Garment manufacturers in India are constantly exploring new avenues in search of opportunities for growth. That includes exploring new markets, be it domestic or international. Ahmedabad-based MG Sons is one such company that has realized that apart from doing business in the domestic market, it also needs to look for export opportunities and make forays into the international market, in order to stay afloat.

Also Read - Domestic companies entering into export arena

“Our domestic business is completely on track, and there are no hurdles or issues with it. So to do something new or to enhance growth, export is the natural option. Secondly, we are already into indirect export in Dubai, Mauritius, Singapore, Malaysia and little into Fiji as well. This is at a very small level, but there is enough scope for our products,” Ranjit M Vala, partner, M G Sons,

The post India’s MG Sons enhances focus on export appeared first on Apparel Resources

Among the few Indian apparel exporters offering value-added blazers and jackets for the international market, some are aggressive on product development. Noida-based Kashvi Designs, a 12-year-old company, is one of them.

Under the leadership of Directors Alok Kumar Singh and Meenakshi Singh, the company, which is a sub-vendor of Armani Emporio, has come up with a lot of new development in its products. Apart from menswear like polo shirts, T-shirts, jackets, blazers and shirts, the company also produces high-end ladies garments.

Also Read - Fabric Trends S/S ’16: From prints to textures… It’s all about Summer

“We not only have some new designs in blazers, but have also tried to design blazers in different fabrics that are not so common, such as knitted fabric, two-tone Pk, indigo jersey etc. We have come up with different offering in the designs of collar and cuffs.

The post India’s Kashvi Designs brings out new developments appeared first on Apparel Resources

Among the fast-growing companies, Kolkata-based Shivam Creative is set to expand further in kidswear. Quality leggings is a major product category for Shivam Creative, a sister concern of Enfield Apparels, having 700 stitching machines and expecting increase of 15-20 per cent in its turnover. Shivam is setting an example for others, as besides processing, it has everything in-house, and that too with the latest technology -- be it circular knitting, cutting or finishing.

Shivam Sonthalia, Director, Shivam Creative, who started the company in 2010, envisioned his company’s growth strategy with focus on marketing. The company, which now has five units in Shilpangan, also has its own brands and is providing institutional supplies for top retailers in India. The company is also into exports. “We are launching our kidswear range in 2016. We are planning institutional supplies to Dubai and tying up with Dubai-based famous brands for the

The post Kolkata’s Shivam Creative to start kidswear appeared first on Apparel Resources

Ludhiana-based Pruthi Exports, a vertically integrated, three-decade-old company, which is known for its kidswear, is now exploring new markets. And for that, the company recently took part in an international sourcing fair (India International Garment Fair) for the very first time.

Exporting mainly to the Middle East and the Gulf regions, the company that has a capacity of more than 3,500 body suits per day, is enthusiastic about adding new markets from across the world to its list of export destinations. The company also started offering menswear, mainly tees and lowers, very recently.

Also Read - India’s Alfine Knit plans to explore new markets

While speaking to Apparel Resources, Jashan Pruthi, Partner, Pruthi Exports, said, “We are offering products in knits as well as in woven. We hope to add some more buyers from

The post Ludhiana’s Pruthi Exports explores new markets appeared first on Apparel Resources

One of the leading apparel manufacturing groups of Bangladesh, AKH Group has recently opened a new factory, which has been awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) for its eco-friendly initiatives.

The factory, called AKH Eco Apparels Ltd. has been set up at a total cost of US $ 25 million, and is expected to generate annual exports worth US $ 80 million for the AKH Group. According to the company, the new factory will help in bringing down the electricity consumption by 1,295 megawatt-hours per year, oil consumption by 325 tonnes, and water use by 30 per cent. The factory is spread over 13 acres of land, has a rainwater harvesting system to reduce the consumption of groundwater, and a solar power plant to meet almost 25 per cent of the

The post Bangladesh’s AKH Group opens LEED-certified garment factory appeared first on Apparel Resources

Noida-based Elite International, an exporter of high-fashion womenswear garments, is in the process of expanding and adding a new unit.

