Welspun plans foray into decorative bedding

Welspun is set to enter the $15 billion international market for decorative bedding this year. As part of the initiative, the home textile major will also market its products under the bed-in-bag concept.

"In developed markets this concept is prevalent offering the entire bedding need in a bag. From flat sheets, to comforters, shams and pillow covers, everything is provided as a coordinated effort," said Akhil Jindal, president, Welspun.

The company's move to enter the high-value bedding segment will coincide with the commissioning of its decorative bedding manufacturing plant at Anjar.

The plant, which will start operations by year end, will have an annual capacity of 1.4 million sets. Jindal didn't rule out the possibility of launching the bed-in-bag concept in the domestic market too. It will be the first organised player to enter this market segment, which otherwise is fragmented.

Welspun, which is one of the top manufacturers of towels globally, currently has a capacity to produce 35 million metre of bed linen annually.

Another 10 million metre capacity is expected to be added by the second quarter of FY07. This is part of the company's Rs 650 crore expansion programme.

The company recently introduced its towels and bed linen products in the North American markets under the aegis of the US-based Umbro brand. Another US brand Nautica, already sells Welspun's bed linens.