India : Raymond Among `Super 200s` Wool Suiting Manufacturers

Textile major Raymond Ltd, among top manufacturers of worsted suitings in the world, is now one of only three players globally with the expertise to manufacture suit lengths in the `Super 200s' wool category.

Though a competitor each, from the UK and France, also handle the fine 13.5 microns-wool, Raymond is believed to be the only integrated player in the segment. Priced at Rs 75,000 each, the 80 suit lengths produced so far will go to longstanding Raymond customers, Mr Gautam Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, Raymond, said at a press conference. They will be part of the company's `Chairman's Collection.'

According to Mr Nabankur Gupta, Group President, Raymond, premium suitings have only a small share in the company's textile revenues. But the significance of being in `Super 200s' is that it reflects accrued expertise and technological competence. Though the textile sector is quite automated these days, managing thin wool fibre involves craftsmanship with machines even being run at slower speeds to accommodate human intervention.

Last year global production of Super 200s wool plain fleece aggregated to just 1,636 kg, the wool coming from a special breed of the Australian Merino sheep, called Saxony Merino reared in Queensland. That too, from sheep not more than a year old.