Date:08/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/08/stories/2007060819230500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Co-optex at it again, now with `Magic Design' saris

Special Correspondent

Arcot Veerasamy launches the new product, inaugurates a modernised showroom

DESIGNED TO ATTRACT: Co-optex Managing Director M. P. Nirmala explains the features of a new-design sari variety. Electricity Minister Arcot N. Veerasamy at the Karpagam showroom in Purasawalkam on Thursday. Handlooms and Textiles Minister N. K. K. P . Raja is also in the picture. — Photo: V. Ganesan

CHENNAI : In keeping with its tradition, Co-optex has once again cast a spell on customers by coming out with "Magic Design" saris as part of the ongoing "Vaikasi Vasantham Handloom Exhibition Fair".

On Thursday, Minister for Electricity Arcot Veerasamy released the "Magic Design" sari, other range of designer saris, and stripped shirts while inaugurating the modernised Co-optex Karpagam showroom at Purasawalkam. The inauguration of this showroom is in line with Minister for Handlooms and Textiles N. K. K. P. Raja's promise that Co-optex showrooms will be modernised to keep pace with competition.

Around six months ago, Co-optex created a ripple in the silk saris market by launching `Mayil Thogai' (peacock feather) range that was much sought after by foreigners. The specially woven sari was made available only against orders. It has over 1.5 lakh colours and is likely to be replaced by the `Magic Design'.

The `Magic Design' saris will come in three colours and sport rows of icon. From one angle, each icon would look like a peacock and from other end the same icon would like an elephant. The saris are to be made available only against orders, as it takes around 20 days to weave a sari with the help of two weavers. The saris are priced at Rs.35,000 each.

"That's why we call it `Magic' sari. This kind of attempt has not been made before in saris. We have to thank the weavers for their concept and special efforts. We will try to popularise this sari by putting it on the Internet. Buyers can get more information from our website www.cooptex.com," said Co-optex Special Officer and Managing Director M. P. Nirmala.

Revenue target

Commissioner of Handlooms and Textiles M. R. Mohan said that last year Co-optex earned Rs. 107 crore with a net profit of Rs.2.40 crore and this year, it aims at Rs. 125 crore. The sale at the Co-optex Karpagam showroom last year was Rs.64 lakh and it might touch Rs. 2 crore this year. The new products contributed to 10 to 20 per cent of revenue. Silk saris accounted for Rs. 40 crore and the rest came from cotton products.

New range of cotton saris from Jayamkondam, Uraiyur, Sirumugaiyur, Negamam, Paramakudi and Vanavasi, Kora Silk saris, and Madurai cotton saris would be sold during the Vaikasi Vasantham Handloom Exhibition Fair.