Courtney Williams Post 4

Yesterday we had a really unique opportunity in Coimbatore, we visited one of the factories that produces cotton fabrics for several companies, including a few in the US, like Hanes and Wal-Mart. Apparently it’s one of the best factories in the area, and it’s run by the same company that runs Chennai Silks, one of the largest saree producers. They are the company that’s produced the worlds most expensive silk saree.

They had a lot of the certifications we would look for in a business, such as ISO, and they produced a lot of organic, and naturally dyed yarns and fabrics. They even generate some of their power with wind turbines.
It was amazing to be allowed into this factory, because, as any journalist will tell you, it’s not too often places like these let outsiders, especially foreigners, in to view the manufacturing process. But we were welcomed with more than hospitable arms, we first went into their executive boardroom and viewed a presentation on the company, and then talked with the current CEO and President (managing director) as well as his son and his father (heir and predecessor) about the roles of women in business, environmental issues, and international policy. It got a little tense, because issues involving womens roles in their business were pushed, but they remained courteous and tried to answer our questions as politely as possible.
After the discussion we toured the facility. We saw the president’s office, the sales and customer service departments, fabric testing area, cutting area, assembly area, raw cotton storage, cotton processing, cleaning, and spinning sections. The factory wasn’t at all what you picture when you imagine a clothes manufacturer in India. The ceilings were high, and all the buildings were warehouse like and well lit. The youngest girls there looked young to me, but they had all finished with their primary education, and were at least 15. There were visible safety precautions, and many employees wore dust masks to protect their t\lungs from the cotton dust. The workers all lived and ate for free in hostels on the grounds of the plant, and received yearly bonuses, as well as a large bonus after they’ve been working there for three years, which is enough money for them to get married (which to an American, sounds very assuming and almost condescending, but here it’s looked upon as more than generous.)
Unfortunately our blogging time is almost up, so I’m left without any great insightful conclusion (in contrast to Jen) and pages upon pages left that I wanted to type.