Being a market leader is one aspect, but actually living up to the reputation is what makes it count.
At a time when most companies are taking a conservative approach to the business and looking to save, Delhi-based Mercury Fabric has invested in technology to process blended and heavier fabric, in anticipation of orders that could shift from China in the near future.
More on the same, Babbu Sachdeva, MD, Mercury Fabrics, says “The market is bad for everyone, but I have chosen to prepare for the opportunities rather than waiting and watching.”
An optimist, who leads by example, Sachdeva has over the years taken the company from a modest beginning in 2013 to being one of the largest and most modern knitted fabric manufacturers in India, delivering unmatched quality to global fashion brands and garment exporters.
Today, the 27000 square metres of built up area at the Bawal factory, besides knitting, has latest technologies for dyeing, printing and processing of knitted fabric. “There is no second chance and when opportunities will come knocking at India’s door, we have to be geared up for not only our regular products, but also those products which we might not be doing today, but will move to countries that can deliver,” reasons Sachdeva.
Feelers coming from the US strongly indicate that post the presidential elections, the so-called ‘China’ effect will be felt along the supply chain with business moving out from the country and Sachdeva believes that the time is now to prepare for the same.
“I have invested in processing technologies for fabrics that could be in great demand both in Indian and other manufacturing countries,” he says, adding that already order enquiries have started coming in from Sri Lanka and other manufacturing destinations for winter-based knits that were earlier sourced from China. Moving ahead these orders are expected to increase.
Talking about his optimism, Sachdeva feels that 95 per cent of companies in India have taken a conservative approach and this will harm business opportunities in the future.
He shares that his was one of the first companies to re-start the factory when the lockdown was lifted and this has paid off, so while others are still struggling, he is better placed, if not out of the woods. “Though it will take another 6-8 months to be near normal, I am confident that things will pick up from November onwards and I don’t want to sit back and say…I missed the bus!”