Currently, the company has two manufacturing units, and is in the process of commissioning its third unit. It expects that this will help the company double its production capacity which, at the moment, stands at 45,000-55,000 fully beaded pieces a month.

“Our niche is in hand-beaded womenswear garments,” Vanshaj Agarwal, Manager of Elite International, shared, adding, “We have years of expertise in this area.” Talking about the current focus of the company, he said, “The company is, at the moment, focused not only on marketing activities to expand its global footprint, but also in technological upgrades to better streamline our production activities.”

Also Read - Aanchal Creations expands with new factory; will adopt BSCI certificate

Looking

The post Elite International expanding, setting up new unit appeared first on Apparel Resources

Bangladeshi garment makers, who would earlier set up their warehouses in Gujarat, have shifted their focus to West Bengal.

Earlier in June 2015, when Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi visited Bangladesh, garment makers were lobbying to set up garment apparel factories in Gujarat and demanded 50 acres of land for the same. But now the focus has shifted to west Bengal due to the state’s proximity to Bangladesh. They think that Gujarat would be not be beneficial for their business owing to long distance.

Also Read - EU-Bangladesh council to boost bilateral trade: Tofail Ahmed

However, according to Siddiqur Rahman, President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the Indian government is more willing to shell out land for factories than for setting up warehouses.

According to Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Abdul Matlub Ahmad,

The post Bangladeshi garment makers now prefer warehouses in Bengal over Gujarat appeared first on Apparel Resources

Experts in linen fabric, Karur-based company Master Linen Inc that currently has a turnover of Rs 66 crore, is expecting good growth in the coming years. It is now aiming at growing its business to Rs 100 crore in the next four years.

Moving forward, the company is also entering into garmenting, particularly in the area of making linen shirts.

Humble yet vocal, R Arasu, MD, Master Linen spoke to Apparel Resources about his company’s forte. “Linen is our strength and we are known for it. Out of the over 350 home furnishing exporters of Karur, few offer linen. We are looking at a robust demand for linen. Our existing exporters are also asking us for linen shirts, which will be part of our new initiatives.”

His son Sethupathi, who is B Tech, Textile Technology has a passion for linen and is very enthusiastic about further growth.

Also

The post Karur’s Master Linen Inc targets Rs 100-cr business appeared first on Apparel Resources

Indonesia-based apparel manufacturer, Sri Rejeki Isman, popularly known as Sritex has recently signed a US $ 50 million-deal with Cambodia’s Interior Ministry to set up a garment manufacturing unit in Cambodia in order to supply uniforms for Cambodia’s police and armed forces.

According to a statement issued by the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry, the joint venture between the Cambodian Government and Sritex will be called ‘Sritex Cambodia’. The new apparel manufacturing unit will be set up in Kandal Province of Cambodia, by the end of this year, and would employ around 400 people. The apparel manufacturer has also promised to supply uniforms to the Cambodian police and armed forces from its Indonesian factories till the time the new plant comes up.

Also Read – Indo Rama Synthetics inaugurates its 9th textile plant in Indonesia

Surprisingly, despite being such a

The post Indonesia’s Sritex to set-up facility in Cambodia appeared first on Apparel Resources

Jaipur-based garment export house Cheer Sagar has once again received the National Productivity & Innovation Award in the Textile and Garment Sector for the year 2014-15.

The award, presented by Union Minister of MSME Kalraj Mishra, was received by Arnav Poddar and Tanushree Poddar on behalf of Cheer Sagar.

Established in 1985, Cheer Sagar exports women’s fashion wear, in both woven and knits categories, to consumers across Japan, Europe, South America and several other countries.

The company, having an in-house manufacturing facility with the set-up of 850 machines, and having invested heavily in state-of-the-art machinery to achieve the production capacity of 250,000 units per month. It has a turnover of US$ 8.25 million (approx Rs 49.50 crore) per annum.

Until now, Cheer Sagar has received several awards in various categories. It is planning on further investing in training and development as well as purchasing machinery and equipment, as it is

The post Cheer Sagar receives National Productivity & Innovation Award appeared first on Apparel Resources

When it comes to women to women, Indian apparel industry has a long-pending list of demands from the government, which include allowing night shifts for women in line with the Tamil Nadu High Court ruling of not discriminating women in employment.

