Coirtex International

If you go down to Arrattuvazhy P. O., you’ll find us at Coirtex International. We are at number 51/124A, which is a spot we’ve called home for quite some time. The coir business is a bit of a dusty one, and you can usually see the fibers floating in the air when the sun hits the windows just right. It’s a very traditional kind of work, and we don't try to make it seem like anything else. The building is older, with high ceilings and floors that have seen better days, but it’s sturdy and keeps the rain out. Alappuzha has that humid air that makes everything feel a bit heavy, but you get used to it after a few years. We spend our days managing the inventory and making sure the production side of things is moving along. There’s a lot of manual handling involved, so everyone here is pretty used to getting their hands dirty. We don't have a receptionist or a lobby with magazines; usually, if you walk in, you’ll just see someone busy with a ledger or moving some bundles around. It’s a practical life, and we don't have time for much fluff. We just focus on the coir and the orders that need to go out. The pace is steady, and that’s how we like it. The smell of the fiber is something you never quite lose, even when you go home after a long shift.