TEXtalks: Can you give some pointers on the history of Crescent Group and the capacities of yarn production?
Ahmad Shafi: Crescent Textile Mills started in 1950, founded by four brothers and one of them was my grandfather Muhammad Shafi. Crescent Textile Mills has about a hundred thousand spindles and produces about 1,500 bags of yarn daily.
TEXtalks: What part does US cotton play and how much cotton is being utilized by Crescent Group on an annual basis?
Ahmad Shafi: Crescent Textile Mills consume about 17,000 tons of cotton per year, and about one-third of it is US cotton; in the last three seasons the consumption of US cotton has grown by five times and the reason behind it is, it increases the efficiency which allowed us to produce a yarn which already has brand equity in the market. We do not face issues we have with local cotton such as contamination. Overall, the image of our products become much superior.
TEXtalks: How much do you think that the superior micronaire, strength, length, and dyeability add value to your customers/brands?
Ahmad Shafi: It’s really important that the raw material, we use is of very good quality because our customers expect the top quality products from us and the quality products, like with US cotton. It is the perfect match for us, that’s why it’s grown substantially in terms of our consumption every year.
TEXtalks: What is the level of comfort your consumers are willing to pay for a good quality US cotton?
Ahmad Shafi: It’s always a challenge with the price. Customers don’t want to pay a premium, even they want a premium product. Nevertheless, it’s all about satisfaction and as long as our customers are satisfied, we prefer better quality cotton such as US cotton.
TEXtalks: Is there any significant financial advantage to your company for using top-quality US cotton?
Ahmad Shafi: US cotton allows us better efficiencies and better yarn results because we produce air-jet quality yarns most of which goes to knitwear producers. US cotton is classified by the USDA, and we are going to buy and get exactly what we expect which reduces a lot of rework and in the end, we can lower our costs.
TEXtalks: With international brands, what is the acceptability of the products that are being manufactured with US cotton?
Ahmad Shafi: US cotton is certified as a sustainable product and with the recent pandemic everybody is moving towards sustainability. They are looking for those products which can be traced back to their origin but also have credibility for being environmentally friendly at the same time. They do give importance to such products and this sort of sustainable market has been grown by about 25% in the past year.
TEXtalks: Do you know the initiative of the US Cotton industry towards sustainability (USCTP)? Your views to supply sustainable products to your customers?
Ahmad Shafi: The US Cotton Trust Protocol program started a year ago when COTTON USA was introducing it to the yarn spinning industry. We are promoting this product to our customers and it will take some more time. Soon customers will understand the importance of sustainability but when they do our products will be ready and available to them. We have a comfort level and trust with the US Cotton Trust Protocol, and it is a pleasure for us to offer this to our customers.
TEXtalks: Would you like to give a few words of suggestions or a glimpse into what you would be expecting in the coming future?
Ahmad Shafi: Future seems bright. We have never seen current surge ever in my working experience. With people staying home and looking into home improvements, one product that comes to their mind is bedding that’s what we do. There is a huge demand for bedding out of Pakistan. It’s probably the first time when capacities are fully booked and we don’t see any letdown in the near future.
