Garment sector looks to accessories to value add

Reena Mital

INTEX, India’s first international sourcing event for apparel fabrics and accessories, was jointly organised in Mumbai by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) and Worldex India.

As many as 110 fabrics and accessories manufacturers and suppliers participated in the event, which attracted 6,000 visitors. Exhibitors were satisfied with the response to the show, with most participants happy with the quality of visitors.

Along with leading Indian mills, a number of companies from Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Korea also participated in the fair.

Ruby Mills, one of the exhibitors at the show had on display an innovative dyeing technology. Speaking to Express Textile, Mr Viraj M Shah, executive director, Ruby Mills, said, “This is a new dyeing concept, wherein the fabric looks like a printed one, but the effect is actually achieved through dyeing. This is the first time that this technology has been used in India.”

He further stated that with Italy slowing down in terms of fabric production, there was immense potential in the export and domestic markets for high quality processed fabrics. “We have changed the product mix, and are more fashion oriented now. There are investments taking place in the powerloom sector, production has increased, but quality of the fabric is still not good. We believe that processing lends real value to the fabric, and thus we are always introducing newer textures, designs, colours, etc. We are in the process of building our design team too.”

The company is also planning to diversify into high value garments. “This will take a year or so, as we do not want to get into the product segments that are already being catered to by most of the exporters. We want to study the market completely, develop the capability of sharper trend predictions, and we want to move into exports of specialised apparel, which require scientific production techniques, arthrometric studies, etc.” According to him, “India is sadly lagging in these segments and production technologies, which is the reason our garment exports have not grown much, post-quota. I believe our exports could have grown 50 per cent, if we focussed on using the right technologies and tools, and understood the markets better.”

Talking about the need for importing fabrics from China, he said, “The huge capacities in China makes it possible to get very quick deliveries of the basic fabrics. Indian garmenters are under a lot of pressure to meet shorter delivery times, and tighter price points. This attracts them to source fabric from China.” He however believes that the conditions in China will change over the next 3-5 years, with a shift to market economy. “Also, China’s domestic market is growing at a very fast pace, and a lot of production would be diverted to there from exports, where prices could also be better than in the international markets.”

Meanwhile, demand for denim continues to remain strong, with most companies increasing capacities. Says Mr Ram Srinivasan, DGM, marketing, K G Denim, “We have introduced some new concepts - pigment prints on denim have received good response at Intex, gel finish is another new denim finish, which has also got encouraging response.”

Another participant, Banbury Exports was also happy with the response at the fair. The company is a manufacturer and exporter of 100 per cent cotton shirting fabrics, and of bottomwear fabrics of 100 per cent wool, polywool and poly-viscose blends. The company is in the process of upgrading quality, to compete with China. According to Mr Rajesh Modi, director, Banbury Exports, “There is competition from China, but India has the advantage of design skills, and can supply small lots. This is becoming very important post-quota.” Banbury is also planning to move into garment exports within the next two years. “Our fabric buyers are also demanding that we supply the readymade garment. We could move into the domestic market too, as we see plenty of unfulfilled demand in the rural markets,” said Mr Modi.

Sky Industries, the top manufacturer of narrow fabrics and hook and loop fasteners, introduced some new products - satin tapes, velvets, designer cords, tassles for home furnishings. “Our aim is to target the high value garment manufacturers, exporters, and to make them aware about how such products can be used to add value to the garment. We want the industry to look upon Sky Industries as a one stop shop for all narrow fabric requirements. With these innovative products, we want to position ourselves as not just industrial suppliers, but also as suppliers of fashion accessories,” stated company officials.

A number of companies from Hong Kong, China, France, Peru, Vietnam, Italy, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Korea, Thailand, Pakistan, Taiwan, also participated in the event.

One Chinese company, Jiangsu Dongsheng Aike Technology Co Ltd had on offer artificial fur fabrics. According to officials of the company, “We did not receive a very good response. Maybe the Indian market is not the right one for these fabrics. We are here to explore this market.”

China’s largest zipper manufacturer, SBS Zipper Company Ltd, also participated in the fair, and was able to meet some of the largest Indian garment manufacturers as also international buyers. Thai Tafetta Co Ltd had on offer curtains, and also polyester and nylon woven fabrics. According to Mr Verachai Tantikaroon, export sales executive, “We are looking at the Indian market and hope to make some inroads here.” The Thai textile industry is going through a difficult phase because of the China factor, post-quota.

The Thai textile industry has also begun importing a lot of basic fabrics from China, but continues to remain strong in value-added fabrics and garments. The industry there is also focussing on supplying textiles and clothing of higher value, more varieties in smaller volumes, as competing with China in mass production is difficult. Most of these countries are now also looking at India as an emerging market for exports of textiles and apparel.