Born into a traditional business family in the small town of Irinjalakuda in Thrissur District of Kerala, the Late Mr. K.L. Francis pioneered the practice of procuring copra directly from farmers and redefined the indigenous oil extraction process. The residue from the extraction process was converted into cattle feed.

A man of simple manners and lofty ideals, K.L. Francis commanded the love and respect of everyone he interacted with. With his astute wisdom, keen business acumen and far reaching foresight he guided the company he had founded till his sad demise in 1999 at the ripe old age of 82. By then the Nirmal brand had become a household name in India and several parts of the world.