Jaipur has gone beyond its traditional identification of being known for tie-and-dye, block print, handwork and is currently producing everything. Today, there are many companies in the pink city which are doing an annual business of more than Rs. 100 crore, which was not the case a decade ago. Stalwarts of this hub even claim that in the coming years, few of the companies in this city will touch the figure of Rs. 200 crore.
Going a step further, the city’s entrepreneurs and the association are geared up for further improvement… it seems possible that Jaipur might soon become the next Tirupur. Many reasons like the collective efforts being given for a mindset change, speeding up the process for the industry’s own training institute in the city, hint towards this plausibility. Some of the factories too are making a difference with their innovative products, R&D and so on. Many apparel exporters have created their niche as far as product offering is concerned; similarly their market focus and client base is also diverted now. No doubt, there is lot more to do and that too with greater aggressiveness. Apparel Resources, in discussion with the established manufacturers of this emerging hub, finds out their viewpoints on the same and presents to you their opinion on the changing direction of Jaipur- a city dedicated to ladieswear, home furnishing products with 300 strong companies. Let’s see how this city (Jaipur) is marching towards becoming the next Tirupur, one of India’s best apparel manufacturing hubs.
Growth Expectation: 25 to 30 per cent
There are three pivotal things that the city needs at present to elevate its status: (a) technology upgradation; (b) more and more initiatives for organising sourcing events like Vastra to boost export; (c) requirement for holding shows on accessories (trims) which is a big constraint in the city. GEAR is concentrating on all these points and we are positive regarding the same. Recently we had a meeting with the Government officials and they have assured us to give land for training purpose. The infrastructure we will create will be as per industry requirement. Once we get this land, the scarcity of trained mid- and top-level professionals will get covered up eventually with time.
Growth Expectation: 10 per cent
As far as apparel manufacturing is concerned, Jaipur has marked its presence on the Indian map. When I came to Jaipur two decades ago from Mumbai, there were very few buyers who used to frequent the city but now every client of ours’ comes to Jaipur. And looking at the potential and other allied things, more positive changes will take place soon. For example, quilted jackets (in interesting packaging) are being manufactured in Jaipur.
Growth Expectation: 20 per cent
Somewhere Jaipur is still missing on efficiency and automation front. We are going very aggressively and trying to cover each and every area that was untouched or ignored earlier… Things are under process and hopefully one will see a lot of changes in the coming time. The industry will see positive results of our efforts. One of our focus areas is a change of mindset and that too in a positive direction, be it the owners or staff of the factories. If we get success in this particular agenda completely, the day is not far when Jaipur will be similar like Tirupur or even better than Tirupur.
Growth Expectation: 20 per cent
Overall growth can be much more but Jaipur needs proper teams for that. Overall export of the city has reduced but manufacturing has grown and it is for the domestic market mainly. Our hub should have a proper balance between export and domestic. There is no gain if a proper compliance factory caters to the unorganised sector rather than a reputed international brand or chain of retailers.
Growth Expectation: 20 per cent
So far, most of the exporters of the city are catering to the organised segment of the domestic market. To tap the untapped local market, our association has been into a tie-up with the local wholesalers/brokers who have a number of clients with them. A dedicated trade show for the domestic market will also take place soon. Hopefully, it should give good business.
Growth Expectation: 15 to 20 per cent
Niranjan Panjwani, President, Leela Niryat
Talking about our hub, the kind of wage or salaries we are paying and getting output in lieu of that is so less. Compared to Delhi-NCR (the nearest apparel manufacturing hub), Jaipur is 30 per cent less than them in terms of efficiency. While South India too is quite ahead with better quality. If overall workforce improve thier efficiency, our cost will go down automatically.
Growth Expectation: 20 per cent
Despite all efforts and changing conditions, mid-level and top-level expert professionals are still not available in the city. Due to their scarcity, several other issues arise. The city’s exporters are still not focusing enough on upgradation. Due to all these things, we don’t have top-level global buyers and Jaipur’s export has not grown as per potential.
