Among the oldest sewing technology solution providers for the apparel, leather and home textiles industries, Turel Group marked its presence strongly at GTE 2016. Viraf Turel, Managing Director, Turel Group identifies that the Indian apparel industry today stands at a critical point. While the export market-oriented manufacturers need to respond to rising costs and labour shortage, the domestic market is looking at improving quality and productivity for growth. “These manufacturers have distinct requirements and it is important that they are catered to,” shares Viraf. Furthering E.H. Turel’s agenda of facilitating world class production, the booth featured a wide range of choices from Vibemac, TYPICAL, Naomoto and Maier, to astute interventions like auto thread trimmers from China-based Bella Sewing Machine and automats for finishing and pressing from the Chinese company Weishi.
On display was TYPICAL’s latest model GC 6150D series of high speed direct-drive lockstitch sewing machine, which has been redesigned based on the feedback from Indian customers, for the Indian market. The machines in the GC 6150D series have 4-row feed dog, Teflon-coated two-piece needle bar, a single switch for stitch inching, LED light, aluminium oil pump, head mounted bobbin winder, and user-friendly 4-button panel for machine speed and needle positioning. To improve the user friendliness, the machine has been redesigned with an eco-friendly motor which is connected to the main shaft by four screws for easy maintenance. “Alongside the GC 6150MD , TYPICAL is now also focusing on the emerging market in Kolkata and Chennai for its heavy-duty machines,” shares Gao Bo, Assistant GM & Sales Manager, TYPICAL.
Vibemac, the Italian jeans sewing automation frontrunner was represented at the event by Veeru Maknur, Office Manager – VBM India. Exhibited at the show was its bestselling belt loop setter 4650EV9. The machine is equipped with a new user-friendly 7″ coloured touchscreen panel, a double compensatory presser foot, new loop aligner system, new loop cutting device, new electronic and an auto-diagnostic system to avoid errors. The exhibit was very well received for its features like preview of new patterns visible on the screen, error history reporting, possibility to work without the touchscreen panel in case of breakdown, and a thread blowing device to facilitate the needle threading.
The Guangdong-based company Bella is known for its automatic thread trimmers. Its bestselling models in the country include T322C – a brushless fixed style thread trimmer machine. Not only does it automatically trim but also collects waste. “It is a small investment but it reaps rich dividends as it improves productivity, reduces waste and is extremely easy to operate,” shares David Zhang, Sales Manager, Bella Sewing Machine. Developed especially for knitwear, the trimmer is equipped with a long lasting and easy to maintain ceramic blade and titanium-coated steel blade. The company also offers retrofit direct-drive motors and vacuum waste collection systems for overlock machines. “We work closely with our dealers E.H. Turel and I come often to India to get more feedback on our products so that we can make an old machine as good as the latest with small retrofits,” adds David who is certain that India is an important market for the company.
Neil Wu from Weishi notes that today India is becoming open and friendly to automation solutions as it is maturing and battling scarce expensive labour. “To ease out any reservations against automation, we even provide machines for a trial to the factories so that they see the differences for themselves,” shares Neil. The machine maker has established its niche for automation in finishing room. One of its bestselling machines in the Indian market includes AZT-C65 – a sleeve final pressing machine. The 3D-pressing machine comes with a carousel mode with two stations which results in improved on-standard time for the operator. It also has an auto sleeve expanding system, which can adjust automatically according to the sleeve size.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
