Zuki to fight rivals

Ravels International, a garment export house in Kirti Nagar, New Delhi, is planning to import a sophisticated machinery called Zuki from Japan. Ravels expects the new machinery to revolutionise sewing, improve the quality and increase production.

"We are always put to shame by the high quality of garments coming from countries like Hongkong, China, Taiwan etc., which is mainly due to the superior machinery they possess. But when our buyers see this machine, they will feel confident about our quality and ability to produce the shipment on time. We will definitely get more business", says Rakesh Handa, Manager, Ravels. Zuki will cost Rs 22,000 a piece on installation.

Profitable vistas

Ahmad, proprietor of Handmades, a hand-crafted jewellery export unit in Turkman Gate, worried at the uncertain future of Indian hand-crafted jewellery in the international market, is slowly switching over to the export of other gift items, which have tremendous overseas demand. "The trouble with hand-crafted jewellery is that it requires high quality raw materials, which we cannot get access to easily because of the stringent import-export policies of our country,"says Ahmad. Other international competitors like Korea and China do not face such problems and can, therefore, produce jewellery which is of a better quality, and clinch the most lucrative deals.

"That is why I have started concentrating more on the export of gift items like candle-holders, pen-holders, flower vases, etc. which have a ready market. I doubt whether I can meet all the orders that have started coming in for Christmas," he says. Ahmad is trying to increase his production by hiring more workers . "It is not possible to find a large number of artisans in Delhi That is why I am looking for workers in the adjacent states.

The winning edge

Cane Furniture Manufacturing Company, Hari Nagar, a unit which makes and supplies cane furniture country-wide wants to begin exports. "We manufacture every thing from stools to sofa sets. Our market is flourishing. This has increased our confidence. We have decided to export our products to the United States and European countries," says proprietor Vikas Arora.

Arora has explored the foreign markets and has discovered that he'll make considerable profits given the prevailing prices in these markets. "We will have an edge over others and getting orders will not be a problem." Arora is confident of making a grand entry into the international market within four months.

Spreading wings

Raja Tiles, a hand-made ceramic mural and art tiles manufacturer in NOIDA, is opening another unit in Faridabad and has great hopes pinned on it. "Our customers have liked our product and showed their appreciation by demanding more and more of it," said Rajesh Mathur, a partner. The turnover is expected to double.

The new unit will expand in-house facilities to reduce outside dependence to the minimum. "Previously we used to depend on others for the supply of raw tiles, so we did not have any control on their quality."

In the Faridabad unit, all inputs, from the clay stage, will be produced in-house by artisans, ensuring high quality. Producing murals, tiles and jaalis, Raja Tiles is planning to diversify and produce other decoration items too.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.