Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Saturday, Oct 26, 2002
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Saturday, Oct 26, 2002 |
|
|
|
|
|
Agri-Biz & Commodities
-
Cotton `Seal of Cotton' comes calling at Indian shores Our Bureau
NEW DELHI, Oct. 25 AFTER the Woolmark brandname to sensitise quality wool consumption in the country, now it is the turn of cotton to capture brand image among discerning consumers with the adoption of `Seal of Cotton' trademark by leading domestic textile companies. The US-based Cotton Council International (CCI) and Cotton Incorporated entered into an alliance with three Indian companies viz., Patspin India (GTN Group), Vardhman Spinning and General Mills Ltd and Ashima Group Ltd on Friday as being the first signatories to bring the `Seal of Cotton' trademark for the first time to Indian consumers. This trademark would identify the highest quality 100 per cent cotton apparel and home furnishings production. Announcing the alliances at a news conference here, the CCI President, Mr William B. Dunavant, said, ``our close working relationships with the Indian textile industry over the last several years have paved the way for the launch of the Cotton Gold Alliance (CGA) programme, which would be a new paradigm in cotton promotion in the country''. He said in the coming months, the CGA programme would build on this momentum as more textile and apparel companies, brands and retailers join in this bid to promote cotton fibre in India. Mr Dean B. Turner, Senior Vice-President, Global Product Marketing, Cotton Incorporated, informed that it was for the first time that the seal of cotton is being made available for promotions outside North America. He said the CGA aimed to augment consumer awareness, appreciation and preference to build demand for cotton, thereby boosting the sales. Mr Arvind Singhal, Chairman, KSA Technopak said the CGA programme had received a positive response from the trade in India and it would expand this partnership to include other companies who display a dedicated commitment to producing and marketing cotton as the preferred fibre in the local market. Though CGA members would be encouraged to utilise the Seal of Cotton (owned and to be licensed by Cotton Incorporated) in their own promotional and advertising efforts, there is no initial licensing fee charged by the US firm for the present as the move is to inculcate a strong brand image for cotton in India. In response to queries, they said the US remained the major producer and exporter of cotton as it exported 11 million tonnes of cotton last year and this alliance would help in building a brand image for Indian cotton in the global market over the long haul.
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
|
Stories in this Section |
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | Business Line | The Sportstar | Frontline | Home |
Copyright © 2002, The
Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu Business Line
|