Formed around 15-16 years ago, the Fabric Suppliers Association provides fabric players with a platform to showcase their products. It also enables its members to exchange data and references. This is mainly achieved through the two fairs that the association organises every year. These fairs attract 1,000-1,500 visitors in a span of two days. They also enable FSA to add 25 to 30 new members every year. Amit from Mica Lifestyle and Sanjay Gala from Y2K Fashions elaborate on these fairs, the association and its future plans.
How long have you been involved with FSA? How has the association evolved over these years?
Amit: I have been involved with this association for the last two years. During this period, the association has become more mature, professional and modernised. Its recent shifting of its fair venue to Hotel Taj is quite a positive move.
The association has been growing steadily since the last few years. What are major factors contributing to this growth?
Sanjay: This association has enabled us to form a strong bond with our customers. The two fairs that it organises every year enable our customers to meet all their suppliers under a single roof. These fairs also give our customers a complete overview of the products available in the market. During the first edition of this fair, the association had only 45 members. Today, its member base has extended to around 100. Of these, 80-85 members are participating in the current edition of the fair.
How do you deal with your defaulters?
Sanjay: We have an action committee which resolves around 90 per cent of such cases. We have also prepared a list of defaulters to make our customers aware of them
What are your future plans? How do you see this association growing?
Amit: Every year, the association organises two fairs in Mumbai; the summer and winter editions. If we follow a similar pattern in all other states, we can help smaller clients to come together under single roof. This association also helps us to add members from other Indian cities. We plan to add members from 2-3 new cities every year. These clients will be added state-wise and zone-wise
What are your expectations from this association?
Sanjay: FSA has a strong association with CMAI with most of its members being our clients. Its committee members are putting in a lot of efforts to take the association to a higher level. We plan to introduce new initiatives for its growth in future.
Amit: We believe that adding more members from the textile and fabric segments will make FSA stronger. Right now, the association has 100 members. We plan to increase this to 200 in future.
What are your expectations from the upcoming fair?
Amit: We aim to add new members by sending their invitations in advance. This will enable them to plan their participation better. Increase in the number of participants will also help this fair to generate more business. Exhibitors will benefit by adding more clients.
