The Mumbai-based menswear firm Zodiac Clothing Company Ltd, to strengthen its global presence, will foray into Canada and Switzerland.
The company, which started its operation in North America a few months back, sells its products across the Mediterranean and Middle East through the Splash chain of retail stores.
"Internationally Zodiac shirts retail at par with all top brands such as Armani and Boss among others in the premium segment. Zodiac retails successfully at The Bijenkorf in Holland. The new collection of Zodiac branded shirts in Holland at The Bijenkorf had an over 80 per cent sell-out in the first week of retail in October last year," said Salman Noorani, managing director, Zodiac Clothing Company.
The company has manufacturing units in Karnataka and Gujarat. The capacity of its facilities in India on an annual basis is 50 lakh shirts, 500,000 neck ties, 10 lakh socks, accessories and trousers among others.
Zodiac has recently increased its shirt manufacturing capacity by 10 lakh to 50 lakh per annum.
The company has bought the plant and machinery of Niriyat Sam in Noida, one of the biggest suit making facilities in the country. The company has also relocated the unit to Bangalore.
Zodiac is expected to have a capacity of 400 jackets and 1,100 trousers per day in the premium segment.
Noorani said, "As part of our future plans we are expanding from 80 to 300 exclusive stores and also increasing our presence through the multi-brand outlets and large format stores. As part of our 50th anniversary plans, we are realigning our group companies into a consolidated 'design-to-retail' chain."
Zodiac Clothing has its offices in New York, London and Dusseldorf. A significant portion of its revenue comes from its international business.
In the 90's Zodiac took its readymade shirts with the "Made In India" label to premium European retailers.
"On the efficiency front, we have made progress by doubling the capacity at one of our plants rather than setting up a new plant. We have also equipped ourselves with the latest ILS web-based software. This allows the Zodiac headquarters to be linked to the factories and our design studios and sales offices in three of the five fashion capitals of the world -- London, Dusseldorf and New York. The central distribution centre in Bangalore, Zodiac's 80 exclusive outlets and 1,000 multi-brand outlets will also be linked via this system," said Noorani.
"In Mumbai the company has a 5,000 square foot design studio headed by a trained designer and a 15-member team. This coupled with our manufacturing capability and distribution strength in India and abroad have seen us scale these heights. Our strengths are our unflinching commitment to quality and international design," Noorani added.
Zodiac, a listed company, had posted a turnover of Rs 175 crore in the last financial year. The company was incorporated in 1954.
