Despite different types of challenges, a few Indian apparel exporters are on their toes for good growth and are taking up multiple steps for further development. One such company is Tirupur-based Cylwin Knitfashions. Having a current turnover of US $ 10 million, this more than three-decades-old company is further enhancing its capacity, adding new clients and focusing on new products. It is also participating in the upcoming edition of the premium sourcing show, Apparel Sourcing Week (ASW). In discussion with Apparel Resources (AR), T. Chinnasamy, MD of the company, shared details about their new initiatives, latest product offerings and sustainable developments.
Strong in-house infrastructure is one of the biggest strengths of the company as it is well-equipped with the latest types of machinery in all divisions right from cutting room to sewing, knitting, printing and embroidery etc. All these help the company to have better control over quality and timely delivery.
New developments
Currently, the company has a manufacturing capacity of 2 million garments per month (including kidswear, womenswear and menswear) and it is leaving no stone unturned to grow further as it is enhancing its capacity and planning to set up a new factory along with 1500 sewing machines near Tirupur only. This project is being taken up with a total investment of around Rs. 50 crore and the production in this facility is expected to start by next year.
Being Sedex and Disney-approved, Cylwin Knitfashions is enhancing its product basket and its focus is to add sportswear, athleisure and sustainable fashion products. T. Chinnasamy believes that these products are going to reap great results in the forthcoming seasons, so the company is focused on the same.
“We are also participating in Apparel Sourcing Week (ASW) as we believe that it will be a good platform especially to connect with buyers from GCC, Japan and Australian buyers. We are optimistic that ASW ’23 will support to enhanceour business.” T. Chinnasamy MD, Cylwin KnitFashions
Cylwin Knitfashions is already dedicated to the use of sustainable raw materials and various blends like cotton hemp, recycled poly cotton, bamboo cotton viscose linen, tencel lyocell poly viscose, viscose recycled polyester, cotton viscose micro modal and modal polyester. With growing buyers’ demand, the company is having more thrust on sustainable garments and various sustainable blends are being explored.
New markets are also on the radar
Working with prestigious buyers like C&A, Primark, LA HALE, TAPE A L’oil, NEXT, Kiabi and Carrefour, the company has recently added a new client also. As of now, it is having 60 per cent of its business with the EU and 10 per cent with the US and there is no restriction or strategy for not dealing with more US customers or buyers from other markets.
“We are very much satisfied with European countries’ business as our clients are happy with our overall commitment and work. To add more buyers from various countries, we will definitely fulfil their expectations. That is why we are also participating in Apparel Sourcing Week (ASW) as we believe that it will be a good platform especially to connect with buyers from GCC, Japan and Australian buyers. We are optimistic that ASW ’23 will support to enhance our business,” said T. Chinnasamy.
Apparel Sourcing Week (ASW), the one-of-its-kind sourcing show, is taking place on 20th and 21st July in Bengaluru where Cylwin Knitfashions will display its collection of sportswear, athleisure and sustainable products.
So far the company’s product offerings have been majorly into kidswear and womenswear but going forward, its plan is to focus more on menswear which is currently around 10 per cent of the company’s production. To achieve the same, it has already approached a few US clients popular in this segment.
“Kidswear and menswear are already strong areas for us and to avail further opportunities, we now have thrust on menswear also. Though due to the recessionary trends in EU and US, the current business is less than past year, but we are hopeful that with our consistent efforts and new initiatives, we will achieve 20 per cent to 30 per cent growth in current fiscal,” concluded T. Chinnasamy.
