghana, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Albania, Poland and Romania.
Over the years, this has given us a strong understanding of customer segments, product preferences, packaging requirements and logistics behaviour in these markets.
We don’t just know how to manufacture matches; we understand the markets we supply.
Apex has deep knowledge of raw material sourcing, processing and safety match manufacturing, giving us a strong understanding of the complete value chain.
We have also developed strong logistics knowledge, enabling us to select suitable routes and shipment options for different markets. This end-to-end understanding helps us plan supply, manage the value chain and deliver products to customers at the right time.
From raw materials to manufacturing to logistics, Apex understands the complete supply chain.
Apex operates 5 production machines across 5 different match sizes, with the capacity to supply approximately 180 containers per year for export markets.
In addition, we maintain around 60% additional production capacity serving the Indian market. This gives Apex a valuable capacity cushion, allowing us to ramp up production when there is a sudden increase in export requirements.
Our capacity is designed not only for regular orders, but also to respond when our customers need us to scale quickly.
Quality consistency starts with raw materials, processing capability and throughput management. Apex controls these critical stages across the value chain.
We source materials from approved standard vendors, follow defined SOPs, and train our teams in machine operation and production handling. Our 6 key quality inspection systems are:
At Apex, our quality consistency comes from our processes and systematic quality-checking systems, not just the final inspection.
Apex follows a carefully managed inventory approach. We avoid unnecessary inventory because excess stock can lead to wastage and higher costs, while ensuring that critical materials are available when required.
We work with standard vendors and approved materials, supported by an alternate B-vendor system to reduce dependency on a single source. This approach helps us balance inventory efficiency, material availability and production continuity.
Our objective is simple: the right material, at the right time, with the right level of inventory.
Yes. Apex has multiple production lines for different match sizes, supported by a network of subcontractors, giving us flexibility in manufacturing.
We first understand the market requirements (product, size, packaging and price expectations) and then develop our offer accordingly. Apex also supports customers with product and packaging customisation to meet their market and brand requirements.
Your market requirements come first. We then work backwards to develop the right product, packaging and commercial solution.
Apex combines professional management, manufacturing capability and customer-focused systems under one organisation.
Our business is not dependent on a single individual. Professionally trained teams manage different stages of the value chain, helping us maintain continuity and serve customers reliably.
We also have a structured customer support system, with customer information managed digitally and readily accessible for quick response. Our quality assurance system operates throughout the year, with systematic checks to ensure every product is manufactured and delivered with care.
Apex is built as a system-driven organisation, where people, processes and technology work together to deliver reliable customer service and consistent quality.
Should-have-asked questions
A suitable safety match supplier should first take the time to understand your requirements and the needs of your market. Look for a supplier who can:
The right supplier is not simply the one with the best machines or the lowest price. It is the one with the knowledge and capability to deliver the right solution for your market.
A supplier’s capacity is important, but capacity alone does not guarantee reliable supply. A buyer should understand how well the supplier manages the complete value chain, from raw material sourcing and processing to production, quality control, packaging and logistics.
The supplier should have the systems, people and processes to manage these stages consistently and respond quickly when something changes.
A good supplier doesn’t just have capacity; they have the capability to convert that capacity into reliable supply.
Production capacity should not be judged only by the number of machines a supplier owns. What matters is how effectively that capacity can be planned, managed and scaled when customer requirements change. A capable supplier should have:
Supply-chain reliability depends heavily on the supplier ecosystem behind the manufacturer.
A capable supplier should have reliable primary suppliers, effective alternate suppliers and deep knowledge of the raw-material ecosystem. This reduces dependence on a single source and helps manage unexpected disruptions.
Before selecting a supplier, understand how they manage their own supply chain. The strength of their supplier ecosystem determines their ability to protect your supply.
Apex follows a 6-way quality inspection process covering the product from raw materials through to container loading. These multiple checkpoints help ensure that the product, packaging, quantity and customer specifications are verified before shipment.
At Apex, the 6-way quality checking system is our commitment to consistent quality in every shipment.
Infrastructure is not about buildings or machines. It is about creating a system that delivers the same quality, every order, every time.
Every investment we make has one objective: helping our customers build successful and profitable brands through reliable product quality and dependable supply.
