Gokak to foray into innerwear

Gokak Textiles Limited (GTL), a part of the $4 billion Shapoorji Pallonji Group, is planning to make a foray into the readymade garments industry with the launch of innerwear for men and children under its own brand, 'Fac it'. The products will be launched in September this year.

The 121 year old company, which has been exporting textile goods, has invested Rs 160 crore in its factories at Gokak and Marihal in Belgaum district over the last three years to install additional capacity to meet the requirements for its new product line.

Said H S Bhaskar, Executive Director and CEO, GTL, "All these years we were supplying fabric to many European and American brands. With the increase in our manufacturing capacity, we have planned to launch our own branded garments for the Indian markets. To begin with we will launch undergarments for men and by next year launch innerwear for women and also readymade trousers and shirts for men."

 

During the first year, the company is aiming at a sales of Rs 10 crore and Rs 100 crore by 2010. Presently, GTL manufactures knitted garments and has set up a fully integrated garment factory at Belgaum and supplies garments to most of the major brands in India like Peter England, John Players, Globus, Pantaloons and international brands like Charles Vougle, Berton, M&S, Andrew Sports, Debanhams among others.

Recently, Gokak Textiles also launched sweaters under the Campbell brand for both domestic and export markets. It is setting up a new unit at Ludhiana at an investment of Rs 18 crore. It also aims to launch polo shirts and trousers by April 2009.

Bhaskar said the company is also in talks with the Indian armed forces for supplying a special infra-red camouflage fabric for covering aircraft as well as uniform fabric for the defence personnel. Presently, it is supplying this fabric to the armies of France and Belgium and has bagged an order from the army of Spain.

Gokak Textiles, which reported a marginal growth of 5.7 per cent in its turnover to Rs 370 crore in 2007-08, is aiming at a growth of 10-12 per cent in 2008-09.