Latest news with #Daga
News18
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
15-Year-Old Kolkata Teen Sets 4 Card-Stacking World Records In 24 Hours
Last Updated: Arnav Daga broke the world records for building the tallest house of cards in one hour, eight hours, 12 hours and 24 hours. Teenager Arnav Daga from Kolkata has etched his name in the history books by breaking four Guinness World Records for card-stacking in a single day. He accomplished the feat on October 19, 2024, by setting the record for building the tallest house of cards in one hour, eight hours, 12 hours and 24 hours. Guinness World Records on Instagram said, 'An Indian man with a passion for card-stacking set himself the ultimate challenge – 24 hours to break four records." It added, 'Arnav Daga armed himself with hundreds of cards – and a dream – on 19 October 2024. And by the time the day was done, he had earned records for the tallest house of cards built in one hour, eight hours, 12 hours and 24 hours." They also posted pictures of Daga's accomplishment. On his pursuit to break the world records, Daga said, 'Card stacking has always been my passion, and I wanted to test my limits." In his bid to break the one-hour record, he stacked 30 levels. 'Card stacking is a challenging art which requires a lot of time and patience," he said. This was followed by Daga creating a new tower to break the other three records, he said, 'I was already exhausted by the first attempt, so I started off really slow and wasn't sure if I'd be able to accomplish the target which I had set." Putting on his headphones to listen to some music helped him stay motivated, he said. Arnav created a tower of 61 levels to break the remaining three records. 'From seeing records being created to finally becoming a record holder has been a really satisfying journey and I wish to single-handedly own all the Guinness World Records titles in the field of card stacking," he said. Before Daga's record-breaking attempt, the record for creating the tallest house of cards in eight and 12 hours belonged to Tian Rui from China. Tian has already reclaimed the title for the eight-hour category with a tower of 62 levels. It is interesting to note that it is not the first time that Daga has set a world record for card-stacking. In 2023, he used 1.43 lakh cards to build the world's largest playing card structure. The structures replicated four iconic buildings in Kolkata: the Writers' Building, the Shaheed Minar, Salt Lake Stadium, and St. Paul's Cathedral. First Published: May 25, 2025, 12:30 IST
Business of Fashion
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business of Fashion
The Tariff-Proof International Expansion Playbook
Los Angeles-based fine jewellery maker Angara was already well on its way to reducing its dependence on the US for sales before President Donald Trump announced his tariff plan last month, entering India at the end of last year and planning a number of international launches for 2025. But the rapidly unfolding trade war propelled Angara to make those moves more quickly, said co-founder and chief executive Ankur Daga. The brand now expects to enter countries including Japan and Singapore at least a quarter earlier than planned. 'The US has become increasingly uncertain,' Daga said. 'If we were to predict revenue at a quarter or a year or five years, it's just so hard to do here.' The US and China agreed earlier this week to lower tariffs on each other's goods. But though the worst case scenario was avoided, duties are still higher than they were a few weeks ago. Dozens of other countries could see tariffs imposed in July, and a global 10 percent levy remains in place. The prospect of higher manufacturing costs, and worsening US consumer sentiment, means new geographies are increasingly important to brands' bottom lines. For American companies committed to their global ambitions, going overseas offers an escape from turbulence at home. To make their global expansion bets pay off, brands will have to continue to grow their network of suppliers, manufacturers and distribution partners to be closer to their new selling locations, which should be selected carefully. 'Whatever diversification you have achieved so far, you've got to put it on steroids,' said Anshuman Jaiswal, chief business officer at software firm OnePint, which helps global businesses manage inventory. Going Global With the Trump administration's tariff plans still in flux, picking the right locations to expand into is paramount. US brands facing economic tumult at home are entering or doubling down on overseas spots where they're already seeing demand — and with minimal exposure to tariff upheaval. Countries where consumers are still willing to pay premium prices are particularly appealing, especially as many shoppers in the US are reaching the limit of their spending power. Angara, for example, is targeting countries where, unlike in the US, demand for high-end gems shows no signs of slowing down. They're already seeing results: Angara's sales in India surpassed $1 million just six months after entering the market, Daga said. New York-based kid and teen-centric beauty label Evereden is planning to enter the Middle East in the next year, where consumers are more apt to splurge on luxury fragrances and less likely to be deterred by price increases, said Kimberley Ho, the brand's co-founder and co-chief executive. An added bonus? Demand for skincare and fragrances among Gen Alpha in the region is growing, too. 