Coimbatore: The Powerhouse of Indian Textile Industry
Home to a large number of textile units, Coimbatore has emerged as a manufacturing hub of Tamil Nadu. Here, Rakesh Rao explains the evolution of Coimbatore’s textile manufacturing ecosystem and its importance for the bright future of Indian textile industry.
Coimbatore, often called the “Manchester of South India”, has a rich legacy as the birthplace of India’s textile industry. The city’s pivotal role in shaping the nation’s textile ecosystem is inextricably linked to its early entrepreneurial spirit, strategic location, and favorable climate. As India pivots towards manmade fibers (MMF) and technical textiles, Coimbatore’s legacy continues to evolve, positioning it as the cornerstone of India’s modern textile industry.
The genesis of a textile powerhouse
The textile story of Coimbatore began in the 19th century, when the city’s natural environment—moderate temperatures and humidity—became an ideal setting for cotton spinning. The region’s fertile soil and abundant cotton cultivation attracted the early interest of British settlers, who established some of the first mechanised textile mills here. “Coimbatore, often referred to as the ‘Manchester of South India,’ has played a seminal role in the development of India’s textile industry,” says Dr K Selvaraju, Secretary General, Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA). “Historically, it was a major cotton-growing region, which attracted early British interest in establishing spinning mills.”
The advent of steam and hydroelectric power further fueled industrial growth, making Coimbatore an attractive location for large-scale textile mills. Sir Robert Stanes’ Stanes Mills, established in 1888, marked the beginning of industrialisation in the city. The combination of favourable weather, abundant resources, and cutting-edge technology helped Coimbatore carve out a reputation for producing premium-quality yarns, particularly superfine yarns, which distinguished it from other regions in India.
By the mid-20th century, Coimbatore had become a hub for textile production. The region’s strategic location, combined with its developing industrial base, allowed the textile industry to flourish. In the 1930s, the founding of Southern India Mills’ Association played a key role in shaping the industry. “SIMA was established not only to represent the interests of mills in policy advocacy but also to safeguard the welfare of workers. It pioneered progressive labour agreements, such as an eight-hour workday and safety measures for women workers, well before these were made national law,” explains Dr Selvaraju.
SIMA’s proactive approach to industrial relations and worker welfare set Coimbatore apart from other industrial hubs in India, building a legacy of social responsibility that would shape the region’s future.
A self-sustaining textile and machinery hub
Coimbatore’s textile dominance is closely tied to its machinery manufacturing capabilities. The city is home to Lakshmi Machine Works (LMW), which is the leading player in spinning machinery sector, helping the region to mushroom into a booming hub for textile machinery and accessories. As Dr Selvarajunotes, “Coimbatore is home to Lakshmi Machine Works, which holds over 80 per centof the domestic market share in spinning machinery manufacturing. Additionally, 70-75 per cent of all spinning accessories and components used across India are produced by Coimbatore’s MSME sector.”
This synergy between textile production and machinery manufacturing has created a self-sustaining ecosystem. Coimbatore has become a globally competitive center for textile machinery and accessories, enabling the city to innovate and adapt swiftly to changing market demands.
“Coimbatore, along with Erode and Tiruppur, has built a world-class textile ecosystem,” says S Harishankar, Joint Managing Director, Lakshmi Card Clothing. “The region is home to over 5 million spindles, making it a critical spinning hub.” The city’s robust manufacturing base is supported by a well-established engineering sector, with companies like LMW, Lakshmi Ring Travellers, and Lakshmi Card Clothing playing a central role. The synergy between machinery and textile production enables faster innovation, supply chain integration, and reduced lead times.
Coimbatore’s leadership in textile machinery is also evident in its development of cutting-edge technologies. As J M Balaji, Vice President, Lakshmi Ring Travellers, observes, “Coimbatore has evolved into a global capital for textile machinery and accessories—particularly in spinning. The city has become a self-sustaining cluster for textile engineering.” The city’s manufacturing and R&D environment provides a platform for companies to collaborate, experiment, and grow efficiently.
