The company has been bagging awards year after year for its excellence as an exporter of wool and worsted yarn
Modern Woollens is the flagship company of Modern Group and was started in 1973 as a unit for spinning carpet yarns. Very soon, it occupied the slot of the largest manufacturer of carpet yarns in the organised sector. In 1987, Modern Woollens diversified into manufacturing all wool and wool-blended worsted yarn in India. In 1989, the company added the manufacturing of wool tops and doubled the production capacity of worsted yarn in the year 2006.
In 2014, the company carried out a debottlenecking exercise and added balanced machines to enhance the yearly production capacity of worsted yarn from 1,700 tons to 2,100 tons (on Nm 48). A separate sample line was added for the faster development of samples and new shades. Keeping pace with overall industrial development in India, the company now is one of the biggest manufacturers and exporters of wool and blended worsted yarn from India.
Modern Woollens, having its plant at Bhilwara, has achieved international prominence in the field of processing wool over the course of time. It enforces strict quality control in a well-equipped laboratory with Inter-Wool Lab accredited measuring instruments. The company has been bagging awards year after year for its excellence as an exporter of wool and blended worsted yarn.
Robust Infrastructure
Sharing details regarding the company’s infrastructure and capacity, Subodh Daga, President, Modern Woollens, said during an exclusive interaction: “We have well-equipped wool combing plant producing wool tops ranging from 16.5 to 28 microns with an annual capacity of 2,160 MT. The Sourcing plant is from U.K , Carding machines from Thibeau and Cie, France, Pre & Post-combing gill boxes and Combers are all from NSC, France.
The other key infrastructure features of the company include:
• Worsted Spinning: The plant is equipped to deliver 2,100 tons (on 48 nm) of worsted yarn per annum with technology to meet the benchmark quality of European standard
• Preparatory: Complete machines of NSC, France
• Ring Frames: Zinser, France and Cognitex, Italy
• Post Spinning: Auto winding from Schlaforst, Germany; parallel winders from Versa, India; and TFOs from Volkman
• Dye House: Capacity to dye 1,650 MT yearly with Data Colour and Verivide, Colour assessment cabinet to ensure perfect shade matching and consistency in colour supplies to meet the mix and match concept in the European market.
• The quality lab is equipped with all the testing instruments to ensure consistency in quality. Major instruments include evenness tester: UT4 and Classmate tester.
Major Exporter
Answering to business strategy, Mr Daga said that the immediate priority of the business is to grow its top and bottom line by enriching its product mix and enhancing its share of Value Added Products.
We always focused on creating USP. A wide range of products helps us in attracting a wide segment of customers. We have more than 150 SKUs ranging from Nm 16 to Nm 120
Answering a question on any recent investments by the company, Subodh Daga stated that the organisation has a culture to focus on continuous improvement of its product quality and productivity. Benchmarking is done with the industry’s best players. From time to time investments are made for upgrading machines and technology.
Speaking about the share of domestic business and exports, he mentioned: “Our products reach more than 25 countries across the globe including Europe, Latin America, the Far East, the Middle East, and African countries. About 80% of our turnover comes from International market.” The company started manufacturing & exporting RWS (Responsible Wool Standard) & GRS ( Global Recycled Standard) products along with certification to ensure commitment toward the environment & supplying sustainable yarn in the global market. Product branding & certification is one of the key areas in order to penetrate high-end European & Japanese markets.
The company offers yarn in pure wool and wool blends with a variety of fibres namely silk, nylon, polyester, acrylic, Tencel, and exotic fibre like cashmere and Alpaca.
These yarns are used in the following segments:
• Apparel
• Upholstery
• Knitting for sweaters, socks, and athletic wear
• Accessories such as shawls, stoles, shawls, scarfs, throws, shoes upper, etc.
Greenfield Expansion
Pointing out the competitive edge of the company and why customers should source from it even though there are other similar options available, Daga quoted: “Our vision is to be a preferred supplier of worsted yarn and wool tops. Our endeavour is to achieve on-time full delivery, provide complete technical assistance and the best services to our customers and work closely with our clients as our business partners.” According to him, Modern Woollen’s turnover in FY 2021-22 was Rs 13,129 lakhs and the company has 560 personnel on board, including 20 women. Finally, sharing his vision for the company by 2025 and beyond, he revealed: “Periodic evaluation of Technology & Investment in the strategic market segment keeps business prepared to overcome emerging challenges.
We have a plan to increase production from 2,100 MT to 2,350 MT by 2023. And also on the cards is a Greenfield project of 900 MT per annum.”