BANGALORE, India — The business of pure silk exports is now a thing of the past but companies like Swadeshi Silks, Bangalore, chose to adapt to the new realities rather quickly. 

Swadeshi currently sells US$6 million a year and is targeting $10 million in the next 5 years. “The company expects to further focus on strengthening its weaving techniques with different silk blends in natural fibers. These constructions will be adapted to suit the market driven price points with pure silk limited to only 20 percent of our collection,” he said.

“I joined my family business in 1991 and assumed that I am joining a big business entity and soon realized that we had just six handlooms for weaving,” begins Sunil Gupta, partner at Swadeshi Silks. The company now has 12 jacquard looms, two dobby and several other power looms. Export began in 1998. “Backed by a six designer team, we offer three exclusive collections each year as our in-house designs gain acceptance by global editors. This is     driving our business”, he explained.