JLB Partners Holding, Inc. was incorporated in 1960 in Connecticut, USA under the name Fabindia, Inc. with the mission of supporting India’s rural handloom industry to expand its export business. During its 60+ year history, the US company has changed its name and operations, while always staying true to its original commitment of weaving opportunities between the US and India.

In 1976 Fabindia underwent a reorganization, when the newly formed Indian company Fabindia Overseas Pvt. Ltd. took over operations from the US company, and Fabindia, Inc. (US) became a shareholder of the Indian entity.

John Bissell continued to oversee Fabindia’s growth both in India and in the US, and remained focused on export/import, catering to customers across the US, UK and Europe with a wholesale operation in the US. Over the next decades, Fabindia gradually shifted its export orientation to focus on the Indian domestic retail market, and in 2004 the US company closed its wholesale operations. 

Today JLB remains the largest shareholder of the Indian entity Fabindia and is intimately involved in Fabindia’s continued success as India's largest private platform for products that are made from traditional techniques, skills and hand-based processes. 

Fabindia links over 55,000 craft based rural producers to a network of over 350+ retail stores across India and in select International locations, thereby creating a base for skilled, sustainable rural employment, while preserving India's traditional handicrafts in the process.

William Bissell and Monsoon Bissell oversee JLB along with their colleague Daniel Berman, Chairman of the Board of JLB. The Bissells are both actively involved in the expansion and success of Fabindia.