Aspinwall to re-brand its products

Aspinwall to re-brand its products

 

KOCHI: Aspinwall & Co. Ltd., which traces its lineage to 1867, is on a re-branding mode and its logistics, coffee, coir, plantation and tourism divisions are slated to get an image makeover at a cost of over Rs.50 crore, company sources said here.

 

Mr. Rama Varma, later, unveiled a plaque to mark the new identity of the company.

India's 1st Organised Chain of Home Fashion Stores

India's 1st Organised Chain of Home Fashion Stores

 

SPACES Home & Beyond: 

 

Spaces, Home and beyond is the Retail Home Fashion brand of the $1.5 billion Welspun Group, that addresses the complete needs of the home decoration segment: holistic home solutions for bed, bath, kitchen, living, dining and accessories. The ranges incorporate International trends & contemporary styles in a simulated home setting, making it easier for customers to mix- and- match the products they wish to purchase. Located all over the country, the stores offer an experiential shopping experience for the consumer, with co-ordinated home décor products. The home; a high involvement category needed space & touch-points for the consumer to shop. This is precisely the lacuna that Spaces, Home & Beyond has filled in .The brand ensures that the design driven products defined by quality and value find a place in every home in the country.

 

About Welspun Retail Limited :

 

Established in January 2006, Welspun Retail Limited is the youngest and most vibrant member of the Welspun Group. Welspun Retail, a part of the $ 1.5 billion Welspun Group was one of the first retail ventures to offer a co-ordinated range of products for every home. Welspun Retail Limited is India's first and only organized Retail Company in the home segment, with brands catering to distinct segments: the elite shopper, to the value for money seekers; a benchmark in the home retail industry in the country. The company retails its products through two brands.

 

Spaces Home & Beyond, India's leading brand of premium home fashion, has unveiled a vibrant Summer Collection for 2008. A celebration of colour, the Colour X Change, Summer 2008 Collection captures brilliant hues that are manifest in all walks of life. Designed to enhance each cosy nook and corner of your home with a splash of colour, the Colour X Change, Summer 2008 Collection offers you fine conversations in a vibrant balance between global colour trends and Indian culture. 

 

Conceptually titled Colour X Change, the fashionable range of home linen and accessories showcases a vivid spectrum of colour drawn from four themes: colour in culture, art, fashion and Indian ethnicity. The Colour X Change Collection is available is four distinctive selections – Malaga, Paradiso, Dhoop and The Astoria Collection. 

 

A celebration of the distinctive palette of colonial Spanish architecture, the Malaga story comes alive with the true Mediterranean blue punctuated by pink highlights in cotton. This vibrant selection has a classical European style; elegant yet energetic. 

 

Speaking on the concept of the Colour X Change, Mrs. Dipali Goenka, Director, Welspun Retail Ltd said, 'Our Summer Collection is an ode to colour. Colour is a brilliant expression of the world around us and when used with imagination can convey myriad emotions and experiences. Our team of designers explored various facets to compile a multi-hued palette drawing from colours across history, fashion, various cultural contexts, astrology, therapy and of course art. The collection is also a showcase of international colour trends and was created in consultation with colour specialists, mavens on consumer culture and leading stylists in order to craft a range that truly enhances every space with its magic." 

 

 

Go Green With Coconut Doormats

Go Green With Coconut Doormats

 

Sunday, March 23, 2008 2:38:49 PM

http://www.cfnews13.com/FamilyAndHome/YourHome/2008/3/23/go_green_with_coconut_doormats.html

Allison Walker, Your Home

 

The folks at The Personalized Doormats Company said if you do not use a doormat every time you go into your home, 50 percent more dirt would accumulate. That is why they said a doormat is a natural way to keep your home clean.

 

"That's the first line of defense," said Jill Mecca, who helps run the Lake Mary-based company.

 

Mecca was at a home and garden show in Orlando with a display that can help you go green. She said choosing a mat made out of coconut -- or the fibers from coconut husks, called coir -- are 100 percent natural.

 

"They're really rugged and durable, and they have that great scraping action to run dirt off your feet," Mecca said.

 

Another benefit of a coir mat is something not all synthetic doormats can do.

 

"They're naturally mold and mildew-resistant, as coconuts are, because they sit on the beach," Mecca said.

 

The catch is that you do not want to plop this mat down anywhere. Coir doormats do not do well in an uncovered entryway.

 

Some flooring experts said direct exposure to rain can cause the mat to curl and lose its weave.

 

Also, you might have a hard time finding them in stores. According to an online encyclopedia, India and Sri Lanka produce 90 percent of the coir produced every year, and half of it stays in those countries.

