‘Will start getting a good volume of biz from beginning of next year’

AMIT MEHRA, proprietor of Parag International Export Division, is a registered manufacturer and exporter of blankets since 1985. Coming from a family which has been traditionally into the textile business since generations, he started the blanket and wool fabric export business in 1985 and now owns a reputed company, which is known for making quality blankets and fabrics. In an interview with Neeraj Bagga, Amit said he understands the art of weaving very well. Excerpts:

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How has the lockdown impacted your business?

We were badly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic as we are running a 100 per cent export house. All our clients are based in the US, France, Germany, Scotland, Canada, Brazil, Russia and other European Union countries. We lost a few potential customers and orders of some of them were badly affected. Some of our shipments were on the way and we still don’t have any idea whether we get payments for that or not. We have many orders which are yet to be shipped but customers have put these on hold as the market situation continues to remain very bad in the US and Europe. So, a huge stock of blankets is piled up in godowns and factories.

Do you expect any of your businesses to start running in the near future?

Of course, I am very positive and feel that this pandemic would help provide a huge market for Indians as China has been throughout the world. I am sure we would get a good volume of business in the beginning of the next year. New enquiries from various countries, which were previously buying Chinese products, have started pouring in. So, my future outlook is positive.

Did you pay salaries to your workers during the lockdown period?

We are a tech-savvy company and paid salaries on time to all the employees. We even helped our employees by providing groceries, food items, medicines, face masks, sanitisers to them during the lockdown. Each and every employee is enjoying health insurance policy for Covid-19 in addition to ESI benefits. We even paid advance to those employees who were in need. We can grow if our employees are happy and satisfied.

What is the share of online trading in your profession?

We are into bulk exports, so sometimes customers reach us through our website and in the near future, we are planning to start an online trading platform. In the wake of the pandemic, innovation is the mantra for achieving sustained customers, employee engagement and growth.

What are the lessons you have learnt from the lockdown?

We should make new strategies and start new products. The government should develop infrastructure so that parties’ orders could be reached to them on time. Understanding customers’ mood and taste, we should focus on product innovation. We should keep innovating and communicating with our customers. Cash flow is very important so we should have alternate roadmap to meet this cash flow and capital shortage.

Do you consider the current crisis as a challenge or an opportunity?

It seems to be a crisis for the moment but I am very positive that the future of the Indian industry is very bright. We can acquire Chinese export share if we unite, change our mindset and commit to giving quality, consistency and shipments on time. We should promote ‘Make in India’ logo on every shipped product and I am sure we would cover our all losses incurred during the lockdown period.

What do you expect from the govt?

It should adopt a practical approach to revive the industry and export incentives like GST refunds and others should be released soon so that exporters do not have to run from pillar to post for them.