Marutham Co-optex showroom opened
Minister for Handlooms and Textiles N.K.K.P. Raja (third right) taking a look at silk saris at the renovated Marutham Co-optex showroom in the city on Wednesday.The Marutham Co-optex showroom here opened to a modern renovated look with more innovative fabrics for the discerning public. The eye-catcher was the Co-optex Design Library situated in the first floor of the sprawling 7,000 sq. ft. air-conditioned showroom. As part of the modernisation project of five showrooms, Marutham is the fifth to be inaugurated in this series after two in Chennai, one in Madurai and one in Vellore. Inaugurating the showroom, Minister for Handlooms and Textiles N.K.K.P. Raja said: “The saying that Co-optex sells expensive fabrics is a myth. We sell quality material. Through this modernisation and tech-savvy changes we have moved still ahead. We will produce what sells.”The showroom houses traditional silk varieties alongside modern ones embellished with stones and embroidery work.There are formal wear and house wear for men and women, linen, curtain material and to top it all there are women from self-help groups to do tailoring work.
Marutham has been given a facelift at the cost of Rs. 35 lakh out of which Rs. 5 lakh was devoted to the Design Library.The library is a unique feature brought in by Co-optex. Even though such a library existed as a separate centre independent of the showroom, this is the first time it is brought within the purview of a showroom. Weavers and public can view designs on the computer and make their selection.M.P. Nirmala, Special Officer and Managing Director of Co-optex, said the design library could be accessed by public to order saris for occasions. If the design was an existing one that required only a change in colour and minor modifications, the order would be delivered in 45 days. If the design was a new one or drawn by the customer then it would be executed and delivered in 90 days.
The Marutham showroom would concentrate on cotton, Kora cotton and pure silk saris that were woven at Negamam, Sirumugai, Tirupur and Coimbatore.The most recent designs in cotton had been “Malligai” in April, “Mullai” in May, Rose in June and “Mahizhamboo” in July.The designs were included in the library after extensive research and market survey. Bulk orders for uniforms and other occasions would also be entertained.The showroom had effected sales to the tune of Rs. 2.45 crore in 2006-07. Against the target of Rs. 3 crore for the current year, the sale for Rs. 57 lakh had been effected till August 2007.
