1st co-op cotton mill in Gujarat!

It is the first enterprise of its kind, set up in a matter of 14 months! And it is Gujarat’s first cooperative cotton spinning plant, and will be a jewel in the crown of Surat!

On June 1, 2017, Surat Vankar Sahkari Sangh Limited inaugurated Gujarat’s first cotton yarn spinning plant in the cooperative sector at Dinod village in the tribal-dominated Mangrol taluka.

Supported by the Gujarat Government, this state-of-the-art spinning plant was set up at a cost of Rs 140 crore on a 17 acre land in the tribal-dominated Mangrol taluka. The plant has around 30,000 spindles producing around 17 tonnes of cotton yarn on daily basis.

With the commercial production having already started in April this year, the mill has exported around nine containers of yarn to Pakistan, China and Indonesia. The manufacturing of cotton fabric is on the rise in Surat and surrounding areas. Most of the Surat Vankar Sahkari Sanghour members are manufacturing cotton fabric, the new plant is expected to supply the cotton yarn at economical rates to these members and the rest will be exported.

The plant is expected to be a boon to the cotton park set-up at Mangrol and will tap the ever growing demand of cotton yarn in India and abroad. of President Surat Vankar Sahkari Sangh Limited, Rajnikant Bachkaniwala, speaking to the Indian Textile Journal in an exclusive chat, said: “Gujarat and Surat of late have forayed strongly into cotton yarn and fabric manufacturing and processing. Good quality yarn will always be in demand.”

How and when was the project for the first spinning plant in coop sector in Gujarat initiated and when was it completed? What is the total project cost?

There was an existing cooperative spinning mill in Surat which had to shut shop some 35 years ago. Since then no spinning mill in cooperative sector ever came up. However Vankar Sahakari Sangh Ltd (VSSL), taking advantage of the 2012 Gujarat Textile policy, conceptualised this project in August 2015. In a short span of of 14 months, it was duly commissioned and production started in first week of April 2017.

What is the capacity of the plant? What are the counts? What is its present production and what are the break-ups for domestic consumption and exports?

Vankar spinning mill has a capacity of 30,000 spindles with a provision to expand to 60,000 spindles. It will produce 20’s to 40’s combed compact yarn. Presently the mill is producing 30’s KW and 32’s CCH. Average domestic sales would be 60 per cent of the rated capacity.

Please tell us something about the technology and machinery used in the mill? What is the investment cost in technology and machinery?

Vankar spinners has invested in the state-of-the-art latest technology from world’s leading plant and machinery suppliers. Blowroom and cards from Truetzschler, preparatory and ring frames from Rieter, draw frames from Zinser, winders from Murata and humidification plant from Luwa. Besides this, it has state-of-the-art testing facilities from Uster and Mag. Total equipment investment is Rs 80 crore.

Being set up in a tribal area, what is the employment policy? What is the current strength of employees?

Current total employees are 170. About 30 per cent are local tribal boys and girls. Rest are trained skilled workforce from various locations. About 50 per cent are women employees. Labour quarters and canteen facilities ares provided to all employees.

We understand that the spinning mill is a part of a textile park. What are the other capacities of the integrated textile mill of the Surat Vankar Sahkari Sangh Limited?

This Vankar Textile Park would have 20 units. Two are spinning units, out of which one is now operational. Ten units of weaving, five knitting units and three garmenting units would be set up. All the infrastructure like CC roads, drainage, water distribution, fire fighting, street lights etc. are already in place.

What fresh scope that the spinning mills has brought to textile industry in Surat and surrounding areas and also other areas of Gujarat?

Gujarat and Surat [of late] have forayed strongly into cotton yarn and fabric manufacturing and processing. Good quality yarn will always be in demand.

Share with us your experience and observations of Gujarat emerging as a bigger power in textiles, particularly in spinning and weaving.

Gujarat has always been a leader in textile manufacturing. Textile policy of the Gujarat Government is very conducive to investment in textiles. Power scenario is excellent in Gujarat. Ready domestic and export market has encouraged entrepreneurs to invest in Gujarat.