Speaking with Salil Chawla, Director of DFU Publications, and Sumit Santhalia, Co-Founder and Director, TechnoSport, taking care of the product sales, marketing, and designing on the sidelines of the Intimasia 2025 show.
Ours is a 15-year-old brand, and we’ve been in this space for a long time. Over the years, we’ve built a strong business, and our growth has accelerated since the pandemic. Looking ahead, we aim for even greater expansion across India in the next five years.
Initially, we were purely a manufacturing brand, but now we're evolving into a more consumer-facing one. That’s why we actively participate in exhibitions and trade fairs—to connect directly with customers.
The pandemic was a turning point, as Indian consumers have become more health-conscious.
They now recognize the true value of comfort wear, including athleisure, and are moving away from itchy or uncomfortable fabrics.
We position ourselves as a tech-wear brand, blending functionality with fashion. While we are not solely fashion-driven, our products strike a balance between style and utility, ensuring comfort for active, everyday life. This has been our focus for the past 15 years, but post-pandemic, consumers have truly realized its importance.
When it comes to activewear, India still faces challenges. While there is strong market demand, the manufacturing ecosystem is not yet fully developed. However, the Indian government is taking steps to change this with initiatives like the PLI (Production-Linked Incentive) scheme, specifically designed for man-made fiber-based products.
These efforts aim to boost domestic production for both Indian and global markets. While the industry has seen growth in the past 3–4 years, we expect real transformation in the next 4–5 years.
That said, qualifying for PLI remains a challenge, as the eligibility criteria are quite high. Many Indian manufacturers and brands struggle to meet these requirements. However, the government is working on adjustments to make participation more accessible.
Currently, there is significant dependence on Taiwan, which leads the world in activewear technology. Many global brands and factories are now setting up offices and manufacturing plants in India, and we should start seeing tangible results in the next few years.
As for India’s market potential, it is already massive. Many imported brands dominate, often rebranded and sold at high price points. If more products were truly Made in India, for India, it would greatly benefit consumers.
Indians are eager for high-quality, homegrown options, but for decades, they haven’t had them. Looking forward, we hope this gap will be filled over the next one or two decades.
For now, much is Made in India, but not yet Made for the World—something we aim to change.