New York — Primus, a high-end Indian bedlinen manufacturer, will open an office in New Jersey in January, according to managing director T.A. Rajah. The move enables Primus to forego dealing with U.S. importers, who Rajah claims, are leveraging the slew of goods from emerging sources in order to pressure established exporters into accepting lower prices. Primus exports nearly 100 percent of its production to the U.S.A.

Using the new office as a base, Primus plans to call on retailers and small boutiques.

"Importers in the U.S. are trying to create unhealthy competition among producers in India," Rajah said during the New York Home Textiles show. "They're asking for low, low prices but still selling at high prices. I think the textile business importers will be nowhere when I set up my office." F&FI