Amul looks at quantum growth, big expansion in next fiscal

Kolkata, Feb 19 (UNI) J G Hosiery Pvt Ltd, that owns the leading brand Amul Macho, today projected a turnover of Rs 210 crore at the end of the Q4 in March 2008 against Rs 150 crores for the corresponding period last year, with a net profit of over 10 per cent.

It also looks at a turnover of Rs 325 crores for 2008-09 fiscal.

''The company is currently on a major expansion spree. We are planning to enter the premium range of kids and ladies 'innerwear market in a big way. The coming year will witness a significant leap in its production capacities as well,'' company Director Sandeep Seksaria said here today.

''Currently, the company produces 3.5 lakh units per day. This will be catapulted to a spectacular 5 lakh units per day in the coming year. This will be possible largely by improving the backward integration and R&D initiatives. While the company plans to invest Rs 80 crores in its expansion plan with an investment of Rs 40 to Rs 50 crore for Kolkata and Rs 15 crore for a new set up in Delhi, it will also try to consolidate its business in South India," he said.

Amul Innerwear is the third largest innerwear brand in the country, after Rupa and Lux. It enjoys the number one position in certain areas like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand since more than a decade.

It is also one of the leading hosiery brands in Western and certain parts of Northern India. 2007 witnessed its entry into Bengal and North-East markets as well.

Recently, the company also stepped into the markets down South.

Considering the positive and encouraging responses, Amul hopes to turn a dominant player in all these markets.

Mr Pankaj Seksaria, elaborating on the company's expansion plans, said, ''Currently the company has production facilities at Tirupur near Coimbatore and Kolkata. We are planning to set up another factory in Delhi and augment the capacities of existing ones. The production capacity of the Kolkata factory for example will rise from 1.25 lakh pieces per day to 2 lakhs places per day." The company has a widespread distribution network across the country. To further enable smooth distribution of its products, the company also has branch offices in all major states of India.

Currently, there are 15 branches across the nation.

Mr Sandeep Seksaria added, ''We entered the innerwear market as we realized the potential for organized players in a largely unorganized industry. This provided a huge opportunity for branded players to provide good quality and stylish products. With the increase in production capacity and further aggressiveness in brand building initiatives, we are aiming to be leading national brand by the year 2010.'' UNI BA PP RN1545