Arvind jumps from shirts to sheets

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 7/21/2003 12:00:00 AM

NEW YORK —

Apparel manufacturer Arvind Mills recently entered the home textiles market, and has begun producing sheet sets, duvet covers and shams for the U.S. and European markets.

The 72-year-old company, which maintains an office here under the name Arvind Worldwide and is based in Ahmedabad, India, currently generates annual sales of $350 million, exporting its fabrics and garments to more than 70 countries, including the United States.

In the home textiles area, Arvind will leverage its capacity to produce sateens, dobbies, stripes and jacquards. It will offer yarn-dyed, piece-dyed and indigo-dyed varieties, according to Manoj Mathur, head of international business development.

"Arvind's major strength is its strong R&D and product development," Mathur told HTT. "The timing is also right as the quota will end on Jan. 1, 2005. This would give us time to gain an insight into the US market and take the opportunity when quotas are abolished."

The vertical mill operates its own spinning units, which produce yarns from 5.3s to 2-ply 170 made from pima and giza cottons. The company also produces compact and zero twist yarns as well as micro fibers, Mathur said.

The home textiles line will target department stores and specialty stores, he said, although Arvind also is interested in working with wholesalers and importers who sell into those channels.

Arvind's principal business includes denim production, cotton shirting, gaberdines and khakis, and knitted fabrics and garments.