Interview with Mr B K Patodia
Mr B K Patodia
CMD
GTN Group
CMD
GTN Group
India would definitely benefit by expanding the base for organic clothing as more than 50 per cent of the share in the world production of organic cotton is that of India.
The story of GTN group began with a modest takeover of a spinning factory in 1966. The Group is one of the pioneers in the Indian Textile Industry with specialized focus and interest in manufacturing and exporting 100% Fine and Super-fine combed Cotton Yarns & Knitted Fabrics.
GTN has roots in the Textile business for almost 100 years. The founders were in the raw cotton & yarn trading family business. They entered into manufacturing activities in 1965 by starting GTN Textiles Ltd in the small town of Alwaye, Kerala, India.
Today GTN is a professionally managed, multi-location textile conglomerate with 215,000 operative spindles, including 100,000 Compact spindles, and a turnover of over Rs. 650 crores (approximately 150 million USD). Since 1985-86, GTN Group has received 29 Export Awards from Texprocil for excellence in cotton yarn exports.
Born in 1944, Mr B K Patodia is at the helm of GTN Group of Companies. He is the CMD of GTN Textiles Limited and Chairman of Patspin India Limited and GTN Enterprises Limited.
Mr Patodia is the past Chairman of the Joint Cotton Committee of International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), Zurich. He is a member of the Advisory Board on the Committee of Management of ITMF. He is also a member of the Spinners Committee of ITMF. He has also been Chairman of the Texprocil, Mumbai and the Indian Cotton Mills’ Federation, (now known as CITI) and Southern India Mills’ Association, Coimbatore.
Mr Patodia is a Director on the Boards of several leading Companies and is also a Member of several Government Committees including the Cotton Advisory Board and Cotton Yarn Advisory Board appointed by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. He is also actively involved in the Sub-Group on Cotton to formulate National Fibre Policy of the Ministry of Textiles.
Mr Patodia holds an Engineering degree from Birla Institute of Science and Technology- Pilani.
Mr BK Patodia, speaking with Ms Madhu Soni, Sr Editor & Correspondent- Face2Face, discusses about India's potential to cater emerging market of organic clothing.
Mr Patodia, welcome to the talk. Setting in the discourse, I would request your comments on textile related announcements in budget 2011 and its repercussions on the industry currently.
As far as the spinning industry is concerned, there are no proposals in the Budget affecting its current working. According to me, the spinning sector will perform satisfactorily over the next 3-4 years.
The Budget, however, has proposed a 10 per cent mandatory excise duty on branded garments, which is being opposed by the garment industry.
What are your comments on 2% Market Focus Scheme on garment exports to EU?
It has been reported that 2 per cent Market Focused Scheme has definitely helped stabilize garment exports to EU and US markets.
GST implementation also is in line. What impacts it will make on Indian Textile Industry?
Implications of introduction of GST on various sectors of textile industry are under study of industry associations and therefore a definite view can be expressed only after clarity is reached on the same.
Organic clothing is to maintain its luster, especially as the world is getting eco-savvy now. What level of success India would get in catering such markets?
India would definitely benefit by expanding the base for organic clothing as more than 50 per cent of the share in the world production of organic cotton is that of India. Further, the production of organic cotton in India is slated to expand. GTN Group of Mills also produces a large quantity of organic cotton yarn and has been in the forefront of such production.
Just a few years past story reveals China had upper hand over Indian textile-garments but today, it seems altogether the other way round. What say?
The international situation is dynamic and therefore to say that India will overtake China at this stage is premature.
Your Group owns two brands i.e. in Casual wear –Chimp, and women fashion wear –Tangle. These both cater to different segments altogether. What science goes behind success of brands in respective categories?
Chimp is a branded range of super cool t-shirts and merchandise.
In keeping with GTN’s commitment to the environment, all Chimp t-shirts are made of 100% certified, organically grown cotton.
Chimp’s product range consists of T-shirts, Mugs, Bags, Notebooks, Badges, Cushions and Poster Frames amongst many other products.
Chimp mugs are available across 1016 outlets of Café Coffee Day, India’s largest Coffee Shop chain.
We also sell online at www.chimpwear.com , through select MBOs and through our flagship store at Inorbit Mall, Vashi, thus setting a roadmap for rapid expansion.
Chimp is also active on the Social Media front with a rapidly expanding fan base (www.facebook.com/chimpwear)
Chimp has tied up with some of the most talented designers in India and releases a brand new design every Friday.
The science behind the success of the brand is delighting the TG with new and relevant designs every week. We believe in being very active on the social marketing front which helps us communicate with fans daily. Strong distribution across India via Café Coffee Day gives the brand excellent top of the mind recall across its TG.
Any plans on diversification?
GTN Group of Mills will continue to expand its spinning capacity to broad base its range of specialized cotton yarn for high end users.
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Published on: 11/04/2011
DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.