Electronic Jacquard adoption is growing rapidly in India: N S Rajan

In this interview with Rakesh Rao, N S Rajan, Managing Partner of SRE Corporation (ESSR Electronic Jacquard Manufacturing), explores the electronic Jacquard market and how the company is helping India’s small and medium weaving units transition from mechanical to electronic systems.

Electronic Jacquard technology is redefining the future of high-value textile weaving, enabling greater design flexibility, automation, and fabric precision. SRE Corporation, through its brand ESSR Electronic Jacquard Manufacturing, has emerged as one of the few Indian manufacturers delivering indigenous solutions for the industry. In this interview with Rakesh Rao, N S Rajan, Managing Partner of SRE Corporation (ESSR Electronic Jacquard Manufacturing), explores the electronic Jacquard market and how the company is helping India’s small and medium weaving units transition from mechanical to electronic systems.

Please tell us about the journey of SRE Corporation and ESSR Electronic Jacquard Manufacturing.

SRE Corporation was established in 2004, founded on my background in mechanical engineering and my early work in the textile weaving sector. Initially, we focused on trading spare parts for rapier looms and automated weaving systems, sourcing components from China and manufacturing others locally. Over time, we gained extensive experience and saw a significant gap in the domestic market for electronic Jacquard systems.

This led to the launch of our second venture, ESSR Electronic Jacquard Manufacturing, focused on developing paperless electronic Jacquard systems. Based in Tamil Nadu, the company has since supplied over 5,000 units within a decade, serving the Indian market and exporting to countries such as Egypt, Turkey, and the West Indies.

Our product range now includes handloom, power loom, rapier loom Jacquards, as well as specialised solutions for carpet and coir weaving applications. We are among the few in India offering Jacquard models from 400 hooks to 6,144 hooks, leveraging the latest technology.

Coimbatore is traditionally known for spinning. Why did you choose to focus on weaving and Jacquard technology?

The spinning sector is dominated by large players, leaving limited space for newcomers. Rather than compete in an established segment, we focused on the emerging shuttleless weaving market, which began gaining momentum around the year 2000. At that time, there was a shortage of qualified technicians, spare parts, and machinery for modern weaving. We seized the opportunity to cater to small and mid-sized players, who could not afford large-scale machinery but required reliable technology to upgrade.

How do you see the market evolving for electronic Jacquards in India and overseas?

Jacquard weaving is a premium segment globally. While India has traditionally focused on sarees—especially in the southern states—the demand is now diversifying into products like towels, bed sheets, wall hangings, upholstery, and carpets. These high-end, value-added fabrics are well-suited for Jacquard technology.

Carpet weaving, though limited by India’s climate, is a large global market. Northern India is emerging as a strong player, and globally, countries in Europe dominate the high-tech carpet Jacquard space. While most customers are unaware that such advanced Jacquard systems are available from Indian manufacturers, we are gradually building that awareness. We have also developed retrofit solutions to convert mechanical Jacquards into electronic ones, allowing greater accessibility for small and medium enterprises.

What differentiates ESSR’s offering in a competitive and evolving market?

We prioritise quality, long-term performance, and customer support. While there are many entrants in the Indian Jacquard market, not all can offer the same reliability. We provide two years of post-sales service at no additional cost and are committed to building durable, technologically advanced solutions that match international standards.

In fact, the mechanical Jacquard industry is declining rapidly and may vanish entirely in India within the next five years. As a result, electronic Jacquard adoption is growing rapidly. We aim to fill the gap left by imports and provide a reliable, indigenous alternative with long-term support.

Do you see industry support from associations or government policy?

While we are still considered a mid-sized player, and thus receive limited direct support, the government has introduced beneficial policies and subsidies. However, challenges remain—particularly in competing with Chinese imports, which dominate the sector through cost and aggressive bundling with loom manufacturers.

Unlike some large foreign players who lock in exclusive deals with loom manufacturers, we focus on smaller and medium-sized customers. We believe in providing them with flexible options, reliable technology, and long-term support—an area where we see continued demand and growth potential.

Has the QCO (Quality Control Order) made a difference in curbing imports?

While the QCO is a step in the right direction, its implementation remains slow. Domestic manufacturing standards are yet to reach the sophistication and scale of Chinese counterparts. Many Indian manufacturers focus solely on limited markets, such as Surat or Coimbatore, instead of thinking globally. This narrow focus hinders growth and makes it difficult to scale.

The future, however, is promising. With better awareness, policy support, and industry-wide efforts to improve product quality, Indian companies—like ours—can eventually challenge global players.

What is your outlook for the weaving and Jacquard sector in India over the next five years?

The transition from mechanical to electronic Jacquards is well underway. Currently, only about 20 per cent of looms have made the shift, and it will take at least another five years for widespread adoption. However, with increasing awareness, government subsidies, and the need for precision in premium fabrics, this shift is inevitable.

India needs to expand beyond traditional applications like sarees. Globally, Jacquards are used in carbon fibre, automotive textiles, wallpapers, and high-end furnishings. European manufacturers charge Rs 90 lakh to Rs 1 crore for a Jacquard system for carpets. We can deliver comparable systems for one-fifth of the cost, provided we are given the visibility and platform to showcase our technology.

How do you view Coimbatore’s future as a manufacturing hub?

Coimbatore has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, especially in textiles and engineering. However, rising land prices and limited industrial expansion have slowed down the growth of new manufacturing units. Unlike regions like Surat or Ichalkaranji, where land and infrastructure are more affordable, Coimbatore faces challenges in expansion.

Moreover, labour availability has become a significant issue. A large portion of the local workforce is educated and prefers white-collar jobs, making it difficult to find skilled workers for factory operations. We now employ workers from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal to bridge this gap. Unless this mindset changes and entrepreneurship is encouraged from a young age, the region’s manufacturing potential may plateau.

What is your vision for the company’s future?

We began this business with an initial investment of just Rs 5 lakh. Today, we employ over 50 people and are gradually expanding our reach. While export markets have slowed slightly in recent years due to external factors, we expect demand to rebound. In the next few years, we aim to capture a larger share of the Indian Jacquard market, especially as more looms convert from mechanical to electronic systems.

Our goal is not just to grow revenue but to build sustainable, quality-driven products that elevate India’s standing in the global textile machinery market.