High priority push for processing vital

Processing is considered a weak link within the Indian textile industry. But for K·sters, it is its forte. K·sters Calico Machinery Private Limited, one of the leaders in textile processing machines, has been [successfully] serving the textile industry globally for over 17 years. At K·sters, innovation is a mission, and this vision has continuously added value to its products. The company, a regular participant at all international exhibitions, is also participating at ITMA Asia ? 2014 in Shanghai this June. Visit their stall at Hall E 6, Booth A 05, SNIEC.

In an email interaction with The Indian Textile Journal, K·sters Manager of Marketing Saurabh Sinha speaks on how India is faring in terms of processing and other future strategies of the company in India.

Samuel Joseph (SJ): For K·sters Calico Machinery, which is less than a decade old, what do you think are the achievements since its inception?
Saurabh Sinha (SS): K·sters Calico has been there for 17 years now and have been able to supply the most efficient machines to an array of textile companies in India and zoomed ahead of others in exports. Most importantly, the brand K·sters has lived up to its expectations in wet finishing machines.

SJ: In this field, what are the main products/technologies that your company offers? What are their USPs?
SS: We offer singeing machines, continuous bleaching range, continuous mercerising range, cold pad batch dyeing machine, continuous pad steam dyeing, continuous washing range including print washing range.

All these machines had been developed by K·sters Germany and we continue to follow the legacy of technical know-how and best manufacturing practices. Our S-Roll remains one of the most recognised innovations. Our service response beats any competition. All the components are from world renowned vendors like Siemens, ABB, Festo, etc.

SJ: In terms of exports, how is K·sters faring? What are its major breakthroughs?
SS: Our positioning Affordable Excellence has seen tremendous surge over last few years. For the last three years, we have been awarded for highest award in our segment by the Textile Machinery Manufacturers Association. Recently, we also received export award from EEPC India.

SJ: What are the future plans in terms of investment, expansion & addition of portfolios for your company?
SS: K·sters Calico is closely monitoring the markets in India and worldwide and would definitely decide upon expansion as it would deem fit to do so.

SJ: Processing is considered a weak link within Indian textile industry. How do you think India has been faring in this field?
SS: Processing in India has a two-pronged problem; one is that there exists many small processors who are using local cheap assembled machines, which are power guzzlers and consumes a lot of water. They are not aware of the cost benefit of proper wet finishing machines, which prove to be cheaper and cleaner options. Moreover stringent effluent norms could sound death-knell to them. Hence proper representation and consultation is required. This would put processing in the right map and frame of Indian textile industry as it traverses up the value chain.

The other problem is that the importance of value creation is still not understood, which means, processing, is not viewed in proper context and not given due importance as what is given to spinning and weaving.

SJ: With sustainability issues coming to the fore, what is your wish-list for the Indian textile industry?
SS: The government needs to first of all give more incentives for setting ETPs. There should be extra benefit is s