Riding way above competition in the color matching business, Pantone has over the years build a reputation of offering innovative and user-friendly solutions to bring in optimum ease of color approval processes within minimum time frame. Looking after the brands interest in South India, N. Kumaresan – Color Consultant, Kayemess Marketing based in Bangalore, is very upbeat of the market and even though fashion is not really the strong point in the southern part of India, since textile and garment production is quite prominent in the region, Pantone products are well received by export-related entities. In a one-o-one with Apparel Online, Kumaresan shares how important India is to the growth strategy of the company…
AO: Are manufacturers now more open to investing in Pantone products as a value add or is it still considered a cost?
Most manufacturers are still very cautious with their spending; however, once they realize the benefit of effective color communication and efficiency in color management process brought by Pantone products, they are more willing to invest.
India is a big country and there are many opportunities with both export manufacturers and domestic retailers. I think we have covered the export market quite well but there is still a lot of work to be done to improve our communication with domestic players, especially the introduction of full range Pantone services from inspiration to production and retail. For this purpose we have collaborative seminars with trade associations and participation in trade events. We will continue or even reinforce our efforts in these areas, so as to educate customers on the importance of color management.
Earlier this year, Pantone launched PANTONEVIEW.com, an affordably priced online color intelligence site that looks at all that is happening in color around the world, from what is trending now and trade show reports to new materials and technologies and color forecasts.
The single hottest selling product from Pantone in India today is our Formula Guide, coated & uncoated, probably because this is the most well-known product with longest history.
AO: What is the hottest selling product from Pantone in India today, and why?
The single hottest selling product from Pantone in India today is our Formula Guide, coated & uncoated, probably because this is the most well-known product with longest history. However, since textile business plays a very important role in Indian economy, we always recommend our customers to use the right tool for their color management process. That said, if they are working in the textile industry, they should always refer to our PANTONE® Fashion, Home and Interiors Color System.
AO: Pantone has really increased its product offering…, any new concept that the industry can look forward to in the near future?
We believe in staying ahead of the customers, and being aware of the global color trend influence is critical for success. Earlier this year, we launched PANTONEVIEW.com, an affordably priced online color intelligence site that looks at all that is happening in color around the world, from what is trending now and trade show reports to new materials and technologies and color forecasts. We also provide custom color consulting services to those retailers or brand owners who are looking for assistance in repositioning their brands, refreshing existing product range or launching of new collection.