Small industries hold key to industrial progress: Ahluwalia

Small industries hold key to industrial progress: Ahluwalia 

Saturday, 22 March , 2008, 11:14 

  

Mumbai: Deputy chairman of the Planning Commission of India Montek Singh Ahluwalia has said small and medium enterprises (SME) hold the key to the country's industrial progress.

 

"They are likely to play a pivotal role in immediate future, as they can carve out unit growth model for the country," Ahluwalia said Friday at the Indian Merchants Chamber (IMC) Ramkrishna Bajaj Award 2007.

 

In the key note address, the Planning Commission deputy chairman emphasizing the role of SME, said, "In the drastically changing economic scenario, SMEs are the future. It is erroneous to see the financial volume as a benchmark for assessing success of any company or enterprise."

 

Praising the IMC for recognising the mettle of SME, he said: " It is strange that an award for SME was instituted three years ago. And it is only now for the first time that there is a recipient. The very acknowledgement of this sector shows that the there is a dawning of realisation of the structural changes that have taken place."

 

He said that it was time to change one's corporate perspective, emphasising, "not to get swayed by financial highs".

 

"SMEs have emerged as a vibrant tier of the economy as it has already taken over as the key contributor to the GDP of the country. Precisely for this reason, we are looking into the existing policies and the necessary changes required in so as to make the SME role more proactive in order to achieve greater economic goals," he said.

Foam Mattings in expansion mode

Foam Mattings India Ltd., a State government undertaking which performed well during 2007-08, is on a consolidation and expansion mode.

Company chairman K.R. Bhageerathan and managing director S. Retnakumaran said here on Monday that the company proposed to appoint more dealers in India and abroad.

They pointed out that the demand for the eco-friendly gift sets launched recently by the company was on the rise. These sets contained items made of coir and jute and were priced between Rs.175 and Rs.300, they said.

The company also proposed to expand the local market for its quality doormats, carpets and rugs which were very much in demand in foreign countries.

It had prepared an action plan, Vision 2012. Diversification would be given due importance.

Steps were being taken to open a factory for making value-added coir composite board, the executives informed.

The company had bagged an order worth Rs.30 lakh for making latex-backed coir bags for use in ports. The production was progressing, they said.

The company is also planning to open showrooms in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode.

Prime Minister approves Rs 243 crore Coir Project for XI Plan

18 March 2008

Prime Minister approves Rs 243 crore Coir Project for XI Plan

 

The Cabinet Committee On Economic Affairs of Govt of India which met under the Chairmanship of Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India on 7-3-2008 has approved the Rs 243 Crore Coir Project for implementation in the XI Plan. This is the highest ever Central Scheme sanctioned by GoI for Coir Sector for implementation by Coir Board.

The Finance Minister on the recommendation of the Planning Commission accepted the Scheme and ear-marked Rs 25 Crore as government grant for implementing the scheme during the accounting year 2007-8.

The Rs 243 Crore scheme comprise two vital sectors which are at the lower most end of the Coir manufacturing pyramid- the spinning and the tiny, household segments. 4000 units of the spinning segment and 3200 units of the tiny and household segment will be covered under the Scheme.

The expected employment generation is 60,800 workers, of which 36800 will be new employment and 24000 will be existing employment.

 

 

Organic coir filled natural mattresses are hot with babies in the UK ?

7 March 2008

Organic coir filled natural mattresses are hot with babies in the UK ?

Issued by: SABC Education team

 

The SABC Education team, embarked on their annual visit to the UK and Europe to gauge what the latest gadgets, gizmos and fashions were in the parenting and baby market.

 

Just recently returned from their visit to Exel London, there was a marked growth in the organic category relating to diapers, clothing, bedding and baby food. Clearly parents are taking heed of the organic way of life, which is enveloping as a lifestyle as opposed to a fashion trend.

 

We found many fantastic products, but among some of our great discoveries was the natural mattress. This handmade natural mattress, filled with organic coir (coconut husks) provides a supportive and breathable mattress perfect for newborns. The coir is wrapped in soft lambs wool treated with lavender, lemon and eucalyptus extracts to render it anti-dust mite. Wool is an excellent thermal insulator ensuring the mattress is cosy in winter and cool in summer. Alongside the mattress, a range of organic cot blankets, flannel fitted sheets, free from any bleaches or dyes but fully machine washable and tumble-dryer safe, were great finds.

