The Hindu Business Line : RubberMark plans to launch branded balloons

The Kochi-based RubberMark, through a joint venture with Kendek of Malaysia, is setting up a plant to manufacture balloons of all sizes, shapes and hues.

They will be sold under the Partyman brand through retail chains such as FoodWorld, backed by advertising and marketing campaigns.

"Our surveys showed that there is a market for branded balloons among the middle class and upper middle class households, hotels and corporates for their parties," said Dr K.N. Raghavan, Managing Director of RubberMark.

"We will launch the balloon by April-May this year. Currently only two shapes are available - heart and apple. Partyman balloons will come in a wide range of shapes and colours, and sizes ranging from five inches to 16 inches."

Dr Raghavan also said that these balloons would have better colour clarity and longer air retention compared to those produced by the non-organised sector.

The balloons will be priced between Rs 2 and Rs 3.50 per piece. "We decided to get into branded balloons as the other rubber products businesses are quite saturated now. There is a good market for such a product as the culture of partying is catching up across the country," he said, adding that imports of balloons have gone up in recent times as demand for quality balloons is rising.

An investment of about Rs 9 crore has gone into setting up the facility. Rubber Mark holds 75 per cent equity in the venture.

Dr Raghavan said that the Malaysian company would buy 25 per cent of the production. There are plans to increase exports in the future. Large-sized balloons for the purpose of advertising, etc., will also be produced.

Rubber Mark will launch an advertising campaign in print and electronic media for Partyman balloons, he added.