Balancing tradition and technology in the coir mats sector at Vish U Mats

Abstract

Vish U Mats Pvt Ltd works in India's coir mats industry, which is at the crossroads of traditional crafts and modern manufacturing.  The company turns coconut husk into eco-friendly mats that are backed by PVC and rubberized coir. It sells these mats to Europe, North America, and the Middle East.  Even though there is a lot of demand around the world for eco-friendly floor coverings, there are still risks to getting them: the availability of husks changes with the seasons, warehouse processes are still done by hand, and shipping is less reliable.  The decision problem is to come up with a phased improvement plan that increases throughput and accuracy, strengthens export positioning, and makes sustainability an economic advantage without going overboard with capacity.  The data pack has flow maps, current ratio, revenue and margin bands, and inventory turns.  Some of the options being looked at are inventory with barcodes and vertical storage, an ERP with IoT telemetry, diversifying raw materials and getting eco-certification, and using digital channels and distributors to promote the brand.  Learning goals include figuring out what is holding MSMEs back, calculating ROI, planning changes in a practical order, and creating differentiation based on sustainability.