Moving Up in the Global Market.

This article profiles Venus Group of Cos. The company, headed by Kirit Patel and run with the help of his wife and brothers, produces apparel and home textiles that are sold in Europe, Africa, and the U.S. It maintains offices and showrooms in Bangalore and Mumbai in India, as well as New York and California. With vested interests in two Indian mills already, Venus has recently constructed a wholly owned and completely vertical 175,000 square-foot facility in southern India that includes a dyehouse, warehouse space, and factory. The company projects manufacturing$2.35 million worth of towels in its first year of production. As of 2004, Venus Home offers five lines of towels, each aimed at different price points. The top-of-the-line is everyday Embellished. So called because, with rare exceptions, all the embellishment is woven into the towel rather than being attached, thus, it can be laundered and used on a daily basis. Because of its manufacturing capabilities, Venus also ships multiple containers per month of handsome yarn-dyed jacquards at opening price points. A new high-end designer brand is to debut in 2005. To complete its towel ensembles, Venus also offers terry shower curtains and bath mats and will be introducing coordinating ceramic and metal bath accessories in 2005.