Raymond enters auto fabrics

Raymond, which lays claim to the title of India's leading textiles and apparel company and global leader in integrated production of worsted suiting fabric, yesterday announced a breakthrough in automobile fabrics, with its printed seating material for the Tata Magic IRIS, a new offering from the Tata Motors stable.

The new product is being manufactured by Raymond's joint venture company, with Treves SA. of France -  Rayves Automotive Textile Company.

Raymond says the the new seating fabric has provided car buyers in India with a wide array of options to choose from.

S K Singhal, president (textiles), Raymond, and member of the board of Rayves Automotive Textile Company, said, ''The use of printed fabric for car interiors is an innovation at TATA Motors. We are confident that this development, in association with a renowned brand like Tata Motors will establish our presence prominently in the automotive seat fabric segment, as is the case currently with suiting fabrics.''

On display at the 10th Auto Expo 2010 in Delhi since January 05, 2010, the Magic IRIS is a  five seater - billed as a last-mile or end-point mover designed to get people into cars.

Carl De Freitas, vice president – textile and covering materials division, Treves S.A. and board member of Rayves, said, ''Our 15-year presence in India through our joint venture with M/s Supreme Non-Woven has provided us inroads - beyond carpets and headliners - to the car manufacturing sector. Equipped with a deep understanding of their needs, this project with Tata Motors helps us bring our expertise in European designing experience to the Indian market."

Freitas said rayves was joining hands with Kawashima Selkon Textiles, a reputed automotive seating fabric maker from Japan,  to strengthen its Indian presence by serving the Japanese car manufacturers operating in the country.