Morarjee Mills weaves new designs for its textile business

Mumbai: Ashok Piramal''s Mumbai-based Morarjee Textiles is planning to change its focus to garments for the international market as part of its forward integration plans, seeking a year-on-year growth of 50 per cent.

The company is set to acquire a larger global footprint across Europe and Asia, having set up a wholly owned subsidiary in Italy under the name ''Morarjee International'' to enhance access to European markets.

Morarjee Mills currently makes premium voiles and high-fashion printed fabrics for the Middle East, Far East and North African markets.

Its expansion plans include expanding its manufacturing capacity by four times from the present levels. At present, its Bangalore unit is capable of producing 1.2 million pieces per annum.

Its premium shirting, including Integra Apparels & Textiles and Men''s Club brands, has allowed the company to access the European markets, and will help extend the group''s operations into garments and retail, thereby expanding the group''s footprint from manufacturing to retail.

The company plans to invest Rs150 crore over the next two years to set up manufacturing units at Bangalore, and will invest Rs50 crore on adding 25,000 spindles, taking the tally to 55,000 at its Nagpur plant. Capacities for producing an additional 2.4 million pieces will be in place by March 2008.

Morarjee Textiles'' customer list comprises some of the leading brands like Banana Republic, Robert Talbott, Ann Taylor, Zodiac and Louis Phillippe.