In a moment when American manufacturing is being forced to rethink everything from supply chains to sustainability, leaders who can operate across industries—not just inside them—are the ones setting the pace. Arun Agarwal, CEO of Nextt and Chairman of the Texas Economic Development Corporation, is one of the executives reshaping that landscape in real time.
Agarwal runs one of the nation’s largest textile and consumer goods companies, supplying major retailers with products that anchor everyday American life. But his work extends far beyond factories and distribution centers. From state-level economic strategy to building a sports industry from scratch, he is redefining what modern leadership looks like.
Manufacturing With Scale—and Speed
Nextt is part of one of the world’s largest textile groups, but under Agarwal, the company has grown into a forward-leaning consumer goods engine. The operation blends automation, AI forecasting, sustainable materials, and vertically integrated production in a way that helps retailers stay competitive in a crowded market.
Agarwal’s philosophy is simple, but untraditional for manufacturing:
Don’t chase volume—chase innovation.
It’s an approach that has allowed Nextt not only to keep pace with global shifts but to stay ahead of them.
Chairing the Strategy Behind America’s No. 1 State for Business
Agarwal’s understanding of scale and investment also shows up in his public leadership. As Chairman of the Texas Economic Development Corporation, appointed by Governor Greg Abbott, he plays a key role in Texas’ business attraction strategy.
Texas continues to lead the country in corporate relocations, job growth, and large-scale investments. Agarwal helps shape that narrative—bridging private-sector insight with statewide economic goals, and spotlighting Texas’ strengths to CEOs around the world.
It’s a role that requires not only business acumen, but diplomacy, clarity of vision, and the credibility to speak to the global market.
And Then There’s Cricket—the New Industry He’s Building From the Ground Up
The part of Agarwal’s portfolio that surprises people most is the one with the biggest runway.
As CEO of the National Cricket League USA, he is bringing one of the world’s most popular sports to American audiences. Cricket commands 2.5 billion fans globally, and yet its footprint in the U.S. has remained largely untapped.
Agarwal decided to change that.
Building the league has required an all-in commitment: stadium partnerships, international players, media conversations, and the creation of a new entertainment ecosystem in a country dominated by football, baseball, and basketball.
“I put my name, time, and capital on the line to build this,” Agarwal says.
“And I did it because America deserves to be part of the world’s biggest sport.”
The early momentum suggests he might be right.
A Leadership Style Built on Creating Industries, Not Just Companies
Across textiles, economic development, and sports, Agarwal applies the same principle:
Identify the opportunity. Build the infrastructure. Deliver at scale.
It’s why he has become a distinctive figure in the manufacturing and consumer goods landscape—not just operating in large industries, but actively shaping them.
Agarwal isn’t just leading major enterprises—he’s building the kind of industries that will shape how America competes in the years ahead.
