Indian textile machinery sector has stagnated in R&D: TMMA AGM

The Textile Machinery Manufacturers’ Association (India) (TMMA), Mumbai, organised its 57th Annual General Meeting on September 22, 2017 at Four Seasons Hotel, Mumbai. Dr SM Istiaque, Director, IIT, New Delhi was the chief guest for the event. R Rajendran, Chairman, TMMA, delivered the speech during the AGM. He mentioned the steps and initiatives taken by the association to transform the textile engineering industry. He said, “functioning of the Government has been changed over the period of last four to five years so much so that it is for the industry now to take the full advantage of the schemes of the Government.”

During the year 2016-17 under review, India’s macro-economic stability continues to be the foundation of economic success. CPI inflation declined from 6 per cent in July 2016 to 3.4 per cent in December 2016 and is expected to remain within RBI’s mandated range of 2 per cent to 6 per cent. Favourable price developments reflect prudent macro-economic management, resulting in higher agricultural production, especially in pulses. India’s current account deficit declined from about 1 per cent of GDP last year to 0.3 per cent of GDP in the first half of 2016-17. FDI increased from Rs 1,07,000 crore in the first half of last year to Rs 1,45,000 crore in the first half of 2016-17. This marks an increase by 36 per cent, despite 5 per cent reduction in global FDI inflows. Foreign exchange reserves have reached $361 billion as on January 20, 2017, which represents a comfortable cover for about 12 months of imports.

TMMA projects

Development of high-tech shuttleless loom: TMMA had proposed for development of high-speed high-tech shuttleless rapier loom of international standard through a consortium of five Indian manufacturers of shuttleless loom with technical guidance and support from the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI), Benfaluru under PPP mode. The consortium had registered a section eight company known as TMM Hi-Tech Research and Development Foundation (TMMC).

A tripartite agreement was signed among CMTI, TMMA, and TMMC in presence of DHI.

CEFC: The Association had been striving hard to set up a Common Engineering Facility Centre (CEFC) at Surat under PPP Mode. TMMA joined hands with Surat Engineering Vikas Association (SEVA) a premier association of engineering industries in Surat; and ‘Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Education Society’ (SVPES) an engineering college for establishing a CEFC at Bardoli in Surat under the aegis of DHI. The proposed CEFC aims to address the technological gap due to lack of awareness on advanced textiles technology, technology obsolescence, poor infrastructure, lack of skilled workforce, need for standardisation of components and processes, harmonise different segments and components, and improve global competitiveness.

CGSC: The Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Department of Heavy Industry together with FICCI had launched a Capital Goods Sector Skill Council (CGSC) under the aegis of National Skill Development Council (NSDC), New Delhi for quality education and skill development in the Capital Goods Sector in the country. Chairman, TMMA is representing TEI on the governing council of CGSC.

TMMA awards winner list

• Apex Award Winner: Kirloskar Toyota Textile Machinery
• Segment Export Awards for machinery sector: Kusters Calico Machinery
• Segment Export Awards for parts & accessories sector: Rieter India
• Segment Export Awards for textile testing, monitoring & controlling instruments sector: Premier Evolvics
• Special Export Awards for spinning machinery sector: Truetzschler India
• Special Export Awards for weaving machinery sector: Peass Industrial
• Special Export Awards for processing machinery sector: Dhall Enterprises
• Special Export Awards for parts and accessories sector: Lakshmi Card Clothing
• Special Export Awards for small scale sector (Textiles): Palod Himson Machines

R&D Awards

• InspirOn Engineering for development of “SprintOn Uniflo Stenter Machine”
• Lakshmi Machine Works for development of “SPEED FRAME LF4200 A”
• Premier Evolvics Pvt Ltd for development of “Ultimo SpinBike”

New office-bearers for 2017-18

Mehul Trivedi, Chairman

Mehul Trivedi, Director, The Indian Card Clothing Co Ltd (ICC), Pune and CEO of the parent Company, which owns ICC, Multi Act Industrial Enterprises Ltd, has been elected as the Chairman. He has been the Member of its Executive Council since 2007-2008.

Vallabh S Thumar, First Vice-Chairman

Vallabh S Thumar, Chairman of Alidhra Weavetech Pvt Ltd, Surat, has been elected as the First Vice-Chairman. He has been the Member of its Executive Council since 2008-2009.

Pratik Bachkaniwala, Second Vice-Chairman

Pratik Bachkaniwala, Director of Palod Himson Machines Pvt Ltd, Surat, has been elected as the Second Vice-Chairman. He has been the Member of its Executive Council since 2009-2010.

Prashant Mangukia, Honorary Treasurer

Prashant Mangukia, Director, Yamuna Machine Works Ltd, Vapi has been elected as the Honorary Treasurer. He has been the Member of its Executive Council since 2011-2012.