Though working in a region where garment manufacturing is not an organized industry, Kolkata-based Sunny Sales, which is the authorized dealer of Kansai Special, MAQI and Brother sewing machines, has seen good growth in the last few years. With the coming up of two Industrial Parks shortly – one for Apparel and the other for Hosiery – the company is looking at major growth over the next two years. “While the industry may not be visible as there are thousands of small units with 30-40 machines catering to both the export and domestic market here, but as one of the prominent stock holders of sewing machines in the region we have gone from strength to strength,” says Sanjay Mehta, MD, Sunny Sales.
Along with the machines the company is also the stockist of spare parts and attachments and the authorized dealers for Orange & Organ needles, Koban & Hirose Rotating Hook Sets. Spare parts available are not only for the brands that Sunny Sales markets, but general wear and tear parts of all major brands are found at the company.
With a presence in the industry that is 60 years old, the company has a clear understanding of what the industry in the region is looking for. “90% of my sales are in medium range technology and only 10% of players ask for very hi-tech machines,” adds Sanjay. He is extremely appreciative of the skill level of workers in West Bengal and feels that the quality of work that an operator can extract from a medium level machine is almost at par with the quality of work that exporters in other states are getting from better technology machines.
Because the industry has not been able to consolidate, the domestic turnaround is higher from the region. A reflection of the demographics is found in the customer profile at Sunny Sales, and while 70% of clients are working in the domestic market only 30% are exporters. There are about 200-300 export units in Kolkata, but the domestic market for children’swear and hosiery is very strong, informs Sanjay. Also strong is the leather segment with a huge leather Park in Kolkata which has consolidated the leather industry at one place, giving it the needed impetus to modernize units.
Similar growth is expected from the Hosiery Park coming up in the West section and Apparel Park coming up in the East section of Kolkata that will house around 165 units altogether. Sunny Sales is also planning to open showrooms near both the upcoming Apparel and Hosiery Park. “I have heard that a few garment exporters from Delhi and Bangalore have also invested in the Apparel Park,” says Sanjay. The two industrial areas are expected to be fully functional in two years’ time.
Sanjay is very positive that besides bringing in added business to him, the consolidation of the Kolkata industry would also result in better quality and consistency of quality to the industry. “While 100 fabricators are making for the same exporters, all are using different brands of machines. So the quality when put together, differs from fabricator to fabricator. But when production will happen under one roof the machines will be the same, hence quality will also be consistent,” reasons Sanjay. This would also result in the growth of the industry with more reputed buyers/international retailers interested to work in the city.
Keeping abreast with changing requirements of the industry, Sanjay realized three years ago that selling machines alone would not give an edge, so seven technicians were employed and trained to give after-sales-service. “We guarantee a solution within three working days,” informs Sanjay. While the after-sales efforts are restricted to machines only, in attachments the company is open to helping manufacturers identify the right spare parts for a particular task, but does not offer service for fitting.
Servicing the entire eastern part of India, Sanjay feels that there is much latent potential for garment manufacturing in the region and with pockets of niches being created like workwear in exports, the Kolkata industry is now on the verge of making its presence felt. “Players in this region are now investing in technology and updating factories for compliance and technical excellence. So the next few years should see growth both for the industry and for Sunny Sales,” concludes Sanjay.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
