Monte Carlo now has designs in store for kids

NEW DELHI: Monte Carlo, the top-end brand of Oswal Woollen Mills (OWM), will soon be available for kids. Australia-based woollen experts are consulting OWM for designing and producing kids’ apparels having unique properties such as ability to withstand dirt and roughness. A whole range of Monte Carlo products for kids are expected to enter the market in November ’07, according to CEO of Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), Len Stephens.

AWI, an R&D and marketing body, is in talks with firms like Raymond, Malwa Industries, Jayshree mills and brands such as Wills Lifestyle, Reid & Taylor and Color Plus to provide them with technology to design and manufacture woollen outfits. Interestingly, Indian firms will not have to pay anything in return for the technology.

A non-profit organisation representing Australian wool growers, AWI, is trying to promote the export of Merino wool — derived from merino breed of sheep — used in apparels.

It’s working with Malwa industries to manufacture such products using a mix of indigo and merino wool, merino and silk, and merino and cotton. It is also working on a project with Raymond to manufacture smart fabrics, which will be using merino wool.

AWI will itself be funding the technology transfer. In return, it will be negotiating firm supply contracts of wool with Indian companies. India, predicted to be a leading player in the international textile market, is already the third-largest buyer of Merino wool, said Mr Stephens.

“We are about to bag 15 projects from Indian companies. Each project costing between Rs 15-30 lakh, will be funded by us and in return, we will be able to market Merino wool to India,” he said.

Australia accounts for over 90% of the world’s wool production and exports over 95% of this greasy wool to various countries. China, Italy and India are the major buyers of wool from Australia, which they use in production of finished products. Australia exports about 65% of its wool to China.