Natural Organic Coir Mattress - Rest Assured

6 March 2008  

Natural Organic Coir Mattress - Rest Assured

 

With some studies linking SIDS to the evil chemicals found in many commercial mattresses, concerned parents are increasingly turning to more natural alternatives. One such option is the unique line from Natural Mat.Hand crafted,  each mat is made from 100% natural materials including a variety of breathable cores like: organic coir, made from coconut husks coated in natural latex; luxurious mohair; or latex. Each of these supportive centers is then surrounded with cozy lambs wool, which has been bathed in organic plant extracts to make it naturally non-allergenic and anti dust-mite. Finally all are covered in soft, organic cotton. Naturally fire retardant, Natural Mats contain NO chemicals, plastics or PVCs. They also make oval and travel sized mattresses or even take custom orders! Seems like Natural Mat aims to make the whole family breath easier.

Coir - a potential wood alternative

 

Coir – a potential wood alternative

By: Desislava Tzoneva , South Africa

Published: 7 Mar 08 - 0:00

 

Coir-promoting association, the Coir Institute, which has expressed interest in introducing and manufacturing coir products in South Africa, is undertaking a number of tests to determine the feasibility of coir as an alternative to wood, Coir Institute MD David Hoff tells Engineering News.

 

Although research and development of coir, used as a wood product, is still in the roll-out phase, a number of tests have already been conducted that will assess coir's applications in a number of industries in South Africa.

 

To this end, two shipments of coir have been imported to South Africa and a third is expected to arrive shortly. Both of the first shipments, containing cocopeat and geotextiles, have been given to agricultural suppliers and landscapers to test in South African soil as a means to either absorb or retain water.

 

Coir ply products will also be tested by mines in the industry as an alternative to timber, which is used for underground support structures.

 

Two tests have been completed and ongoing tests have yielded "very successful" results, says Hoff.

 

Coirply, which is derived from coconuts, is a made by combining coir fibre and phenolic resin. Although it is often mistaken for plywood and chipboard, it has a higher strength capacity than regular wood, owing to the high levels of lignon in coir fibre.

 

Coir offers an environment-friendly alternative to wood and timber and has a significantly smaller carbon footprint than many of the current processes used in timber manufacture. No trees are cut down to retrieve husk and fibre because only the coconut fruit is used in the pro- cess. Trees reach maturity in two years, and one coconut takes up to 45 days to ripen.

 

It is anticipated that coirply, which is fire retardant, pest and insect resistant, can be used in informal settlements for constructing low-cost housing.

 

Such houses made of coir have been established for residents affected by the 2001 earthquake in Gujarat, India.

 

In these houses, coirply was used for every application, except the house frame, windows and foundations. Apart from building, painting, no further maintenance for the houses is required, says Hoff.

 

The Coir Institute is investigating the feasibility of a coconut plantation in the Eastern Cape to produce coconuts for coir.

 

It is expected that this will boost employment in the area as no technical skills are required to handle the coir process.

 

A Mpumalanga-situated coirply manufacturing plant is also being considered, and the feasibility of importing coconuts from Mozambique is being investigated.

 

A number of tests and studies are expected to be undertaken to determine the feasibility of this project.

Coir is a readily available raw material. India, which supplies 60% of the world's demand for coconuts, is one of 93 coconut supplying countries. India uses only 30% of its current coconut production capacity. "There's no worry that we will run out of raw material," comments Hoff.

 

The coir industry in Africa, however, is in its infancy, despite countries such as Nigeria, Mozambique and Somali growing coconuts. Mozambique, for instance, uses a small portion of its produce for coconut oil, but does not manufacture coir or coir-related products.

 

Coconut fibre is derived from a retting machine, which removes fibre from the nut, leaving a felt-like material behind. Husk or fibre is then matted together, after which resin is added to the mixture, which is compressed and heated into board and other products. The new mechanised process has helped speed up the time it takes to process husk, from a few months to a number of hours.

 

The mechanised manufacturing process also allows products to be moulded to specification before a final product is made, rather than waiting for a piece of board, which has to be shaped and cut to a required size.

 

Coir was traditionally removed from handpicked coconuts which were dehusked. The husk is then soaked in water and removed from the coconut by breaking and then drying it.

 

Coirply will not warp in rain or react to high temperatures, has acoustic properties and is used in rooms to either retain or reflect sound. The coir fibre can also be used in soundproofing.

 

Coirply is used in the manufacture of boats, housing and furniture, front doors, desks, boards, moulded doors and roofing, trays, bowls, cupboards, chairs and tables.

 

Besides other applications, coir is used in geotextiles for the rehabilitation of land, revegetation and stabilising land areas. As cocopeat, it is used as a soil enhancement product.

