Chandigarh : Ostermann, a leading brand in men's premium trousers market, has announced expansion plans for the Chandigarh and Punjab markets. Mr Ashok Singhal, managing director, Vasu Apparels Pvt Ltd, which is the company behind Ostermann, said that the company is planning to enter these markets to enhance its marketshare in the men's premier trousers segment. At present, the company has 25 dealers collectively for these two markets, which is slated to go up to 50 by the end of 2002.He said,``There is huge untapped potential in the men's premium trousers segment. Most of the established brands are concentrating mainly on khakis and other regular segments. We are focussing on the relatively untapped segment.''
Elaborating on the importance of the Punjab and Chandigarh markets, he said,``30 per cent of our company's turnover is constituted collectively by these markets. In the last fiscal, out of the total turnover of over Rs 5 crore, Rs 1.5 crore was achieved from these two markets.''
In the current fiscal, Vasu Apparels' total turnover will be around Rs 7 crore, which is likely to go up to Rs 12 crore by the end of March 2002.To strike a balance between its aggressive marketing plans and the supply aspect, Vasu Apparels has hiked its production from 3,000 to 6,000 trousers per month. The summer collection of Ostermann, which is priced between Rs 900 and Rs 1,600, consists of Tussore chinos, light weight chinos and III ply cotton. Mr Singhal said the fabric for trousers is being imported from Spain, Japan and Korea.
The company plans to expand operations in Mumbai, Gujarat, Bangalore and eastern parts of the country. For this it has set a target of 200 dealers across the country in the next two years .
Copyright © 2001 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
