Puspen Maity: High-performance functional wear for women is an area we need to focus on more
TechnoSport was co-founded in 2015 by Sunil Jhunjhunwala and Sumit Santhalia with the mission to provide high-quality, technologically advanced activewear at affordable prices, primarily for the Indian market. Today, they are a leading performance and activewear brand, having sold over 10.5 million units in 2024 alone. Puspen Maity, CEO, Technosport, shares the performance ofIndian activewear segment and how his company is contributing to this in this interview with Divya Shetty.
Could you take tell us more about the company journey.
Currently, we have transitioned from our earlier factory to a new facility, which is being constructed under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme of the government. This new setup is expected to enhance our production capacity, aiming for at least a 30 per cent increase in the near future. Ultimately, by the time the construction is completed, this would increase much more.
Our products are available in over 6000 MBOs across India, supported by over 30 super stockists. We’ve also begun expanding our Exclusive Brand Outlets, with 7 stores already open in South India in FY 24-25 (Bangalore, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Salem, Mysore & Hyderabad) and plans to open 3 more this financual year. Our upcoming flagship store will open in HSR Layout Bangalore in March.
Globally, we have a presence in South Africa and the UAE, and are actively exploring further expansion into other international markets.
In addition to expanding our manufacturing capabilities, we are deeply committed to sustainable practices. We are implementing systems to recycle all water used in our processes, which not only conserves resources but also integrates sustainability into our operational model. This commitment to eco-friendly practices is central to our approach and aligns with our goal of responsible manufacturing.
Which segment in activewear is currently performing well, particularly from Techno Sportswear’s perspective? Additionally, which segment holds potential but lacks attention, and how does your company plan to highlight it?
At TechnoSport, we see strong performance across most of our product lines. Our earlier bestsellers, which consisted of about 20 styles, have expanded to around 35 styles as we continually innovate and test new designs in small batches. This approach allows us to gauge market fit and adapt based on consumer feedback.
From a growth perspective, the women’s segment is still in its nascent stage and holds great potential. We recognise that high-performance functional wear for women is an area we need to focus on more. To address this, we are enhancing our design efforts within our teams to create products that cater specifically to women’s active lifestyles.
Our aim is to highlight this segment by integrating advanced technologies into our offerings, ensuring that they are both functional and stylish. By doing so, we hope to not only capture the interest of women but also drive growth in this category significantly. This strategic focus will enable us to better serve the evolving needs of our customers while positioning Techno Sportswear as a leader in the activewear market.
What challenges does the Indian activewear segment face, and how is your company addressing them?
The Indian activewear segment’s primary challenge lies in its heavy reliance on manufacturing ecosystems outside India. We still import a significant amount, and processes along with mass production are more efficient in places like China compared to India. Addressing this requires substantial investment in building a robust local ecosystem to foster self-sufficiency. Our company is focusing on initiatives that support the development of domestic manufacturing capabilities, encouraging innovation, and ensuring quality. We aim to reduce dependency on imports and enhance the competitiveness of Indian-made activewear by investing in technology and skills development within the country.
Innovation is at the core of TechnoSport with constant R&D and Materials Innovation to create high-performance fabrics like ‘Cotflex’. We prioritise building strong brand recognition through multifaceted marketing strategies, leveraging both digital and traditional channels to connect with our target audience and solidify our position in the market.
This approach will not only benefit our company but also contribute to the overall growth and resilience of the Indian activewear market.
What materials do you use in your products? Are they readily available in India, or do you need to source them from outside the country?
Our entire product line relies on man-made fabrics. The yarn, which is the fundamental element of our finished products, is sourced from China and Taiwan. Aside from the yarn, everything else is manufactured right here in India. The key consideration is whether we can achieve the same mass production efficiency as the Chinese ecosystem, or if local production would lead to a cost difference that increases the prices of our products. That’s the crux of the matter.
What additional support do you believe the government should provide to help the textile industry thrive in this segment?
I believe we’re at a crucial juncture where major international brands are looking to diversify their sportswear supply chains, and India stands out as the most stable and scalable long-term option. To truly capitalise on this, we need the government’s support in several key areas. I believe that expanding the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme is very important. Currently, we need to balance imports with building on existing infrastructure inside the country. Any assistance the government can provide in building that ecosystem and incentivising manufacturing here will help the overall industry.
Streamlined import policies for critical raw materials like yarn, fabric, and machinery are essential for driving global competitiveness. Policies like QCO and BIS, which currently restrict access to high-quality raw materials, need to be re-evaluated to allow us to play a key role in the global market. For the next few years, we need to work with all supply chains while incentivising local manufacturers to invest heavily in R&D, technology, scale, and automation to meet global standards.
Lastly, what are the short-term as well as the long-term plans of Techno Sportswear? In line with our commitment to ‘Make in India, made for the world’, we are dedicated to showcasing our products specifically for Indian consumers. Our Major focus is expanding our retail presence across South, West & East India, with a target of opening 50-60 new stores in the upcoming financial year. Long term, we aim to become a globally recognised activewear brand while remaining locally loved. Our journey reflects our ambition to inspire an active lifestyle globally while nurturing local roots
