K.K. Lalpuria, President, Indo Count
How was the year 2018 for Indo Count?
The year 2018 was a bit challenging one business wise due to factors like the volatile market scenario, mismatch between demand and supply, etc. One of the biggest achievements is our association with the University of Leeds for structured research and product development. As for sustainability initiatives, our facility was audited by OekoTex and we have been awarded with the STeP certificate. On the cotton front, our company is participating in the CITI-CDRA project which aims at providing farmers social upliftment. The other impacts are to improve yield and production of cotton, plant protection and Nutrient Management technologies and equipping the farmers with these technologies for sustaining cotton production and improving the economic status of the farmers who are the weakest link in the cotton value chain.
Within the home textiles segment, what is the current product range you offer to the market?
In sheets, we offer Top Hem, Duvet Cover, Fitted Sheets and Pillow Sheet Sets. On the fashion side, we have a full range of quilts and comforters. On the utility bedding side, we have launched our new brand “WHOLE COMFORT” offering mattress pad and mattress protector, thus extending our sheet innovation to this area.
Which are the key global markets for your home textile business?
The US remains our key market, followed by the UK and Europe. We grew our business in the UK and some selected European and Scandinavian markets.
Did you launch any new products recently?
We have launched our full range of utility bedding line under the brand “Whole Comfort” during September Market Week 2018. We have also launched the Pure Collection and the Atlas Brand in fashion bedding. Both of them had good response.
Home textiles is a highly competitive segment with many global players and a large number of Indian companies are aggressively competing for a share of business. Given this scenario, why should a buyer consider sourcing from your company? What are the advantages you offer?
We are a bed linen-focused company. This means that we specialize rather than generalize. Our core competence is innovation wherein our specialized team constantly does research and study consumerism to bring about complete product and merchandising solutions. We are a financially strong company, and we want to be price competitive as well.
Currently what is the manufacturing capacity? Are you planning any major investments?
We are focused on the bed linen segment as a vertically integrated manufacturer and have a scalable capacity of 90 million meters per annum, which translates to 22 million sheet set a year. As a company, we constantly upgrade and invest into technology and automation, thereby striving to provide our customer newness in product and enhance the service level. We will be investing around $10-15 million in the coming year depending upon the need of the hour.
What are your expectations in 2019 and beyond?
As a company we are well positioned globally as a key supplier in the bed linen segment. The global home textile market is growing, and we would like to contribute to the growth by providing new products and services. We keep working out consumer insights, and through our constant research and product development, we intend providing customer satisfaction to the extent possible.
Our vision is to be among the top three bed linen suppliers in the world, and through our people we would make full efforts to see that we sustain this position.