Amoli Shah:  Greater investment in R&D and a stronger focus on quality are essential

Prashant Group, established in 1975, is one of India’s prominent and fast growing textile machine manufacturing companies. The Group has co-operations with leading European and American textile machine manufacturing companies which bring an edge in updated technology and enhancement in product profile. Amoli Shah, Director, Prashant Group of Industries, outlines the current state of the textile machinery industry and assesses how Indian machines measure up against global standards.

How would you describe the current state of the Indian textile machinery industry?

At present, Indian textile machinery industry is around $7-8 billion industry. Its steady growth is driven by both domestic and export demand. Indian textile machinery is strong in spinning and weaving preparatory machinery but we are still dependent on imports for high tech shuttle less looms. Future growth of this sector will depend on adaptability of automation and sustainable solutions.  Technical textile is one of the fastest growing field in this area.

What are the biggest challenges your company and the broader machinery sector are currently facing?

Geo political situation has affected Indian textile industry.  Especially US tariff has affected many big corporates, who were highly dependent on US market. This has indirectly affected textile machinery manufacturer also. Due to this, broader machinery sector is facing  reduced demand from textile mills (domestic & abroad) as exporters cut back or postpone investment in new production lines due to uncertainty and squeezed margins. Increased input costs of electronic components which if imported, get costlier with currency fluctuations and any import duties.

How competitive are Indian-made textile machines compared to global standards in terms of technology, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness?

Prashant Group exports to more than 50 countries across Europe, North America, Central and South America, Turkey, Russia, Africa, and Southeast Asia. In the field of weaving preparatory machines, Prashant Group stands out by offering technology and efficiency that match global standards, while remaining more cost-effective than many European alternatives. Guided by the motto of delivering world-class technology at the right price, the company continues to set benchmarks in the industry. However, for India’s textile machinery sector as a whole, greater investment in R&D and a stronger focus on quality are essential to enhance global competitiveness.

How is sustainability being integrated into textile machinery design and manufacturing in your company?

Sustainability is rapidly becoming the driving force in the global textile industry, and Prashant Group has placed it at the heart of its innovation. Traditional Indigo dyeing methods consume excessive water, chemicals, and energy, but our breakthrough Nitro Technology by Prashant Group offers a smarter alternative. By reducing water usage by nearly 50 percent, cutting chemical consumption by 15–20 per cent, and achieving around 20 per cent energy savings, it not only lowers environmental impact but also enhances efficiency and enables the production of richer indigo shades.

For fiberglass applications, Prashant Group has pioneered the Intelligent Direct Warper and Creel System, which eliminates the need for sizing and de-sizing. Unlike conventional methods that compromise fibre properties, generate chemical effluents, and add to production costs, our solution allows direct beam preparation while preserving insulation characteristics. This innovation reduces wastewater, simplifies operations, and lowers capital investment, offering mills a truly sustainable and cost-effective alternative.

Our commitment extends beyond products to our own operations, where we harness rooftop solar power to generate clean energy and reduce our carbon footprint. Through such initiatives, Prashant Group continues to redefine textile manufacturing with solutions that combine sustainability, productivity, and global competitiveness.

What steps has your company taken towards automation, and how has it impacted production and efficiency?

Prashant Group is at the forefront of delivering Industry 4.0 smart machines that bring advanced automation to weaving departments, helping mills achieve higher efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.

Among the most significant innovations is the fully robotic sectional warping machine, equipped with an advanced robotic leasing system. By automating the complete leasing function, this machine dramatically reduces warping time, boosts productivity by up to 50 per cent, reduces labour and optimises floor utilisation with a space saving of nearly 35 per cent.

In beam handling, Prashant Group has introduced battery-operated beam trolleys with fast-charging lithium batteries. These trolleys are designed to lift heavy beams effortlessly, provide smooth maneuvering, and drastically reduce loom downtime, ensuring uninterrupted weaving operations. To further streamline mill logistics, the company also offers comprehensive automation solutions for beam handling and storage systems, improving workflow efficiency and reducing dependency on manual processes.

Beyond warping and beam handling, Prashant Group extends automation to fabric inspection and finishing lines. Its integrated systems for automated inspection, packing, weighing, sorting, and conveying bring consistency, accuracy, and speed, while minimising human intervention. This holistic approach ensures not only better quality control but also significant savings in labour and operational costs.

By combining advanced technology, intelligent design, and sustainable practices, Prashant Group continues to set new benchmarks in weaving preparation and automation. The focus remains on delivering solutions that empower textile manufacturers to stay competitive in a global market that demands both productivity and eco-friendly operations.

Could you share some of the key innovations or technological advancements your company has recently introduced?

Prashant Group continues to progress through its key innovations, driving efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness in the textile industry. In recent years, the Group has introduced Split Sectional warping machine for mother yarn. This machine is offering higher speed and better yarn tension control with higher productivity.

Other innovations include Intelligent Direct warper for fibre glass. Patented yarn tensioners with precision control of ±2 gm, specially designed for Denim and man-mad fibres. Heavy duty tensioners for fiberglass and technical fibres. Through these advancements, Prashant Group reaffirms its position as a leader in sustainable textile machinery innovation.

Looking ahead, what opportunities and growth areas do you foresee for Indian textile machinery manufacturers in the domestic and global markets?

Future growth will particularly lie in areas such as smart automation, sustainable dyeing and finishing technologies, technical textiles machinery, and integrated digital solutions for productivity and quality management. With continuous innovation and global collaboration, Indian textile machinery manufacturers are well-placed to strengthen their presence worldwide and contribute to the industry’s sustainable transformation.