As for the rationale behind this move, Mr Garg explains: "We want to speed up and improve our distribution channels across the country. This initiative will certainly give us more flexibility. With the launch of `Extranet' our stockists can directly place orders on the Net."

In an effort to gain a leading edge over its international rivals, Raymond Textiles is planning to relaunch its Website-raymondindia.com-in June this year. According to Mr Garg, the revamped site will offer more information on its product range. "Also, the products will be visible on the screen with technical specifications. This initiative will give us a cutting edge technology in the global textiles scenario. We will also update information on our product range constantly," adds Mr Garg.

At present, the company is studying the designing parameters to revamp its site. "We are in talks with two companies for execution details now. In line with our global competitors' strategy, we plan to relaunch our Website. It will also build our corporate image in India as well as in foreign countries," adds Mr Garg.

According to Mr Garg, Raymond Apparel Ltd, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Raymond Ltd has just completed its supply chain management package based on the Oracle platform. "This is implemented by leading IT company Mastek. This package will certainly smoothen both ends of our supply chain. We will also get information on how the supply chain performs after the implementation, " explains Mr Garg.

The Raymond group is planning a foray into the Rs 2,000-crore womenswear market in India within a year. According to analysts this segment is expected to grow from Rs 2,000 crore to Rs 5,000 crore within two years." Initially, we plan to launch western wear and then go for the ethnic range.

Our range will be targeted at the middle and upper-middle classes in India", informs Mr Garg.

Website for JK Files & Tools launched
As part of its Internet strategy, Raymond Ltd launched a Website for its JK Files & Tools division on March 26 this year. With this, the company plans to kick off e-commerce activities with its domestic as well as international customers.

JK Files & Tools has an annual capacity of 50 million pieces of files and drills with three plants located at Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

Says Mr Rajiv Garg, president-corporate, Raymond Ltd: "This site lists all corporate, business and technical information on our products. With a 75 per cent marketshare in India and about 26 per cent in the world, we are a leading producer of steel files across the globe."

JK Ansell, a 50-50 joint venture between Raymond and Pacific Dunlop (the holding company for Ansell), has launched a portal with the domain name -ksonline.com-to promote its Kamasutra brand. "At present, we have launched a Beta version. Within a month ksonline.com will go live. It also has a commercial end so you can place orders on the Net. In addition, it will have chat shows and agony aunt sections," elaborates Mr Garg.