The first-ever edition of the Garments Machinery Manufacturers & Suppliers Association (GMMSA) Expo, Ludhiana proved a fruitful event for most exhibitors as well as visitors. Almost 100 companies from across the world displayed their latest machines and many of them were displaying in the city for the first time. The past two winter seasons that were reduced to hardly a few weeks, have badly impacted the winterwear manufacturing business in Ludhiana and led to stockpiling, particularly for those doing woollen garments. In these changing conditions, experts suggest that in order to survive, manufacturers must focus now on products that can be worn in warmer/less winter conditions as well, instead of only concentrating on woollen or hardcore winterwear garments like jackets, sweater, etc. that has been the identity of the hub for a long time.
Apart from reducing winters, manufacturers in the Ludhiana region are also facing late payment issues, which have lowered the spirits of these manufacturers even further. Companies that are manufacturing for local brands are doing well, as they have production plans well in advance. Consequently, many people have shifted their production capacities to such brands. On the other hand, those that are working only in the wholesale segment are feeling the heat as tight payment cycle is a big issue for them. Over-production is another issue in some product categories and since buying a Chinese machine requires less investment, more and more people at the lower level are adding few machines every year leading, to excess capacity building.
Offering jackets and tweed coats, Ankit of Wool Grace Knitfab, is now planning to start summerwear as well, while also exploring machines for them. He too believes that there is not much growth in winterwear. A few firms are focusing on overall improvements, rather than expanding, like manufacturing 700 pieces per day of various knitted items. RS Prince Knitwears is adding customers from such far off ‘unchartered’ states, offering more and new designs, also tightening price by reducing margins and limiting its production rather than stockpiling. According to Hunny Gumber of the firm, “One does not have any other option. He has to take all possible steps to survive in the market.”
Despite the pall of gloom that has descended on the Ludhiana woollen business, a few companies in the city are expanding and venturing into new terrains with an aim to upgrading their business. Some have taken to changing their strategy, improving technology as well as their product offerings. One such company is Kirti Collection, which has a capacity of more than 5,000 pieces per day in kidswear and is now planning to add CAD in its manufacturing unit. It is also working to sell its products online. “Whatever be the season, if we have to grow, we must do something new. And since online is a growing area, we are looking to get in to the same,” said Gaurav Arora of the company.
Companies offering T-shirts are still doing reasonably good business. Davinder Pal of Deejay Knitwear, which is currently working with 85 stitching machines, will soon add 85 more to double its production capacity. “We believe in in-house production. So rather than outsourcing or getting the products done from job-workers, we will install more machines in our factory,” reasons Davinder from the company. Robin Jain, Director of Isha Jain Knitwears was impressed with the advanced models of stitching machines at the fair and is willing to install the same.
Deepak Oswal, Director of a 40 year-old HM Cotsyn, having capacity of supplying 2 tonnes per day of knitted fabric pan-India, started garmenting one year ago and is manufacturing 500 tees per day. “Business is okay but payments are getting delayed. There is no dearth of work but cash flow is the major issue. Cotton Lycra and basic items in PC and cotton are more in demand nowadays,” shared Deepak, who liked jacquard, auto striper machines and is planning to buy the same soon. It was encouraging to know that few new companies are trying to enter into the garment industry despite all these difficulties. One such company, Aman International, currently into auto parts export is planning to start T-shirt manufacturing as it has received enquiries for the same. “We have experience in exporting various countries and understand how that works, now we have to understand garmenting and hopefully we will start the business in the near future,” said Aman Bansal, Managing Partner of the company.
Displays that impressed…
Many technology suppliers had machines or new models which attracted the visitors like Steiger, Switzerland, which displayed its latest flat-knitting machine, Antares 3.130, with motorized Popup Feeders. It was introduced in India for the first time. The technology is beneficial in pleating fabric. Representing the company in India, Gurpreet Singh MD, K.P. Exim was happy with the response that the machine received. Narinder International also displayed for the first time its flat knitting machine (from Changshu Guoguang Machinery Co.) that can offer products of various gauges (7 to 16) by just changing its needle bed, enabling manufacturers to save a lot of money. Narinder Kumar, Proprietor of the company informed, “To support the industry we are doing our best to introduce new machines. This is a patent technology of a Chinese company and we are expecting at least 100 installations of this machine this year.” In circular knitting it was offering fully electronic jacquard machines. In another development the company displayed low-cost blanket manufacturing on circular knitting machines. Narinder International is getting good business from Panipat.
Manufacturing on semi-computerized flat knitting machines is a growing trend in Ludhiana and companies are moving forward in this direction. Harish Daffu of Omex Mechanical Works/Omex International shared, “Our advanced models which we launched recently are manufactured in our own unit and are similar to the ones made in Taiwan; we have already sold 22 machines of the same. We are also in the process to develop 2/3 machines that are found in China at our own new unit in Ludhiana, and within next three months we will commence manufacturing.”
