Parker accessories to hit Indian and global markets soon

US-based Newell Rubbermaid is planning to make India a sourcing hub for its premium writing instrument brand Parker. The company in collaboration with its Indian partner Delhi-based Luxor Group will bring Parker’s accessories comprising men’s jewellery, leather products and eye-wear to tap the country s growing lifestyle market. The company plans to invest Rs 100 crore to expand manufacturing and retail base of Parker in India in the next 15 months. The company plans to start exporting pens to various overseas markets such as Europe, North America, Japan and China from next year while half of the investments will go in setting up a new pen-making facility in Noida with the capacity of 100 million units, the balance will be invested in opening 100 exclusive and shop-in-shop stores across the country. To build Parker brand in India, an extensive range of its accessories will be launched in India early next year that will be available in Luxor’s existing and new retail outlets. Newell has also entered into an agreement with Luxor International, the wholly owned export oriented subsidiary of the Luxor group, for sourcing its Berol branded markers. The Indian company will export 40 million units of Newell s Berol markers produced under Luxor International in India to the US per year for the next three to five years. The $ 6 billion Newell Rubbermaid has brands such as Parker, Waterman, Papermate, Berol, Sharpie and Dymo in its portfolio.