Training women to become entrepreneurs

Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail launches micro manufacturing unit scheme for women, enabling them to set up small garment manufacturing units

Devi joined Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail’s Madura unit 20 years ago as a trainee, She rose through the ranks to become senior supervisor, and has since trained over 2,000 women herself.

Today she has turned into an entrepreneur and is the proud manager of her own manufacturing unit as a beneficiary under Madura’s Micro Manufacturing Unit (MMU) scheme.

MMUs are a unique Madura initiative where garments are manufactured in small units set up in villages close to its plants. Madura installs machinery and provides skill training. Through this scheme, rural areas become economic hubs, village women gain employment, and Madura achieves a 44 percent reduction in the manufacturing cost of shirts. So far, Madura’s four MMUs employ 800+ women and produce 27 lakh garments every year. The women earn Rs.8.16 crore as annual wages. The MMUs are a win-win solution, not just for Madura and the women, but also for the local families and communities.