Trident adds looms to meet demand

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 2/23/2004 12:00:00 AM

LUDHIANA, INDIA —

Terry towel manufacturer Trident Group is stepping up its capacity and stepping up its U.S. presence by opening a permanent showroom in New York.

Trident's vertically integrated towel mill — Abhishek Industries Ltd. — will add 96 looms between June and September, which will raise capacity from 3.2 million pieces per month to 7 million to 8 million pieces per month. During the latter half of 2004 and first quarter of 2005, Trident will add an additional 60 looms, raising capacity to 10 million pieces per month.

"We're gearing ourselves to meet greater demand in the U.S.," said P.K. Markanday, joint managing director.

Trident's $50 million towel business encompasses bath, beach and specialty towels. The company also implemented SAP earlier this year, and by June expects to be interfacing with customers online in real time, Markanday said.

Trident also is taking a showroom in New York at 295 Fifth Ave. For the past four years, the company has shown at the New York Home Textiles Market out of hotel locations.

"The company has grown, capacity has grown. The idea is to service the customer better in his own time zone at a permanent address," Markanday said.