Several women, working at various designations in their organizations, shared their view with Apparel Resources. Some of them were, in fact, very interesting.

Kamal Kapur, a veteran in the industry, with extensive experience in export as well as buying side, is the MD Achievers Consulting (HR Services), Visiting faculty at NIFT, Amity and other institutes. She said, “I and many others like me did not want any special treatment...we just worked towards being recognized as special..,” she said, adding, “I think I have been truly fortunate that the six organisations I have worked with did not employ men or women. They hired people.”

Meanwhile, Aastha Kapoor, Creative Director,

The post Industry’s wish-list for women in Indian apparel industry appeared first on Apparel Resources

Be it an export promotion council relating to textile and apparel industry, like the AEPC, EPCH, or bodies like CMAI, GEA, TEA, Knitwear Club, Ludhiana, GEAR, Jaipur, one would find hardly any women at their helm.

In AEPC, women comprise only about 19 per cent of the staff, which does not include even a single woman in the EC (Executive Committee) of AEPC. It is almost the same story with the CMAI, or for that matter, with any of the other associations/councils.

Vijay Mathur, Additional Secretary General, AEPC, Gurgaon claims, “There is no specific reason for it. Out of the 165 employees, 31 are women in AEPC. Human Resources and Economic divisions are headed by women in the top management. Time has come for women in the garment industry to come forward and participate in policy-making

The post Why are women missing from export promotion councils & associations in India? appeared first on Apparel Resources

Apparel exporters in India hardly ever have time to talk, given the pressure of meeting order deadlines or dealing with the tension of slow business. Under such circumstances, how would women get relief from the insurmountable stress they encounter each and every day?

To get a better picture of this, Apparel Resources asked some of the women entrepreneurs, and was amused to find out that not all women release tension by means of shopping, vacationing, watching movie or reading a book.

Asmita Dwivedi Paliwal, Director of Abhiasmi International, (Paliwal Group), Panipat, one of the most famous companies in the Indian home furnishing segment, says, “Nothing is a better stress-buster than spending time with family. Unfortunately, we pack so much into our schedules and constantly fight to make this quality time.”

She added, “We believe more in actions than symbolic gestures. I think Women’s Day is a day to reflect

The post How do women in apparel industry in India overcome stress? appeared first on Apparel Resources

Rokeya Quader, Chairman, Desh Garments; Irene Taludkar, Director, Irene Knitwears; Munazzama Mustari Tania, Director, Musk Sweater Composite; Naseema Akhter, Proprietor, JS Apparels; Neelam Gupta, MD, DGN Apparels are some of the respected names in Bangladeshi RMG industry. While all these companies are leading the apparel export business in this country, they are doing so with women at their helm.

Rokeya Quader, wife of M Noorul Quader (who was a freedom fighter, a bureaucrat, the first Secretary to the Bangladesh Government, and then the Founder of Desh Garments), who till date is respected for building apparel exports in the country. Rokeya Quader, who is now the company Chairperson, took full control of the office in 1998 within 40 days of the demise of her husband, struggling to run the family business with

The post Women in Bangladesh’s RMG sector a motivation for industry appeared first on Apparel Resources

Bangladesh, being the second largest RMG exporter in the world, is full of opportunities, but also heavy on challenges. There are a few young women entrepreneurs, working hard to prove their mettle in this industry in this country.

Samiha Azim, Director, Shinest Group, a smart businesswoman, a devoted mother, a loving daughter and wife, part of a modern high-tech project in Himmayatpur for high-fashion garments, says, “I want to touch new heights of success. That is why we are constantly improving our factories.”

From day one, she would pose questions to anyone and everyone, only to get surprised looks from them. Today, she single-handedly manages the company, with special focus on sourcing and marketing. Her father looks after investments he’s made in varied fields outside the company. “I spend almost 12 hours in this office, and

The post Meet Bangladesh’s young women entrepreneurs appeared first on Apparel Resources

Only 6 out of Top 100 apparel firms have women at their helm!

Shocking figures, certainly. But ironically that's true, even in 21st century India. According to the Apparel Online Annual Top 100 Indian garment exporters survey (published in July 2015), only 6 companies have women at their helm.

