"In order to strengthen its position in the fabric sector, the promoters of Donear Group have acquired OCM Woolen Mills. This acquisition makes Donear India’s largest branded menswear fabric manufacturer. OCM manufactures premium range of high-quality all-wool and wool-blended worsted suiting fabrics. Donear will be able to expand its range of products for all weather conditions and for all occasions. In a win-win deal, OCM will get access to the management expertise of the promoters of Donear Group to expand its product range and distribution footprint within India and overseas markets."

In order to strengthen its position in the fabric sector, the promoters of Donear Group have acquired OCM Woolen Mills. This acquisition makes Donear India’s largest branded menswear fabric manufacturer. OCM manufactures premium range of high-quality all-wool and wool-blended worsted suiting fabrics. Donear will be able to expand its range of products for all weather conditions and for all occasions. In a win-win deal, OCM will get access to the management expertise of the promoters of Donear Group to expand its product range and distribution footprint within India and overseas markets. The distributors of OCM, who generally witness lower sales during non-winter seasons, will be able to sell an additional range of products, especially Giza, Supima, wrinkle-resistant cotton fabric for jackets, trousers etc., and Terry Rayon fabric for suit length.

Rajendra Agarwal, Promoter, Donear Group explains, “Donear Group started its major take-off in 1994 from Amritsar. OCM is India’s best-quality manufacturer of woolen and worsted fabrics, and thanks to their skilled manpower for ensuring the best quality of fabric. OCM’s tweed suiting material is extremely popular for blazer and jacket fabric across India. No other manufacturer in India has been able to match the quality of OCM blazer and jacket of tweed fabric till date. We have charted out ambitious and aggressive plans to promote the OCM brand.”

OCM’s strong heritage

OCM (formerly known as OCM India Limited) began its journey as a textile manufacturer in 1924 and forayed into worsted fabric in 1972. It has a sprawling 37-acre complex that houses an ultramodern plant with 23,000 spindles, 120 high-speed shuttles-less looms, and a woolen processing unit, with a weaving capacity of 25,000 mt. of fabric per day and an employee base of 900. OCM is the first integrated worsted woolen fabric manufacturing unit in India with the prestigious ISO 9001 certification. It is also the first Indian textile company to receive the NABL accreditation in accordance with international standard ISO 17025:2005 for its in-house Quality Assurance Laboratory.

Originally a part of SK Birla Group (Birla VXL), OCM was acquired by private equity funds managed by WL Ross & Co. LLC in 2006. Since then, OCM has undergone extensive transformation across manufacturing, product development to revitalise its brand and strengthen its business. OCM’s product design function is at the forefront of global styling with a design office in Biella, Italy. Due to its superior product quality, institutional customers such as hospitals, airline and hospitality companies, schools and government undertakings consider OCM as their preferred supplier of worsted fabric.

The acquisition

OCM Woolen Mills is the second major acquisition by the Donear Group after it acquired GBTL (formerly known as Grasim Bhiwani Textile), the PV suiting fabrics business in July this year. Like GBTL, OCM Woolen Mills will continue to operate as an independent unit, manufacturing woolen fabric products under the guidance of the Donear Group management. There will not be any change in the day-to-day management or existing policies at OCM. Post-acquisition, all entities will continue to focus on their respective brands as separate teams and the management will continue its efforts to strengthen and utilise their competencies to serve their customers.

Today, OCM offers an extensive product range under the following brands: Ferrara, an Italian luxury for the discerning buyer of premium suiting and jacketing fabrics. It is made from the blends of cashmere, mohair, silk, rose and milk fibres. OCM Style, a vast spectrum of offerings with wool & wool-blended fabrics that balance affordability, latest trends, and a high style quotient. Siena, a trendy, youthful range, in vibrant colors which drapes well, is breathable and lightweight while Bold is reflective of contemporary global styling. The ready-to-wear jackets, sweaters, shirts, and T-shirts are the best choice for modern, young Indian man. Savannah offers a new wave of ethnic fusion fashion with a remarkable freshness to meet the taste of the modern Indian woman.