A company with more than 12 decades of experience in the field of cutting room solutions, Eastman Machine Company practically needs no introduction. Eastman offers industry’s widest range of handheld and manually-operated fabric cutting machines as well as a comprehensive line of fully automated, computerized cutting, spreading and plotting systems. Manufactured with the highest quality materials, built to precise specifications, and subject to rigorous testing, Eastman’s line of cutting systems has been setting the standard over a century.
Today, Eastman has solution for virtually every cutting requirement. “In past 3 months, business in the Indian market has been growing and 2014 is predicted to be a great year since manufacturing in China is reducing and even Bangladesh is having political unrest, discouraging buyers to invest,” informed Syed Hafeez, Country Manager, Eastman. He also envisioned that if the excise duty goes down on machinery import, then Indian garment manufacturers would be able to make good quality garments at a reasonable price due to the availability of machines at a lower price, which would result in India producing 3 times more than what it is producing right now.
“We decided to introduce a single machine which can spread multiple fabrics. When a customer buys from Eastman, he should not regret that he didn’t buy this or that. He should be able to do everything in one machine!” — Syed Hafeez
Having been known worldwide for its manual and handheld cutting room solutions like the straight knife Blue Streak II, the company registered equal success in the newly launched automated cutting and spreading solutions at GTE 2014. Eastman introduced their new model of multi-purpose fabric spreading machine ES-1800W and ES-1800F equipped with end-cutter with bushless motor which extends life of machine with least wear and tear and optional static eliminator to eliminate friction while spreading. It can spread in two forms, i.e. face up and face-to-face with maximum fabric widths of 72 cm and load capacity of 180 kg with help of drive cloth bar with dual extension which helps in regulating fabric tension.
Informing about benefits of installing this machine, Hafeez explained, “We do not want the customer to suffer because of different fabric types and roll sizes, so we decided to introduce a single machine which can spread multiple fabrics. When he buys from Eastman, he should not regret that he didn’t buy this or that. He should be able to do everything in one machine!” This machine was sold out to Vinita Synthetics Fashion at GTE, and is already installed at KLIX Jeans, Killer and Shahi Exports, the machine even has software which can alter the fabric tension according to the fabric type. The machine also has photo sensors which prevent any accident by detecting danger the moment an operator places his hand inside the machine.
Compared to the other machines in the market, this machine has been competitively priced with low maintenance charges. Hafeez asserted that the ROI period is 2½ to 3 months with wastage produced in the machine to be as low as 1% as opposed 4-5% when done manually. The machine enables super lower position for material loading in order to save labour with enhanced structure which makes machine reliable. The advanced end cutter design ensures fabric end cutting with quality and uniformity. A timing belt and encoder system present in the machine helps in maintaining accurate spreading length.
Eastman agrees that the time in which it has entered this market, the competition is very high and there is actually an over supply. Hafeez concluded that, “Success became certain for them due to the ‘legend type’ brand name of Eastman as people who like Eastman also went for their automated solutions.”