'There is a nine-figure opportunity from the Middle East for Evereden alone, so we are not going to let tariffs stop us from that,' Ho said. Bulking Up DTC With many finer tariff details still in limbo, brands are also trying to wrestle back what control they can in order to more quickly respond to an ever-changing situation. Some are doubling down on their global direct-to-consumer businesses, where they can control everything from pricing to marketing to shipping. The wellness brand Apothékary, for example, managed to lock in rates with its American manufacturing partner earlier this year after the value of the dollar fell, which reduced the cost of buying US-made goods in other currencies. This in turn allowed the brand to hold off raising prices on its online store across the more than 200 countries it ships to, said founder and chief executive Shizu Okusa. Having consistent prices across markets is critical for Apothékary as it looks to increase its global customer base on its direct platforms. The brand is also launching exclusive products for its online store, such as a recent collaboration with berry-maker Oishii, Okusa added. Once established in a new market through DTC, brands can use those results to test their strength in that region before further expanding through local retail partners — regardless of tariffs. US-based cosmetics label Merit Beauty, for example, entered Sephora UK in March (prior to tariff implementation), significantly expanding its reach in the country. While the UK economy has problems of its own, Merit was confident in its decision because it had seen two years of strong DTC sales, and British customers had been asking for a way to shop the brand in real life, Philippe Pinatel, Merit Beauty's chief executive, said in a February interview with The Business of Beauty. For Okusa, managing international expansion amid tariff uncertainty is also a chance to create a more efficient business in the long-term. 'I am not going to waste a good crisis,' Okusa added. 'A good crisis means you're taking stock of headcount; you're taking stock of efficiency in your marketing; [and] you're taking stock of your most valuable customers.'
Fibre2Fashion
08-05-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Indian textile industry leaders hail UK FTA as game-changer
Indian industry leaders are closely examining how the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom could present a major opportunity for them. From price dynamics to product profiles and regulatory requirements to trade facilitation, the FTA's provisions could potentially quadruple Indian textile and apparel exports to $5 billion. Kishan Daga, founder anchor of consulting service provider Concepts N Strategies , explained that if a yoga legging is priced at £10 (~$13.28, FOB), it currently costs £11.20 in the UK market after adding a 12 per cent import duty under the pre-FTA regime. However, after the FTA, it would cost £10 due to zero duty. This price drop could help Indian exporters win more orders or offer better margins to UK buyers. Daga said that UK buyers look for moisture-wicking, anti-odour, stretchable, and sustainable materials in activewear. Therefore, Indian manufacturers can focus on technical fabrics and performance wear. They need to invest in or collaborate with suppliers offering polyester-spandex blends, recycled PET fabrics, and anti-microbial treatments. Post-FTA, Indian suppliers will benefit not only from zero duty but also improved trade facilitation. Most Indian products are already compliant with UK and EU regulatory standards. Indian textile leaders see the Indiaâ€'UK FTA as a game-changer, potentially quadrupling exports to $5 billion. Zero-duty access will make Indian products, especially technical fabrics, denim and casualwear, more competitive in the UK. Industry voices highlight improved margins, compliance readiness, and enhanced market share. The FTA is said to pave the way for broader global trade expansion. Suketu Shah, CEO, Vishal Fabrics Ltd, stated, 'The conclusion of the FTA brings an exciting new phase for India's textile industry, especially in sectors like denim and apparel. The agreement ensures that 99 per cent of Indian textile exports, including garments and fabrics, will now benefit from duty-free access to the UK market. Currently, it imposes import duties of 10-12 per cent. This move is a substantial step toward improving the global competitiveness of Indian manufacturers like us who specialize in high-quality denim.' 