As part of our endeavour to bring some of the unique and compelling startup stories from the ecosystem, we spoke to Team Solero Corporation to understand more about their vision and the way forward. Solero Corporation is a Uniforms and Workwear B2B company and they have grown from Rs 23 lakhs in 2015-16 to Rs 1.15 crores in 2019-20 and target Rs 1.5+ crores in the next fiscal. Let’s read more!
Excerpts from our conversation with Team Solero corporation:
Please tell us more about Solero Corporation and its founders;
Solero Corporation is a Uniforms and Workwear B2B company where clients order Uniforms after detailed sampling and satisfaction according to their customized styling and pattern work for their workforce enhanced with technological advancements.
While style matters, what matters substantially today is comfort and wearability. In fact both comfort and style are rated as as two most important parameters based on which employees decide what to include in their wardrobe. Proper fit and fabric ensure comfortable and wearable attire.
Workwear are becoming more technology driven offering innovations finishes such as crease resistant, water repellent, anti-static and anti-microbial in additional to high visibility finishes. This is apt application of modern advancements in technology to enable higher productivity amongst workers by improving their safety and comfort. Employees are less uncomfortable and distracted by clothes and instead remain focused on tasks assigned to them. Functional innovations are not just happening in isolation, but in tandem with comfort and fashion additions to workwear. Traditional coveralls for instance have given way to functional and fashionable jackets and trousers, and there are innovative designs like low cut trousers made from functional textiles in usage.
Solero offers customised offering in following:
Embroidery
Screen printing
Digital printing
Transfer printing
3d printing
Customisation of textiles and gifting solutions for brand promotional activities
MBA and CFAby profession. Worked in Investment banking domain with Hedge Funds for 6 years and then entreprenerd to serve Institutions for their Uniforms/Workwear requirement. Being customer centric and solving their problems is always the priority.
Neha Kanodia (Director – Production)
Worked as Senior Merchandiser for close to 5 years for clients like Mcdonald’s, Burger KIng, Jet Airways, etc. where work was to look in procurement, sampling, and execution of the orders successfully.
Mahesh Kumar Kanodia (Director – Finance)
CA by profession. CFO at LML Motors, with experience spanning more than 35 years in accounting, audit, cash budgeting and management. Deals on a regular basis with audit firms such as Price Waterhouse and Ernst & Young, and with Supreme Court and High Courtadvocates of high repute.
Solero Corporation Business Overview
Company : Solero Corporation
Brand: Solero
Products : Uniforms & Workwear
Incorporated: April 2015
Mission : To be supplier for Uniforms/Workwear for all sectors in India
Vision : First choice of supplier for Uniforms/Workwear for all sectors in India.
Business Philosophy: Quality assurance is the most important element
What is the market size? How do you find the industry/niche that you’re in and what are your plans to compete in the market?
There is increased workwear demand in India resulting from fast-growing manufacturing sector, emergence of new employment opportunities, and growth in the services market. As the organized market share in India grows, so will the need for uniform and non-uniform workwear. This growth in the organized manufacturing and services market is further fuelled by entry and expansion of MNC’s which see the country as a high potential market. Industries that are particularly contributing to increasing uniform workwear in India are retail, food, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, automobiles, security, FMCG etc.
This increased demand is a result of growing awareness amongst corporates regarding the benefits of workwear. Indian hospitals for instance have understood that when adopted, uniforms not only assist patients in identifying the hospital staff, but also create an atmosphere of professionalism and team-like feeling amongst staff. Other sectors are now realizing these benefits and will do so even more in the future. Workers in manufacturing and allied sectors such as automobile and oil and gas are becoming aware of occupational hazards, and hence companies are enforcing a safer work environment. Vendor companies that have tie ups with MNCs are often required to comply with international safety standards, furthermore having workwear assists in creating a better corporate identity. These drivers are fuelling growth in the uniforms & workwear market of the country.
Competitors:
The market is very unorganized to a large extent with local area wise service providers. STILL Solero is facing competition with large players like Skumars and Mafatlal who have ventured in to Uniforms and Workwear.
What are the products you currently manufacture?
Company is planning to expand to manufacturing of following products ,
We are currently supplying to reputed schools like Delhi Public Schools pan India and also small to mid sized companies too. Catering to more than 2500+ students and 300+ employees as on date with repeated orders.
Company’s Plan for future
Company has registered office in Panvel (Navi Mumbai) and also 4 manufacturing plants in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai (two owned and two tieups)
Solero focus on customization as it has inhouse designers in place and thereby expanded to other verticals like Hotels, Hospitals, Sports, Aviation, Maritime, Retail and Corporate gifting. On-demand designated products like Customised Uniforms, Mugs, Umbrellas , Pillows, Magnets, Bags and much more have increased exponentially as many companies wants to promote their corporate identity and branding.
Company is also exploring exports in UAE for schools and hospitality sector.
What is the Marketing and Stratregy Plan ahead?
Solero have direct sales force to target all verticals
In process of ecommerce so that parents of partner schools can buy online. Also corporates can order in bulk quantity online.
Partnering with NGO’s to tap their clients
Participation in Marathon and active events to increase brand awareness
Participation in Events and Exhibitions events to increase visibility
Promoting brand digital way from Facebook, Linkedin, and Instagram
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