KnitWorld, held in Ludhiana recently saw 12,000 visitors explore the latest technology on display by 70 exhibitors. As a growing centre for knitting, garmenting and various types of printing, the demand for circular and knitting machines was huge; also there was good business for sewing, embroidery and printing machines. The exhibition also highlighted the fact that the domestic manufacturers are now well aware about good quality machinery and products.
Many exhibitors launched new machines with newer functions. Surinder Jain, MD, R.N. Oswal Hosiery was seen looking at the technicalities of the machines at various stalls. “My first preference is towards machines that offer better productivity and help us in cost cutting. This is the reason why I am looking at every machine minutely,” he said. IIGM’s Assistant Sales Manager Satyadev Goyal was very happy at the response that he received. “With the response that we are getting in Ludhiana, I foresee that in the next two-three years a large number of garment manufacturers in the city will extensively use Gerber’s CAD Systems,” he said.
There are great expectations from the Ludhiana market as many garment manufacturers; both small and big, are slated to put up a factory in the region soon. Industry sources indicate that while Anil Jain of R.K. Sales is going to launch a garment unit in Ludhiana within the next two months, Abhishek Vij of K.R. Knitting Works is working towards expanding its already existent garment unit in Ludhiana.
Ludhiana-based T Khanna & Company, provider of K Knit, China’s, circular knitting and double jersey circular machine rob interlock machines, received a good response even though the company didn’t display their machines. According to Udayan Khanna of T.Khanna & Co, their Single Jersey 4 Tracks Circular Knitting Machine’s band and gear system is very popular because the machine is less noisy and sturdier than other competitive machines.
Manufacturers of computerized widening knitting machine and computerized flat knitting machine, Ludhiana-based Elex International claims to be the first one to introduce power flat knitting machines in Ludhiana. Earlier, according to Gurdev Singh, Elex International had transformed the semi computerized machines to fully computerized and at present are working on the machine that will shape the sleeves. Elex’s sought after models were G-211, G-212 and P-100 which received good response.
Focus Garment Tech that is intensifying its reach in Indian market displayed its Nisho Electric Steam iron NH-101A, which claims to conserve electricity in comparison to three face boilers. It is a compact and light weight iron. Focus also showcased chamberless full steam irons. These irons have inlets and outlets for steam which is always in circulation through the iron. Furthermore, Focus also presented its full range of interlock sewing machines from Shing Ling sewing machine company from Taiwan. The company presented its 4 needle 6 thread flat seaming machine, designed for stretchable fabric. “We received enquiries and after the show we will visit the customer’s factory to see their requirements. Since, the machine is assembled in Taiwan we can control the manufacturing cost. We also accept small orders, even 2-3 machines and can arrange them quickly. The customer also understands that compared to Chinese machines our machines are better in terms of quality and pricing. Customers in Ludhiana have given us good response,” said Leo Yang, Sales Executive, Shing Ling Sewing Machine.
Reetech International of Ludhiana displayed the German company, STOLL’s 340 TCL Multi Gauge Flat Knitting Machine, for which they also received a good response. “Since, it’s a German machine it has high durability and productivity. Chinese machines give a warranty of 1 year but we give a warranty of a lifetime,”averred Pankaj Kalra from Reetech International.
Negi Sign and System saw a large audience at their stall during the four-day exhibition. The company which has been in existence from past 14 years has its focus on meeting needs of the established digital printers, screen printers, sign makers and other new entrants to digital printing market. The company displayed its Valuejet series and among the reactive printers in the series Valuejet 1618 was displayed which can print with upto 8 colours.
Moreover, Viper series was also showcased. “Sublimation will be the main focus in the Ludhiana market. Earlier people were not doing printing in the city but now they are aware about the potential of this field. We have a few prime customers here which will act as a trend setter for the market. We have sold 3 of the machines in the fair,” said Vijay Kandhari, Marketing Head, Negi Sign and System.
Also displaying printing techniques was Dhaval Colour Chem (DCC), which had on show its carousel screen printing machine Sportsman E series. The machine requires less space and only 3 people to operate it. The company has already installed a total of 5 machines in Ludhiana to 3 different companies. “Surprisingly, small printers have started looking into this for the first time. This is the most important development for us. Seeing this we have lot of responsibility to perform because if we make them perform, both will be successful.” reasoned Narendra Dadia, MD, DCC.
Paramount Instruments displayed its projection microscope Digivision with LCD display and software interface and Cutmaster a unique swatch cutter. “Ludhiana market is a price-conscious market. The cutter is very economic and that’s why we are getting a lot of enquiries from people here. This cutter has already been sold to Rainbow denim, Lalru”, says CEO, Manjeet Singh Saini from Paramount Instruments. The company also showcased its unique colour matching booth SpectraLux as well as machines from its seven pearl series.
Rajasthan International received a lot of queries from the visitors at their stall. “Though people look forward to Chinese products there is also a demand for Italian products like ours. We received queries from Cerliani, Juki and Brother spare parts and orders from some printing units for Palette adhesives.” says Rahul Chhikara, Marketing Manager, Rajasthan International.
Jap Stretch launched a warp knitting machine with 120 feeder at the fair. Gurjeet Nayyar, GM, Marketing, Jap Stretch claims that there is no other company in India which is manufacturing these zippers. In the meanwhile, RTC Zippers of Delhi added new customers to its list. “Domestic manufacturers are also producing quality products as per EU standards. We, in order to produce quality zippers, are importing the raw material from Taiwan and Korea,” said Pawan Jain, CEO, RTC Zippers of the company, he added that more than 50 orders were in the pipeline due to fair.
Aura Technologies/Vision Tech that displayed the semi automatic Heat Press Machine which is used to transfer stickers and for which the company holds world patent was one of the busiest stall at the fair. Dreams Metallic Yarn of Surat, which showcased a wide variety of yarns, saw huge demand for 2 tonne and 3 tonne metallic yarns.
