Apparel Online India Magazine January 1st Issue 2019 | Page 22

HOT TOPICS
October 1-15
Delhi-NCR still relying on value addition
for business
Among the oldest garmenting hubs in India, the
Delhi-NCR region has been known for its strength
in womenswear, mostly because of the wide value
addition options available and the small run factories
that make fashion garments. International buyers
understand this edge and place orders accordingly.
However, of late, many other hubs have also upped
their game and are offering techniques and quantities
that previously were only possible in Delhi-NCR...
“The bigger exporters have the resources to follow-
up on the GST procedures and documentation, as
also the power to pressurise the Ministry for refunds.
If you check, none of the small exporters have got the
refund yet, while the bigger companies have received
their refunds.” – Anil Varma, President,
Delhi Exporters Association
“Buyers come to us because our product is more of
niche than mass. If price is a concern, we can change
fabric depending on target prices set by buyers.
We start with at least US $ 8/9 and it goes up to US
$ 20 per piece. Majorly our business comes from
the product that varies from US $ 12 to 16. Buyers
come seeing the product. We have everything in our
product right from embroidery, print to other value
addition.” – Arjun Sehgal, Director, Mariko Plus
SPECIAL ISSUE
March 1-15
WOMEN WARRIORS
That’s A Woman! The beauty of this industry is that it has absorbed so
many women at various levels seamlessly into its fold – from the First
Fashion Designer to go Global, Ritu Beri, to a State Coordinator of ATDC,
S. Padmavathi... All these women are torchbearers of the power of women
in this industry. Playing multiple roles at work and at home, these women
have broken the barriers and raised the bar.
OSHI LAMBA Country
Head, Montrose Knitwear
The passion for this
industry gives me extra
strength to manage
work and my family
life. The long hours
and extensive travel
can sometimes take
a toll and therefore
one requires an
understanding and
supportive family...
“The idea behind setting up Alcis Sports was to
create a home-grown affordable Indian athleisure
brand which is at par with international brands
in terms of quality and also in sync with Indian
sensibilities.” – Roshan Baid, Managing Director,
Alcis Sports
“Udyog Vihar, Gurgaon is becoming very unviable
and difficult to work in now, more so as other
industries have also come up very strongly in and
around the area, which are attracting the workers
more, and also putting immense pressure on the
infrastructure.” – Aditya Mathur, Director,
Akriti Creations
“Definitely increased wage is always a burden but
there is no option. As we knew well in advance
that minimum wage has to grow from this month,
tentatively, one could plan in advance accordingly.”
– Rajeev Bansal, MD, Celestial Knits & Fabs,
Noida and Divisional Chairman, Indian Industries
Association, Meerut
PRIYANKA GUPTA Senior
Merchandiser, Jagmini
Micro Knit, Kanpur
This industry is
demanding, and it
becomes sometimes
difficult to take out
time for friends and
family. I have followed
one rule strictly and
that is to be absolutely
punctual with reference
to office hours. No
late coming and no
sitting late. Initially,
I faced problems in
getting support of my
colleagues and staff
working with me...
22 Apparel Online India | JANUARY 1-15, 2019 | www.apparelresources.com
NAMRATA RAINA
Sourcing and
Merchandising
Manager, UCB, Noida
I have spent a long
time of my career
in manufacturing
operations, so it is
imperative to go
out to the actual
work sites and
review progress of
bulk production.
On one such site of
handwork and tie &
dye factory, located
in interiors of the
region, we had quite
a big order being
subcontracted. When
I went to this site,
to my surprise, I saw
maximum workforce
as women who were
equally surprised to
see me since they
were mostly used to
seeing men officers
visiting…
ARCHANA TOMAR
MANN Group Head –
Compliance, CSR & HR
(Wovens and Sweaters),
Orient Craft Limited
Yes, to be very honest!
Few years back, there
were gender biases as
we work with people
from all walks of life.
So having gender
bias comes naturally,
but thanks to the
unwavering support
from top management
and the buyer’s
involvement towards
worker’s welfare...
REKHA MENON
Executive Assistant
to Directors, Texport
Industries, Mumbai
From a woman’s
perspective, the
missing element in
this industry is the
never-ending work
time. The garment
industry should allow
flexible timing for
women, especially in
the morning, which is
critical for women with
school-going children.