Despite its growth, Coimbatore faces several challenges that could hinder its progress. “The competition for skilled labour is intensifying across sectors. We now employ workers from other states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to bridge this gap,” says J M Balaji. As the region’s textile industry evolves, it faces growing pressure to find workers with the necessary skills to operate advanced machinery.
Additionally, N S Rajan, Managing Partner, SRE Corporation, highlights the difficulty of expanding in Coimbatore due to rising land prices and limited infrastructure. “Unlike Surat or Ichalkaranji, where land and infrastructure are more affordable, Coimbatore faces challenges in expansion,” he notes.
However, Coimbatore’s entrepreneurial spirit remains undeterred. “Coimbatore has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, especially in textiles and engineering,” says Rajan. “Despite rising challenges, the region continues to thrive as an industrial base.”
Shifting to manmade fibres and technical textiles
As India faces growing competition from other countries, particularly in cotton-based spinning, there has been a marked shift toward manmade fibres (MMF)andtechnical textiles. “With commodity cotton-based spinning facing stiff competition from other states and countries, SIMA has been actively encouraging mills to diversify into MMF and technical textiles,” says Dr Selvaraju.
MMF and technical textiles represent a new frontier for Coimbatore’s textile industry. Companies are actively working to cater to this shift. C Dhandayuthapani, Managing Director, MAG Solvics, shares, “Several mills that previously focused exclusively on cotton have now diversified into MMF. This transformation is supported by knowledge partnerships and government initiatives promoting technical textiles and synthetic alternatives.”
The potential for technical textiles—especially in healthcare, filtration, automotive, and geotextiles—is immense. As S Harishankar notes, “Technical textiles are seeing a steady rise, especially post-COVID. The pandemic highlighted the need for application-based textiles, such as protective clothing and medical textiles. This segment offers immense potential for value addition and import substitution.”
The government’s push for MMF and technical textilesaligns with the industry’s ongoing transition. The MMF market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, with Tiruppur targeting a shift of 20-25 percent of its production to MMF-based apparel. Coimbatore is well-positioned to lead this shift due to its existing infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities.
Coimbatore’s future as a global textile hub
Looking ahead, Coimbatore’s future as a textile hub is bright. “The state’s power policies and integration of wind and solar energy make it an attractive destination for industrial expansion,” says Dr Selvaraju. “Furthermore, the PM-MITRA Park in Virudhunagar will enhance end-to-end integration in the textile value chain, attracting large-scale investment and fostering innovation.”
The Western Tamil Nadu textile belt, which includes Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, and Karur, accounts for a significant portion of the state’s manufacturing capacity. “This region houses about 60-70 per cent of the state’s textile manufacturing, creating natural synergies between different clusters,” says Dr Selvaraju. As these clusters continue to grow and evolve, Coimbatore remains poised to maintain its leadership position in India’s textile sector.
Coimbatore’s journey from a small cotton-spinning town to a global textile powerhouse is a testament to the resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit that defines the region. The city’s unique blend of natural resources, skilled labour, and cutting-edge technology has made it an indispensable part of India’s textile sector. As the industry shifts towards MMF and technical textiles, Coimbatore stands ready to embrace new opportunities and continue its legacy of leadership.
“Coimbatore has been the lifeblood of India’s textile industry,” says Dr Selvaraju. “And with the ongoing shift towards MMF and technical textiles, it is well-positioned to play a pivotal role in India’s future growth.”
Box
| Fact Sheet Over 7.5 million spindles and 250,000 rotorsin Coimbatore and nearby regionsCoimbatore is home to a thriving ecosystem of textile machinery manufacturers, component suppliers, and service providers70–75%of all spinning accessories and components used in India are produced in CoimbatoreThe city offers a unique advantage in faster innovation cycles, improved supply chain integration, and reduced lead times for textile machinery development |