Orient Fashion Exports, ColorLines Clothing India, Meenu Creation, Mantra Exports, Dimple Creations and New Delhi Export House are the only companies that have women holding top positions.

Man-woman ratio still in favour of men -- 60:40

Industry experts claim that the man-woman ratio in export houses on an all-India basis was still in favour of men at 60:40, but many apparel export houses from the north, which have predominantly been a man-dominated workforce, are now infusing women in their ranks.

Companies in south India have 85-90% female operators

Golden Seams Industries, Bangalore, Unisource Trend India, Tirupur have 85 to 90 per cent

The post Only 6 out of Top 100 apparel firms have women at their helm! Read on to get more such facts appeared first on Apparel Resources

For most Indians, Zurich or Davos are just places noted for world economic forums. But now there is some other, even more exciting reason for us, particularly those in the textile and apparel industry, to look towards Davos with enthusiasm.

Vanduta Khurana, President of Delhi-based export house Daks India, is in Davos to address the premium World Forum on ‘Communication on Top’. Representing the Indian apparel community, Khurana will address world-class communication experts on the Social Media Offline. “I am very glad that we, in the textile/export community, have started to pay attention to representing women,” she told Apparel Resources from Zurich.

“It is one of the biggest events for communication experts from across the world, and for us it’s a proud moment to have Vanduta speak there on our concept n2-X, which we co-founded, along with a scientist from the US. n2-X is world’s first social media

The post Vanduta Khurana of Daks India to address World Forum on ‘Communication on Top’ in Davos appeared first on Apparel Resources

MAS manufacturing facilities have set and maintained a benchmark in terms of productivity, quality and overall best practices. And that includes how they reward their women workforce for their role in their initiatives.

Forty two empowered women from MAS manufacturing facilities across Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh, were awarded out of its 72,000-strong workforce, their achievements being evaluated by a panel of eminent personalities, representing areas that include personal development, career guidance and entrepreneurship.

MAS’ hallmark women’s empowerment programme Women Go Beyond (WGB), rewarded its exceptional women associates at the Abhimani Empowered Women of the Year Awards Ceremony 2015. The ceremony recognised the efforts of MAS women, who have overcome great challenges to achieve excellence, while balancing a successful career and personal life.

The award also recognised five special award winners, who had excelled in leadership and guidance (The Promoter), entrepreneurship (The Venturer), innovation and continuous improvement (The Game

The post MAS’s Women Go Beyond benchmark for apparel industry appeared first on Apparel Resources

There are over 100 good consultants in India, covering various aspects of the apparel and textile industry, among whom there are only two women operating in the Apparel manufacturing.

Pooja Makhija, Director of Fashion Futures, Delhi and Sunaina Khanna, Director of Methods Apparel Consultancy India are the only two technology/production-based consultants in leading positions in the industry.

Pooja Makhija, who had earlier been associated with GAP, is running her own consultancy firm for the past eight years. She has executed lean system in many apparel factories. Sunaina Khanna, who is basically an industrial engineer (IE), was head of the IE department of Orient Craft. She is associated with Methods Apparel Consultancy India for the past 11 years.

Although there are several NGOs in India, working more or less in the textile and apparel sector, it was only a few years ago that someone like Anannya Bhattacharjee made an impact.

The post A few, but doing their best in Indian apparel industry appeared first on Apparel Resources

Masoma Alizada has become the first women entrepreneur in Afghanistan to open an apparel factory in the country. Besides, she also runs a store that sells long jackets and embroidered blouses -- for both women and men, produced in her factory.

Alizada, who is of Iranian origin, settled in the Bamiyan Province of Afghanistan six years ago. Now she is the proud owner of the the country’s first apparel factory in Bamiyan. She also owns a shop in a nearby market, which happens to be the first women’s market in Bamiyan province established by the governor of Bamyan in 2014, which comprise 25 shops run only by women.

“In order to create employment opportunities for women, I first started a women’s tailoring shop. Now I am happy with my work that has expanded remarkably,” Alizada says. Her apparel factory currently employs around

The post 1st women-run apparel factory in Bamyan appeared first on Apparel Resources