"While we are setting up technical textiles plants across the country, we intend to develop our own expertise in the segment. We are also investing in strengthening on research in technical textiles that can be helpful for us as well as the industry at large. In this regard, we are setting up a centre of excellence (CoE) in Gujarat that will work in the segment," said a senior official at NTC.
Confirming the same, a senior state government official in Gujarat said, "NTC had approached us for partnering in setting up a CoE in technical textile. We have given an in-principle approval for now."
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Both NTC and the Gujarat government will each invest around Rs 20 crore for the project. The CoE will conduct research on its own in varied aspects of technical textiles including geo-tech, medi-tech and mobi-tech, among others. Moreover, the CoE will also assist other textile companies in implementation of technical textile projects across the country.
Talking further about the project, the NTC official said, "While Gujarat government has given us an in-principle approval, we are waiting for certain documentation to be cleared before we can being work on the same."
NTC has also been planning to set up greenfield technical textiles plants in partnership with private players. Backed by the Ministry of Textiles, NTC is planning to set up in all 12 technical textiles plants across the country on a public private partnership (PPP) mode.
Further, NTC is also planning to strengthen its retail presence in the country by launching its own brand of men's wear clothing in the country. "We are planning to launch an all men's wear textile brand called 'Indian Republic' by October this year. The brand will have its own exclusive stores that will be completely franchised," the NTC official informed.
While in all 300 franchised stores are being planned, the current financial year will see opening up of 100 stores across the country by March 2014 by NTC. To be spread across an average space of 600-1200 sq ft, each 'Indian Republic' store will figure an investment of Rs 10-15 lakh. The PSE also recently signed an MoU with the National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC) for retailing of handloom products across the country.
Meanwhile, the company has tied up with three international firms from Japan, USA and Germany for its upcoming greenfield technical textiles plant. "NTC's first two technical textile manufacturing plants will come up in Udaipur (Rajasthan) and Elluru (Andhra Pradesh). The international firms will help in technology sharing and marketing of the products," the NTC official added.