Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
Two Indian IT techies are venturing into technical textiles field. In what seems to be a surprising reversal of trend, engineers are switching from information technology to the manufacturing sector. India over the past two decades has gained reputation as an IT giant with its skilled IT engineers spread across the globe. Chennai, in South India is known for its automotive and IT sectors and is the home base for Wellgro Tech, which is aiming at marketing domestically manufactured high-end nonwoven and technical textiles to domestic and export markets.
Wellgro Tech’s co-director R. Prabakaran, in speaking to this scribe recently stated that although IT sector has employment opportunities; the business as such has become very competitive. In echoing this sentiment, R. Venkatakrishnan, the other co-director stated that that is the reason, they have ventured into technical textiles, in particular to market hygiene products. There is need for good quality and cost effective adult incontinence products in India, according to their field research.
Within a short span of time, Wellgro Tech has acquired clients, who want domestically made quality hygiene products. According to the founders, initial effort will be to procure domestic products that meet stringent quality standards for their customers. Wellgro Tech’s goal is to manufacture and supply domestically made high quality technical textiles products that cater to hygiene, automotive and chemical sectors. It is interesting to note that both founders have 20 years of experience in the IT field, before they switched to technical textiles field.
