Establishing the effects of indian manufactured products on the textile and apparel industry

Abstract

This study attempted to explore the effect of India’s manufactured products on the textile and apparel industries based in Nairobi and its surroundings, Kenya. The target population of study was all textiles and apparel manufacturing industries that are members of Kenya Association of manufacturers KAM and operate within Nairobi and its surroundings. This study used a purposive sample of 38 respondents. Questionnaires were used for data collection. Quantitative and Qualitative analysis techniques were applied. From the findings, the study reveals a number of conclusions. Most of the textiles and apparel manufacturing industries have been in operation for more than 10 years. A majority of them are engaged in fabric and apparel manufacturing and record an annual turnover of over 100 million Kenya shillings. Product innovation; market development; improvement in technology; aggressive marketing; and changes in customer needs have contributed to the success of the companies to a great extent. Globalization/regionalization,technological advancement, and improved customer awareness impacted on companies to a great extent. Companies’ loss of market share and decline in profits has been affected to a very extent by the Kenya-India bilateral trade agreement. Moreover, the companies have adopted moderately important strategies like market penetration, market development, and product development in order to remain competitive in the textiles and apparel industry. The study recommends that:textiles and apparel industries should also ensure that cotton production becomes a priority in their development policies in Kenya; and the GoK to intensively and expansively focus its policies extensively on investment in the textiles and apparel industry as well as the so much neglected cotton industry.