The story
Ahmedabad was once called the 'Manchester of the East' for its cotton mills, built on Gujarat's cotton crop and local merchant capital. When many old mills closed, large firms moved into denim and modern weaving and processing. A wide base of garment units, washing plants and textile machinery makers has grown around them.
In numbers
Gujarat accounts for 65-70% of denim made in India, and 20 of India's top 40 denim fabric producers are based in Ahmedabad.
Ahmedabad denim players target brand retail growth (Apparel Resources) · 2024The Ahmedabad textile machinery accessories cluster had 150 units and 2,500 workers (district profile, c. 2012).
Brief Industrial Profile of Ahmedabad District (MSME-DI Ahmedabad, Ministry of MSME) · 2012
GI tag
- Ahmedabad Sodagari BlockApplication no. GI Application No. 1063Registration details of Geographical Indications (GI Registry, IP India)
Ways in for a newcomer
- Jeans stitching and job-work for brands
- Denim washing and finishing
- Fabric trading
- Machinery spares and servicing
Problems the cluster faces
- Water use and effluent from washing
- Cotton price swings
- Competition from Bangladesh in garments
Businesses to start here
Denim Garments (Jeans, Jackets, Shorts) →Denim Washing Unit →Readymade Garments Unit (Baby Rompers) →Textile Made-Ups (Napkins, Mats, Aprons) →