'By eliminating these tariffs, Indian textile products, including denim and casual wear, will become more cost-competitive in the UK, allowing brands to strengthen their foothold in one of their largest export markets. This will help reduce production costs and enhance pricing flexibility for manufacturers, positioning them to capture a larger share of the UK market. The removal of duties is expected to increase the demand for Indian textiles, driving an estimated $5 billion boost in exports across the sector,' he further said. This agreement is in sync with the larger objective of positioning India as a global leader in the textile industry, further opening up international markets and enabling manufacturers to stay competitive. By capitalising on this shift, brands can drive sustainable growth and contribute to India's thriving textile sector, Shah added. RR Desai, plant head of Chiripal Industries Pvt Ltd , said, 'The trade deal will be great for India's textile industries as at this juncture we have to pay 12 per cent duty for the Indian made textile while Bangladesh is having zero duty access. So, once the treaty is implemented in the true sense, Indian textiles will have a competitive advantage against Bangladesh. Our trade with UK as of now is approximately $1.25 billion which can be further increased by $1 billion. But the real boost will come if India cracks an FTA with the US.' Vikash Agarwal, director, Rupa and Company Ltd, said, 'For brands like ours, this agreement means an opportunity to expand our presence further in the UK market, which is one of the largest export destinations for Indian textiles. The removal of import duties will not only enhance pricing flexibility but also make Indian products more attractive to UK consumers. At Rupa, we are known for our diverse product offerings, and this tariff removal offers a significant strategic advantage.' He added that the FTA marks a major milestone for India's textile sector, opening new avenues for growth and competitiveness. 'Our nation's textile exports to the UK have long been a central component of the industry's success, and this agreement will further strengthen that trade relationship. It could drive up Indian textile exports by an estimated $5 billion, giving brands the chance to increase their market share.' 'UK is one of the largest apparel importers, sourcing nearly $19–20 billion worth annually. The FTA eliminates the tariffs of up to 12–16 per cent levied on Indian textiles, garments, footwear, and carpets, instantly boosting our industry's competitiveness and export potential,' said Rajeev Gupta, joint managing director, RSWM Ltd . Gupta noted that the agreement is expected to lead to a significant rise in trade volumes, with nearly 99 per cent of Indian exports to the UK becoming duty-free. 'This is especially significant for India's labour-intensive sectors, promising substantial job creation and growth. At RSWM Ltd, we see this as a golden opportunity to deepen our footprint in the UK market, strengthen supply chain linkages, and scale up value-added offerings,' he added. Gupta also highlighted the reciprocal benefits of the FTA. 'Reduced tariffs on UK-origin technical textiles and high-end fabrics will bring advanced materials into India, further enriching our domestic capabilities. This agreement marks a new era of mutual growth, innovation, and economic synergy between India and the UK.' Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India Cement's CFO sees ebitda per tonne above Rs 1,000 crore in 3 years
India Cement, now a subsidiary of UltraTech Cement, anticipates a sharp rise in profitability. The company aims to achieve an Ebitda per tonne of over ₹1,000 within three years. This improvement will be driven by increased volumes, better margins, cost efficiency, and lower logistics expenses. UltraTech plans to invest ₹1,500 crore in India Cement over the next two fiscal years. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads India Cement is eyeing a sharp spike in its profitability, with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) per tonne crossing ₹1,000 in three years from just ₹40 in the March quarter, a top executive said."During this year, we target to cross an Ebitda per metric tonne of ₹500, FY27 should be crossing ₹800, and thereafter a four-digit mark," said Atul Daga, chief financial officer of India Cement that became a subsidiary of UltraTech Cement late in improvement in volumes, higher margins by way of prices and cost efficiency, lower logistics costs, and overhead optimisation will aid the profitability, Daga told analysts on a call post the company's quarterly earnings. "Practically, all elements of the P&L are getting addressed for improvement," he South India-centred company, which became a subsidiary of UltraTech Cement late in December, achieved operating Ebitda breakeven in interest rate outgo is down by 3.76% since the acquisition, falling to ₹38 crore in the March quarter from ₹64 crore in the year-ago period. UltraTechplans to spend ₹1,500 crore as capital expenditure on India Cements over the current amd next fiscal.