 

Edited by: Laura Tyrer

Revenue from coir exports take a hit as rupee strengthens

Revenue from coir exports take a hit as rupee strengthens

February 26, 2008 at 0138 hrs IST

  

Kochi, Feb 25 Export revenue from coir is likely to fall short of last year's achievement with the strengthening of the rupee affecting realisation. Coir exports from the country during April-January 2007-08 have increased by 14% in volume terms, while decreasing marginally in value terms. India exported 1,49,232 tonne of coir and coir products valued at Rs 486.86 crore during the first 10 months of the current financial year as against 1,31,109 tonne valued at Rs 490.17 crore in same period of last financial year . In 2006-07, the nation exported 1.69 lakh tonne of coir products valued at Rs 605.17 crore, an increase of 19% compared to Rs 508.44 crore of 2005-06.

 

Coir rugs, mattings and carpets have seen volume and value drop during the period, while coir fibre and rope have increased their presence in both volume and value. Coir fibre has seen volume go up by more than 150% compared to last year. However, incremental exports of coir rope have fetched lesser value as volume increase of 131% has fetched only 9% increase in value.

 

The industry has appealed to the commerce ministry that the coir sector be included in the higher entitlement of DEPB and for a reduction in pre-shipment and post-shipment credit to 6% from the present range of 9% to 11%.

Cancer awareness door mats

Cancer awareness door mats

2 march 2008

 

A fund-raising night for Jazzmouth, the Seacoast Poetry and Jazz Festival, will be held from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4 at Flatbread Pizza, 138 Congress St., Portsmouth. There will be a collection of three limited edition Cancer Awareness door mats (Courtesy of Carpet One); and a gift basket from Lollipop Tree.

Budget : Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

Budget: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

29 Feb. 2008

 

A risk capital fund being created in the Small Industries and Development Bank of

India (SIDBI); Credit Guarantee Trust with SIDBI had extended guarantees to

89,129 units for an amount of Rs.2,479 crore as on January 31, 2008; SIDBI to

reduce the guarantee fee from 1.5 per cent to 1 per cent and the annual service fee

from 0.75 per cent to 0.5 per cent for loans up to Rs.5 lakhs.

 

Support to MSME's

 

(i) Two funds of Rs.2,000 crore each to be created in SIDBI - one for risk capital

financing and other for enhancing refinance capability to the MSME sector.

 

(ii) Fund of Rs.5,000 crore to be created in NABARD to enhance its refinance

operations to short term cooperative credit institutions;

 

(iii) Fund of Rs.1,200 crore to be created in NHB to enhance its refinance operations

in the rural housing sector.

 

Coir Board

Coir Board included in Section 10(29A) and exempted from income tax.

Pre-budget suggestions on coir to FM by BMS

Pre-budget suggestions on coir to FM by BMS

26 Feb. 2008

 

Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has demanded encouragement of small-scale industries in the country. In its pre-budget suggestions sent to the Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, BMS president Girish Awasthi demanded to infuse necessary funds and make provisions for rapid development of labour intensive cottage, small-scale and medium industries, extend liberal tax concessions, subsidies, incentives, concessional credit facilities, marketing assistance and restoration of all the items de-reserved earlier in the reserved list. He also demanded immediate measures to tackle the problems of sickness and crisis in traditional industries such as coir, jute, textile, plantations, handloom, beedi, khadi & village industries, etc. He said the MSME Act, 2005 should be revived for promotion of small-scale industries in terms of marketing support.

Linking Rural India to Global market

Linking Rural India to Global market

The Economic Times

9 Feb, 2008, 1729 hrs IST, PTI

 

KOCHI: Exim Bank is working towards the possibility of exporting traditional Indian know-how and technology to other developing countries, a top bank official on Saturday said.

 

There is a strong linkage between export development and poverty reduction. For a country like India, with a large rural population, creation of export capability in rural grassroot enterprise is a must, he said.

 

Globalisation has thrown up opportunities and challenges. Rural enterprises should take advantage of various opportunities of globalisation. Products will have to be made as per international standards, he said.

 

Coir products manufacturers from Kerala should ensure Fair Trade certification of their products to get higher returns he said, addressing a workshop on 'Linking Rural India to Global market-value addition through Fair Trade Certification'.

 

There are no national certification bodies for Fairtrade in India. All Fairtrade products are certified by International bodies like TransFair USA, Fairtrade Foundation UK which are members of Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO).

 

Christy Fernandez, Secretary to Indian President, Pratibha Patil, said innovation, identifying areas of core competency and generating demand for a product are essential in a competitive environment. It is essential that the growth being targeted is inclusive, he said.