The recently concluded edition of GTE Bangalore, held every alternate year, was an opportunity for the garment industry in the south to review latest offerings from technology providers from around the world. Even though the export market is going through one of its worst slowdowns, teams from most of the leading export houses were seen at the show interacting with the technologists. Some exhibitors were disappointed that owners stayed away from the event, but others felt that GTE has grown to be a technology platform for sharing of ideas from being just a buying-selling exhibition, so the relevance of the fair is far greater for the users of technology than for decision makers to buy technology.
Indeed, the discussions at the stalls and in the corridors were much beyond the technology on display, ranging from sharing experiences, finding solutions to expressing anxiety about the current state of the industry, Tirupur in particular. Many industry watchers were concerned that the financial crunch brought on by continued market weakness has severely crippled the Tirupur industry which was already limping from the impact of the processing house closures last year. Big names from the region are allegedly in trouble and the discussions revolved around the number of companies on the verge of closure due to the impact of high borrowing rate and reducing order numbers.
Most of the exporters who visited the fair were interested in solutions to optimize operations and reduce dependency on labour. No wonder, more than the technology suppliers, it was companies presenting IT solutions to improve visibility in the manufacturing process for improving efficiency and productivity like real time data collection systems and cut order planning software that were in demand. In this area, a number of indigenous real time data collection systems for the shop floor like Inspire and Pro-con were present at the fair, and seemed no less than any international competitor. Shahi, Bombay Rayon Fashions, Scott Garments, Gokaldas Exports, SKNL, Radhamani, Cotton Blossom were some of the prominent exporters that visited the event.
With the export segment holding back on investment, most of the technology providers were looking forward to the presence of major domestic players and they did not disappoint. Teams from big brands like Madura, Raymond and Arvind were seen at the fair. These are the companies that are still looking at expansions. Even small domestic players are looking at investment as they are upgrading their factories. Whereas the exporters were seeking ‘solutions’, domestic players were looking more at better machines with multi-purpose operations and value adding machines. “In the last 18 months we have received orders mostly from domestic players due to which we have registered steady growth over the year,” said Sanjay Mehta, MD, Sunny Sales, Kolkata, who was showcasing brands like Baihui, Maqi, KM, Kaisiman, Unisun, Uzu, Brother and Juki.
Automation was on display at many stalls. “Automation is the key for survival in today’s time. The focus of a manufacturer should be to invest in automated machinery, right from the cutting room to the finishing floor to increase efficiency, productivity and quality. There are different types of market players with different requirements. But it is vital to identify and understand your needs before making that investment,” said Viraf Turel, MD, E.H. Turel & Co. The most sought-after machines at the booth were Loop setters from Vibemac, X-feed machines from Typical and the Automated pocket welting machine from A.S.S. (Automated Sewing Systems).
Representing brands like Juki, GSD, Gerber, Eton, Barudan, Eastman, Yamato, Rotondi to name a few, Pavan Kapoor, MD, IIGM also emphasized that work aids and automation equipment are actually the way forward for apparel manufacturers but added, “if you automate yourselves too much, the system would become rigid to accommodate any kind of change. Being responsible technology providers, it’s not about what we can provide, but what do you actually need.”
The launch of an advanced communication system using IT-NNS (New Network System) by SunStar was one of the major attractions at the GTE, justifying its “Think outside the box” motto. NNS a Smart Production Management System (SDMS) can be applied to all production and manufacturing systems by which the entire manufacturing process can be done in a more efficient and innovative manner by implementing communication channels between the brand buyer, the factory and the machine suppliers. “SDMS (SunStar Design and Manufacturing System) will change the paradigm of the stitch industry with its new platform,” said Cruise Kim the new Managing Director of SunStar’s India Office.
The Italian manufacturer of cutting, spreading, plotter, CAD & CAM software and other similar technologies, Morgan Technica showcased the Fox 50 spreader at the fair, claiming that it was five years ahead of the present spreading technologies. “Morgan has been doing extremely well in the Indian market. At a time when the industry was not ready to accept advance technologies, due to the slowdown, people have actually realized the significant gains in terms of the productivity and fabric saving from these advanced technologies,” averred Anandakumar D, MD, G. A. Morgan Dynamics – the Asian representative of Morgan Technica.
In the accessory segment, embroidery thread was the most common product and for many of them, the product was a first-time participation in any exhibition in Bangalore, as they were very keen to increase their market share in the region. Saffron Met Yarn, Surat had prepared ten new shades for Bangalore in which 1-10 denier BCH color, 95 Denier LG color were the main attractions. Ashwini Chawla, Director, Saffron Met Yarn was happy with the response at the exhibition. “We are experts in Jari and due to use of latest machinery and high quality yarn we are able to give threads with zero breakage to our customers. We got few good clients here who are willing to pay for good quality,” he said.
Another player in embroidery-related accessories under the brand name Gem, Rapos (Thailand) Co. Ltd. was represented by his Indian agent. The company has more than 400 colours in polyester and 62 in metallic yarns. “We had a talk here at the show with companies like Arvind and Bharat Silk, and are expecting good business from Bangalore,” said Yash Agarwal, Export Overseas Manager.
One of the oldest players of Bangalore, Surya Super Threads was also present at the GTE. “Due to our consistent quality there is no impact of slowdown on our business. In fact, we are expanding with our new factory. We use optimum length technology that gives strength to our threads,” says Sunil Dalwani, MD, Surya Super Threads. Producing mainly viscose and polyester threads, the company will start metallic yarn also in the new factory.
Apart from embroidery yarn, some other companies that got good response include A-one Beads Centre from Delhi. “Garment manufacturers are working directly with us for their customized needs and after Delhi, Bangalore and Tirupur are the thrust regions for us,” informed Deepak Kumar representing the company. The company produces pearl beads, imitation wooden beads and its products are compatible to PERC tests, as required by buyers.
Associated with an American company Sprayway India has recently launched its TPR brand spray that is not only very low in price but is very good in quality also. Vasant Bhat, Country Manager, Sprayway India shares, “Big export houses like Gokaldas and Shahi visited us and we are enhancing the reach of our products by making them more cost-effective. We are associated with IIGM also for one of our products.” The company provides almost two dozen kinds of sprays like adhesives, aerosol chemicals and lubricants.
Riddhi Siddhi Lace House, Tirupur, the manufacturers and importers of laces displayed many kinds of laces and the stall was visited by many of their regular customers. Mahender Tomar, MD, Riddhi Siddhi Lace House informed, “Business in Tirupur is badly affected, so we are looking for other markets and are hopeful about the Bangalore market too,” he said. The company has recently enhanced its capacity by 20 per cent.
Few companies got visitors from outside Bangalore also, and Yash Enterprises, Delhi is one of them. Providing bra cups, shoulder pads, etc. this company got visitors from Kerala and Tamil Nadu. “Even domestic players are now taking interest in quality products and price is not a big concern for them while they seek quality products,” said Atul Kathuria, Director, Yash Enterprises. Very soon, the company is starting water punch interlinings that are used mainly in car seat covers.
The organizers were very happy at the response. “Not only Bangalore, but the whole of South India is a big manufacturing hub and it has a lot of potential to grow. Organizing GTE here biennially has proved a right strategy and we will continue it in future also. This time, though the size of the exhibition was little small, all big companies were present and they got good visitors response. Even few new machine companies took part for the first time and displayed their products. No doubt the market sentiments are down, but all big companies were represented and we saw decision makers on all three days in deep discussion with machine companies,” concludes, Ricky Sahni, MD, GTE.