Hitech International, a sister concern of Jindal Precession Machinery, is in the process of setting up its first machinery production unit for making fully computerized flat-knitting machines in India. The unit, which is being set up with an investment of Rs. 25 crore, is expected to produce its first batch of machines within the next few months. Jogesh Jindal, Director of the company informed, “We are into selling high-technology CNC machines from Germany. We have well-trained engineers and technical tie-ups in China; our software is also from China, but our engineering is better than China. So machine-making is not a difficult thing. Our strengths will make it possible for us to offer machines at comparatively less price (by at least 30 per cent) than China. I have seen many factories in China for flat knitting machines, but only one or two have good plants.” He further adds, “We are using Japanese and German technologies to make our flat-knitting machines. We are advising users that they should work only on fully computerized flat-knit machines rather than power flat or such other models. As far as export of our machines is concerned, Bangladesh is a big market for us. Our quality will be one of the major reasons of our success.”
Dhaval Colour Chem displayed its digital printing machines covering wide range from sublimation to heat transfer, etc. The company got good response for its roll-to-roll printer of Monti Antonio (75), It also displayed various models of Epson, including the latest launches – Epson 6270 (44 inches, the entrant model) and Epson F 9270 which is a dual hand printer with the speed of 45 sq. metres per hour. The company’s DGI FD 1904 (direct-to-fabric printing, 4 head printer with the speed of 80 sq. metres per hour) also attracted the visitors.
Grafica Flextronica, another company in the printing segment organized daily technical seminars on advanced DTG Screen Printing at the event and more than 150 people participated at these seminars. “People are aware of the machines but they are not focusing on screen making part. We are telling them how important screen making is and how to do it. Our awareness efforts will help them,” said Keyur Vashi, Sr. Sales Manager of the company, expecting good installation in Ludhiana in the coming months.
IIGM displayed a few machines for the first time in Ludhiana, like 4-needle 6-thread flat bed flat seamer of Yamato (VFK 2560-8) with active thread control. Yamato’s neck rib machine can produce 125 neck ribs in one hour. Similarly, in the Juki DDL-9000B series, as compared to conventional machines the remaining thread in UBT is very less; also its pneumatic folder for hemming at bottom gives very good result. Satyadev Goyal, VP, IIGM shared that the market for sports and outerwear is increasing, so there is good demand for such kinds of machines. IIGM also displayed Juki’s MF 3620 flat seamer which is a good option for the sports and outerwear.
Jack, which claims to be China’s No. 1 company in stitching machines technology, displayed its A4 model (computerized lockstitch automatic presser foot lifter) for the first time at this event. This machine also tells the operator by ‘speaking’ which keys are to be pressed for which operation and when the operation has to be initiated. It also has a USB port, which the operator can use to charge his cell phone or a small fan can be run on it for the ease of operator. Bill Chen, Sales Manager, South Asia Department, Jack informed that the company is further upgrading this models so it can guide the operator about its maintenance.
Accessory companies gain good business…
Needle companies are observing increasing demand of needles from unorganized segment of the local industry which is a good sign. The team of Groz-Beckert, a respected name in the needle as well as knitting machines manufacturing parts, was busy interacting with visitors. Vishal Nayaar, Knitting Machine Parts, Branch Office In-charge, Ludhiana was of the opinion, “Despite all the challenges, the industry in Ludhiana is moving forward; growing awareness of technology and changing conditions in China are the positive reasons for the hope of good business.”
Vipin Sehgal, Director, Alpex Exports representing Samsung Knitting Needles said, “Some of the traders in needles are not concerned for the quality, so users belonging to even unorganized markets are coming back to us as they do believe in quality and our products are of good quality and value for money.” He also added, “Good or bad season is a part of the fashion industry and I feel that most of the firms are doing satisfactorily. Yes, profitability is getting low as competition is growing, so manufacturers have to change their perception and business will be sustainable only at very reasonable margins.”
Ram Krishan, Administrator, GMMSA claimed that the event was a big success. “Our exhibitors are very happy with the response. We have got the permission to hold this exhibition over a larger area in the future. So we expect that henceforth, this event will be held on a much bigger scale,” he said.
Sachin Garg of SD International offering needles for circular knitting machines of Dongsin Knitting Needles Korea is also satisfied with the market. As a company offering needles from last four years, he observes growth in the market. “Being a Korean company our needles are of better quality, and when it comes to price level, we are far econimical than the other well-known brands. We are satisfied with the market as there is reasonably good demand,” he said.
Among the few accessories firms in the event, NC Traders – displaying buttons, tags, metal accessories and other such imported products from China, received a good response. “We directly import from China and there is no agent or any other layer involved in the entire sourcing process. In this way we are more cost-effective too. We can offer customized designs too,” said Parmod Arora, who is into the textile business for the last 15 years. As of now, the company is getting good demand of high density stickers as it is easy to use and takes less time. Nikhil Arora who initiated this business handles the China and Hong Kong offices of the firm.
