Sourcing hubs use the Indian base to source their fabrics and export them to different countries. Sourcing hubs do not cater to the needs of the domestic market. However, some players like the Kolhapur-based Tessitura Monti India Private Ltd. (TMIPL), which began its business as a sourcing hub, also established a brand for the domestic Indian market.
Tessitura Monti’s Indian plant is part of the well-known Italian textile major, Monti Group, which was founded by Giorgio Monti in the middle of 1800s in the small town of Varago in the north-eastern part of Italy. In 1911, Giorgio’s sons, Evaristo, Venerio and Bruno, brought their invaluable experience as a machinist group, officially founded Monti Brothers Company with just 20 hand-operated looms and three automatic looms. Work and development continued with the same tenacity and far-sightedness even after 100 years, thanks to the constant fundamental that characterizes Monti Textiles – the capacity to see well ahead and to always make the right and most appropriate choices.
The Venetian Group also controls Tessitura Monti Srl, Tessitura Monti India Pvt. Ltd., SIC TESS Srl, and is a partner in the joint venture of The Pack of the Brand Clothing Ltd., Laguna Clothing Mauritius Ltd., Aurora Apparel Pvt. Ltd., and Schoch Reeds India Pvt. Ltd.
The consolidated turnover of the group exceeds 100 million Euro’s, of which 65 per cent is accounted for by exports. The annual fabric output is over 25 million metres. The group employs approximately 2,500 persons worldwide, in its two plants in Italy, two in the Czech Republic and one in India.
A total of 36 million metres of cotton yarn is transformed into warp and weft for more than 30-35,000 metres of fabric in more than 2,300 variants – the staggering numbers from the company on a day-to-day basis. More than 291,000 sq. metres in open air and 60,000 sq. metres of built-up area housing most modern technology enable Monti to play the role of a protagonist with the most appealing offer in every market in the world.
Recently we got an opportunity to visit the Indian production site of the Monti Group located at Kolhapur in Maharashtra. Spanning over 87 acres of land, this green facility was opened in 2002. Abundant availability of raw materials, cheap labour and low cost of production are reasons behind Monti starting its Indian operations.
The Indian plant had an initial capacity of four million metres with only yarn dyeing, preparatory and weaving machines. As demand picked up, the Italian major extended into process house as part of forward integration. The capacity was increased to 11 million metres over a period of time.
Moving to the technology part, the production facility of Tessitura Monti at Kolhapur is equipped with the latest and most modern machines available in the market today. Also one finds all the state-of-the-art technology from Picanol, Saurer, Benninger, Karl Mayer, Brueckner, Monforts and Pozzi being vastly used in the different units in operation. TMIPL uses the standard testing and quality control equipments supplied by Uster to provide best quality products. The self-sufficient 87-acre green facility is equipped with advanced ETP supplied by A.T.E.
Over the decades, the Monti Group has emerged a specialist in producing 100 per cent cotton yarn dyed shirting for finer count formal shirting wear. It is well known in the market for very heavy satin design with complicated colour combinations which are very difficult to weave. With a wide range of products in its portfolio, TMIPL is all geared up to cater to any customer’s requirement from across the globe.
Some of the big international brands like Hugo Boss, Charles Tyrwhitt and Thomas Pink are customers of Tessitura Monti. The Indian production facility was set up mainly for export but that doesn’t mean it does not supply locally. The Kolhapur unit supplies 25 per cent of its production to domestic markets which, in turn, is being used by brands like Blackberry, Zodiac, Raymonds, etc.
“The success of Tessitura Monti India has prompted other international shirting manufacturers to set up their production unit in and around Kolhapur. They are here today because of our success story,” proudly says Mr. Kelkar, Director – Operations, Tessitura Monti India.
In order to supply its customers with the best fabrics available, which clearly stand out from the conventional grades by virtue of their quality and their processing and serviceability properties, TMIPL is systematically investing heavily on training and technology.
Fabric quality and production processes strictly comply with the standard European norms. Hence a product from the Kolhapur facility will have the same properties and finish as that of an Italian or a Czech facility. Everything is standardized, right from the use of raw materials at the first step to the chemicals used in the last step.
“2014 has been a great year for us in terms of balance sheet figures and sales number. Year on year the Indian company is able to register a growth of 20%,” stressed Mr. Kelkar during the exclusive interview with The Textile Magazine. “Furthermore I’m very confident that the ‘Make in India’ program of the Modi Government is going to push the Indian textile industry to greater heights.”
The Team at Monti constantly strives to provide the world’s top retailers and brands with an integrated platform for making of formal and semi-formal shirts of superior quality and greater value for money. The constant endeavour to remain the undisputed reference point in the world market of textiles for shirt-making is the ultimate growth driver at Tessitura Monti.
Mr. S. Rajendran, Vice President, A.T.E. Enterprises, said: “Monti is a well-known producer of yarn dyed shirtings in the global market. We do enjoy a healthy relationship with Monti. Our principals, Goller and Monforts, have supplied machines for wet processing. Goller has supplied its Chain Merceriser which is a proven technology in the global market, especially for yarn dyed shirtings. It enhances the lustre of the fabric and also helps maintain dimensional stability.”
Monforts has supplied its stenter and MxL ranges. The MxL range is the unique product of Monforts which is being used for moist cross linking process. Compared to the conventional process, the treatment time is shorter and it gives the desired results on crease recovery.
“A.T.E. Envirotech” is one of our group companies dealing with waste water treatment, and they are well known for their AAA technology. We have upgraded the ETP of Monti by our AAA technology, and they are very happy with the end results. Recently we have concluded a deal for UF/RO for further up gradation. We do extend our regular support on after-sales service through our Customer Support Group. We are proud to be a partner of Monti, and we do enjoy working with them”.