Madhusudan Group is a highly acclaimed vertically integrated textile manufacturer, producing everything, from superior quality fancy yarns to a variety of top-grade finished fabrics. Its unique supply strategies and customer relationship gives it the dynamicity to perform consistently better. A stern believer in the “Dream. Create. Inspire.” philosophy, the group has left no stones unturned to think, produce and provide the best to the market. To know more about the company and its way forward plans, Apparel Views Editorial team interviewed Yatiraj Mundra, Director, Madhusudan Group. Given are some excerpts…
Please tell us more about Madhusudan Group, including your manufacturing facilities and different types of yarns and fabrics you are offering?
From incorporating leading edge machinery, to hiring qualified and skilled staff, the company makes sure of not compromising at any cost. Madhusudan Group maintains that selling the concept is more important than selling any product. It has been our persistent endeavour to serve our customers in the past and keeping pace with tradition. It will be our great pleasure to serve your present as well as future requirements. Our various offerings comprise Yarns (Fancy Hybrid Yarns), Yarn Dyeing (Solid and Space Dyed Yarns), Woven Fabrics (Rapiers & Water Jet Fabrics), Knitted fabrics (Circular Knitting, Warp Knitting, Denim Knitting), Fabric Dyeing & Printing (Digital, Flat Bed & Rotary) and Value Addition.
What are your new product developments?
We have recently launched two new series of functional textiles, namely: mRec: GRS Certified Recycled Polyester Yarn made from Post Consumer PET bottles; and mCool: Inherent Moisture Management yarns.
Polyesters have undergone tremendous technological developments in the last decade. Polyesters used to be cheap fabric, bright in luster and stiff in touch, today. However, Madhusudan is capable of making polyesters that have feel and look of natural fibres. Additionally, the biggest advantage in polyesters is the ability to impart functional properties in the raw material stage which make it durable through the life of the product.
Traditionally, Wicking has been done on finishing stage in polyesters which results in gradual degrading performance after each wash. To overcome this challenge, we’re now introducing inherent wicking properties in the yarn using cross-sectional science where performance doesn’t degrade after multiple washes. This yarn is available in all forms for various applications in weaving and knitting.
Taking an additional step towards tackling pollution and towards a Sustainable Future, we have launched a series of yarns made from post-consumer PET bottles. Each year, more than 30 mn tons (30,00,00,00,000 kg) of PET bottles are manufactured which end up either in landfills or water bodies. Recycling this to create wearable textiles is the focus at Madhusudan. We’re launching these recycled fancy yarns in all formats to cater to all knitting and weaving requirements. Additionally, the whole process is traceable with GRS certification.
What edge does Madhusudan has over other companies operating in this segment?
Madhusudan Group offers various advantages to customers and workforce. Being a vertical organization with manufacturing from greige and dyed yarn, to weaving to knitting, processing and value addition, we’re a one-stop solution for everybody’s textile needs. The group has manufacturing expertise of over 75 years with stateof- art machinery, skilled and adaptable employee base to cater to ever changing needs of the textile industry.
We believe in defining the concepts and trends in the textile industry rather than to follow them. Being trend setters in fashion fabrics, we strive every day to bring the latest innovation for our customers so that they’re ahead of the masses. The group believes in treating employees as part of a family. Hence, we’re more known as Madhusudan Parivaar. This has created an environment where every members of the Parivaar is more secure and has job stability and satisfaction resulting in unprecedented efforts from everyone to achieve the targets.
What challenges as a yarn and fabric manufacturer and supplier you are facing today?
India is a strong manufacturer of cotton and natural fibres. However, this has created a negative image of polyester in the mindset of people. People don’t realize that while they may dislike polyesters, it has already become a huge part of everyday garments. Majority of fashion brands today are increasing consumption of polyesters.
If we dare say, polyesters have progressed so well that their performance can outstrip natural fibres in various aspects. Today, instead of just absorbing sweat (like cotton), polyesters support in evaporation of sweat – thus always making you feel lighter and cooler. Further, we have inherent anti-microbial polyesters, antiodour polyesters, Recycled polyesters and various other formats. Indians need to stifle the dogma about polyesters and accept the fact that this fibre is going to take over majority of their wardrobe.
What are the latest trends in yarns and fabrics?
Being a trendsetter in fashion industry over the last couple decades, we’re forever inundated with this question – ‘What are the New Trends you’re going to bring in the market?’It is our constant endeavour to deliver value to our customers by presenting to them the innovations of the future today. India is still miles behind China, Korea and Taiwan when it comes to Performance of fabric. The reason is that we never focused on the performance previously. Our focus was only visual appeal and fancy effects. However, now customers have started to demand various performance attributes in the garments to match the international standards. Fabric Performance will be the key to future developments and if we can incorporate functional properties like we are doing with mCool and mRec, then we will wedelivering true value to the end consumer.
How was year 2018 for you as well as textile industry in terms of business?
How do you look forward to 2019 for the same?
There is no doubting that 2018 has been a challenging year for the whole textile industry. The industry has undergone tremendous shift and changes in last couple years. However, with the GST rules coming in and effects of demonetisation gradually subsiding, textile industry has a brilliant future for those people who are working in an Ethical and Organized manner. And by organized, I don’t mean becoming corporates – rather people who are working in systematic manner. An additional advantage is the rising cost of production in China. India is well-placed to take advantage of this situation and increase our exports.
What do you think industry should do to be more competitive globally?
There are two factors which come into picture when we want to compete on a global scale – a) Our production systems and b) our relations and tax structures for export to various countries. For the tax structure, various associations and working aggressively with the government to get favourable terms for exports around the world. We must assist these organisations on all possible levels to get positive results.
On India’s production system, we need to undergo a mindset shift to make ourselves competent and stand any chance against Chinese or Koreans or Taiwanese or Vietnamese etc. We need to manufacture products as per globally accepted standards with strong delivery and quality commitments. We have to absolutely remove the attitude of –“Yeh toh Chalta Hai (This will happen regardless)” and deliver on what we have promised.
What are your expectations from the govt. for further growth of this industry?
As we talked above, various associations are actively and aggressively working with the government to improve our import-export terms with the EU and the US which are the biggest textile consumption markets. I’m sure that with proper support and government’s efforts, we will succeed and our exports should increase over the coming years.
What kind of distribution network Madhusudan has right now? And, what are your promotional strategies?
Madhusudan Group works with various formats around the world. The format depends on the demography and work culture prevalent in the region. We have our own depots/offices around India in various textile hubs such as Banaras, Salem, Belgaum etc. Additional then we have a strong network of agents and traders in India and for exports. The group is exporting to more than 18 countries. For any business to start, we only associate ourselves with highly ethical and organised agencies/traders or customers.
What are Madhusudan’s way forward plans?
Madhusudan will become a textile giant with a vertical set-up right from POY/ Spinning to yarn manufacturing and dyeing, weaving, knitting, processing, fabric value addition and garmenting all under the flagship – Madhusudan Group. With three generations active into business, we’re well-poised to achieve this target in the next few years.