Innovation that meets specific customer needs may provide a solution. Greenville Co. has attracted major Japanese buyers while Santhawee Intergroup launches one innovation every year.

The first Thai silk producer to obtain the EU Flower logo, Greenville Co., Ltd. continues to innovate by creating new products or adding value to existing materials while keeping up with fashion trends and concepts through close collaboration with customers. Greenville works closely with YM Fashion which produces hi-end ladies’ wear for 15 retail outlets in Japan, 15 stores in Thailand as well as stores in Europe and the UK. Muji brand is currently testing sample silk products.
 

Mr Schle Woodthanan of Textile Gallery, owner of PASAYA, developed curtains that can lower indoor temperature by 2-4o Celsius

“Most Thai suppliers think they can’t meet Japanese specifications such as silk with dry-touch feel. After initial trial and error, we managed to reproduce accurate design patterns on 1,000 meters of fabric. Instead of obsessing about impossible tasks, I believe everything is possible through R&D even though 90% of experiments may be wasted. The important thing is to listen to customer needs and strive to satisfy these needs while focusing on fashion concepts, creating new styles and exploring non-garment textile applications. Key words are design and R&D,” said Mr Pilan Dhammongkol, general manager.  
 

In addition to eco friendly cloth bags that won the No. 2 Award for National Innovation and Nanova police uniform, Santavee Intergroup Co., Ltd. has developed silver complex anti-bacterial fabrics for Thai International, local banks and the Naraya brand. New product lines include H-brand ready-to-wear garment, Nanova hand wash gel and other consumer products.
  

“Innovation also requires strong selling points and marketing support to attract consumers. Innovation means challenging traditional concepts and adding creative ideas and/or architectural designs to make new end products. It took 5 years before high level executives accepted the concept of continuous innovation. After sending R&D staff to learn art, drawing and out-of-the-box thinking, we were able to launch new textile applications such as bathing robes, accessories, stationery etc.. Every company can become a Learning Organization,” said Mr Jirasak Rojanavongse, research & development manager. Santavee also obtained Bt 1.4mn grant from the National Innovation Agency, Ministry of Science and Technology, for R&D to develop Nano fabrics for police uniforms.
 

“Thai textiles need to create original products by adding value to existing materials or products and applying marketing techniques to communicate with consumers. Thai textiles may disappear some day as a result of continuous shift in textile production base, hence we need to explore new value-added ideas and focus on brand building. Instead of investing in new machinery, Santavee is outsourcing and re-inventing itself as a brand creator. By launching 1 new product each year, the company will earn around Bt300mn or revenues this year,” said Mr Jirasak.
 

Based on the Energy Policy & Planning Office’s, Ministry of Energy, finding that lowering room temperature by 1o Celsius can reduce air-conditioning costs by 10%, Textile Gallery Co., Ltd. owner of PASAYA brand, developed curtains that can lower indoor temperature by 2-4o Celsius by reflecting magnetic waves from infra-red and UV rays. In addition to SPF 50+ protection certified by SGS, this Formaldehyde Free fabric also prevents allergy and dust accumulation.
 

“After years of R&D and wasting over 10,000 meters of fabrics, we were able to achieve the required standard and quality, namely, lower indoor temperature by 2o Celsius. PASAYA is one of the two companies worldwide to produce this innovative textile which can save energy costs in high-rise buildings by 10%, safeguard privacy and protect against harmful UV rays,” explained Mr Schle Woodthanan, design director, Textile Gallery.