n November this year, when the Dilip Piramal-promoted VIP Industries announced the global relaunch of its newly acquired international luggage brand Carlton, what the Rs 400-crore Indian luggage major actually did was put the finishing touches to a gameplan that it has meticulously chalked out for itself. A gameplan that not only resonates with VIP Industries� long-cherished dream of marking a significant presence in the international luggage market, but also accounts for the company�s desire to entrench itself firmly as India�s number one luggage manufacturer. (For the record, while VIP luggage contributes around Rs 360 crore to the company�s turnover, the Moderna range of plastic furniture contributes the rest.)

The process was, of course, set in motion earlier this year when VIP Industries bought over the world�s fourth largest moulded luggage manufacturer, the UK-based Carlton International, which was in a state of insolvency. Not only did the acquisition give VIP Industries access to a well-known global brand, the Indian company also acquired Carlton�s award-winning designs, intellectual property rights, moulds, plant and machinery. In fact, following the acqui-sition, VIP Industries promptly moved Carlton�s plant and machinery to the company�s factory in Nashik in an effort to maximise savings. ... more