Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (BCCL) has acquired a stake in Lavasa Corporation Ltd., a subsidiary of Hindustan Construction Company Real Estate Ltd, India’s leading construction and infrastructure company.

The investment is the result of the efforts by Times Private Treaties, the innovative venture from the Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (BCCL) Group, which already has investments in more than 200 companies across various sectors. The Times Private Treaties business model eases the cash flow of a company so that resources set aside for brand development activities can be used toward business growth & expansion.

Lavasa is a complete new hill city being built across 12,500 acres, nestled amidst the majesty of the Sahyadri Mountains. Some distance from Mumbai and Pune, this new city embodies the spirit of human nature to aspire to a holistic life. The town is eco-friendly, based on the principles of New Urbanism and set amidst 7 hills and 60 kms of lake front.

Planned for a population of only 1.5 lakh permanent residents with an estimated tourist inflow of 20 lakh per annum, Lavasa is developing fast, with the first town slated to be ready in 2010.

The residents of Lavasa can access state-of-the-art modern amenities while enjoying the tranquility of wide-open expanses and a scenic natural waterfront.

A self-contained world, Lavasa offers its residents and visitors a spectacular array of business, educational, recreational and rejuvenation opportunities.

“Lavasa is in line with the concept of large scale urban development, specifically catering to special needs of the new economy. Fully integrated township complexes offer a comprehensive modern city infrastructure, encompassing basic amenities, social infrastructure, educational institutions, health care facilities, hospitality and shopping & entertainment options. These townships also set benchmarks in ecological urbanism. In addition, we see significant contribution to the economy and employment arising from such largescale projects. While Times Private Treaties has consistently made risk sharing investments in different formats of enterprise development, Lavasa will be an important addition to the portfolio, given the size and scale of the project.” said Karthik Reddy, Vice President, Times Private Treaties.  The Times Private Treaties business model is designed to share risk, accelerate growth and create value for the brand in the long term.

The Lavasa township is being designed and constructed by architects and contractors of international standing and supported by various experts in the fields of planning, construction, transportation, utility, environment and other infrastructure of the township.

The master plan of Lavasa (approx 12,500 acres) is developed by internationally renowned design consultant HOK, USA and is a recipient of many international awards. It is based on the principles of new urbanism that brings together all the components essential to daily life in a more organized manner thus creating spaces within walking distance from each other. It has many firsts to its credit – technology leadership, e governance, the first Indian city developed using Geographical Information System (GIS) , use of bio-mimicry as a science for planning and using innovative techniques like hydro seeding in environment management.

Lavasa aims to provide a perfect work – life balance with a unique combination of technology and infrastructure advancements. It also offers a diversity of work possibilities designed to appeal to the IT and biotech industry, KPOs and R&D companies, as well as the world of art, fashion and animation.

A complement of global leaders in Hospitality (Accor, ITC), Health and Wellness (Apollo Hospitals) and Education (Said Business School, Oxford University, Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne – Switzerland, GDST – UK, International Business Relations (IBR) – Germany, NSHM Knowledge Park – Kolkatta, Symbiosis, Christ University – Bangalore, Christel House) have already been tied up. SpaceWorld, a 65-acre edutainment park powered by technology from USSRC and NASA, will offer a space-like experience to visitors, and will be operational by the 2010.

Lavasa is planned for a permanent population of 2 lakh residents and a tourist inflow envisaged at 20 lakh per annum. The first town Dasve is slated to be ready by 2010. Lavasa is a prime offering from HCC, with a level of city infrastructure yet to be experienced in India, thus setting a new benchmark in planning, construction and service delivery.

Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (BCCL) has acquired a stake in G J Free Fashions (GJFFL), a subsidiary of Gini and Jony Limited- one of India’s leading garment manufacturers, retailers & distributors of premium lifestyle kidswear.

The investment is the result of the efforts by Times Private Treaties, the innovative venture from the Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (BCCL) Group, which already has investments in more than 200 companies across various sectors.

The Times Private Treaties business model eases the cash flow of a company so that resources set aside for brand development activities can be used toward business growth & expansion.

“Gini & Jony” business activities primarily includes designing, manufacturing, branding and distribution of garments and lifestyle accessories for kids, under various brands through exclusive brand outlets, large format stores, dealer distributor network and factory sale outlets.

Brand “Gini & Jony” is one of the leading kidswear brands in the country. Prakash Lakhani, CMD, GJFFL said, “The association with BCCL is a strong step forward in creating the best foothold. We look forward to carve a space for Gini & Jony among the best retailers for kids apparel shopping in the country”.

The Lakhani Brothers owned Gini & Jony Freedom Fashions is a lifestyle store that retails not only its own brand but about ten more brand in the kids wear category. The store retails other kids brands like Levis Sykes Junior, Gini and Jony, United Colors of Benetton, GJ Jeans, Ben 10, Crocs and Portico.

“GLFFL understands the entire value chain, starting off as manufacturers of premium lifestyle kidswear and, thereafter, building on their appreciation of marketing the brands to commence retail operations,” said Karthik Reddy, Vice President, Times Private Treaties. The Times Private Treaties business model is designed to share risk, accelerate growth and create value for the brand in the long term.

Times Private Treaties expects the children’s wear segment to grow dramatically.  Branded children’s apparel has been undergoing huge transformation with children demonstrating distinct brand preferences, exercising influence on buying decisions with greater exposure to global brands and being specifically addressed by television channels that are purely focused on catering to children.

The market has evolved from parents’ buying generic apparel for kids to children making choices as a result of exposure to global and Indian brands.  Estimates of kidswear market size in India put the children’s branded segment in excess of Rs 3,000 crore, out of a total market size of Rs 13,000 crore. With increasing brand awareness and modern retail formats such as Gini and Jony, the branded kids wear segment has come into its own and likely to see strong growth in the near future.

This is particularly manifest in the sheer range of clothes, designs, styles in kids’ apparel ranging from the classical shorts, shirts and skirts to a whole medley of designs and styles to rival clothes for adults. The market, however, continues to operate on the classical formats for buying children’s clothes: reasonably priced if fashionable given that kids outgrow their clothes very rapidly.

According to Mr. Reddy, “The challenge of addressing the untapped potential of children’s apparel is manifold but GLFFL has shown that its experience and insight makes for a strong growth story.”