Zenith increases sales and export with made-ups

April 14, 2003

MYSORE, India – By entering the silk made-ups business, the Zenith Group, which reports sales of $25 million, believes it is on its way to becoming one of the largest suppliers in the Indian silk industry. Surendra.K. Loyalka, managing director and principal of the group, expects Zensilk, the made-up collection to dramatically boost turnover and generate new export opportunities.

Already Zenith Export Ltd., which sells Zensilk made-ups, has been tapped as a supplier of made-up curtains and cushion covers to major chain stores in the U.K. The company also maintains an office on Fifth Avenue in New York that deals in made-ups. Loyalka is looking for a joint-venture partner in the U.S.A. to expand American operations. He is also considering growth opportunities in China.

Zenith offers a complete silk line including satin silk, jacquard silk, embroidered silk and silk taffeta and dobby patterned silk. The company offers patterns with 55-inch repeat on jacquard qualities and offers wide width fabrics of up to 83 inches.

''With made-ups the buyer has an advantage in buying from Zenith because we offer a seamless production chain from yarns to finished textiles. We'll also do the customized packaging for the buyer if necessary,'' Loyalka said.

For manufacturing high quality silk fabrics, Zenith uses the highest grade of Chinese mulberry silk yarn. Indian silk produced locally goes into the manufacture of fabrics for domestic consumption by handloom and powerloom weavers.

Zenith's sales include $16 million in silk fabrics with varying degrees of embellishments and value addition. The balance comes from the group's operations in areas such as polyester viscose yarn for export to Turkey and Europe and industrial gloves.

The firm is also exploring whether to launch an industrial textiles business.

''Indian suppliers' ability to deliver smaller quantities of silk with great design diversity puts them into a decided advantage compared to their Chinese counterparts who work with larger minimums,'' Loyalka said. ''That's why the Indians have a brilliant future in the silk fabric and made-ups business.''

''Few Indian silk companies have the range of our capabilities,'' said Loyalka. ''Zenith runs the shuttleless silk weaving machines at high speeds and offers short runs, consistent colors and quality from the ISO9001 certified facility conforming to world standards.''

Zenith's 55,000-square-foot manufacturing facility sits on 16.5 acres (seven hectares) of land near Mysore. The company utilizes three Nedgraphics CAD systems at its headquarters in Bangalore and a fourth system at the mill in Nanjangud near Mysore.

Zenith uses British and Dutch facilities to print exclusive designs on silk fabrics, which target sophisticated markets in the U.S.



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