Industry upbeat

Texfair 2017 in Coimbatore ended on an optimistic note with the textile industry looking forward to a happier 2018.

With more than 50,000 small, medium and large-scale industries and textile mills in an around Coimbatore and Tirupur, an event as big as Texfair, which focuses on textile machinery, accessories and spares, is a must for the Southern market of India. In its 11th edition, Texfair 2017, organised by the Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA), provided a platform for the stakeholder to zero in their investments and expenses prudently, showcase their inventions and cost effective items and other products, enable the technocrats and shopfloor technicians to update their knowledge on the latest technology and create an awareness on cost cutting, to encourage micro, small and medium entrepreneurs also to showcase their products and get exposure to the market. Texfair 2017 was held from November 17-20, 2017 at Codissia Trade Fair Complex, Coimbatore.

Inaugurating Texfair 2017 and Farm to Finish Expo, Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu, Chairman and Managing Director of Lakshmi Machine Works, said, “Textile industry should invest in technology, especially post spinning technology, to grow further.” He hailed SIMA, the event organiser, for rising to meet the needs of its members over the years. “The only solace is that textiles is still a growing industry, and as the industry grows, we have to understand the needs of the customer. With new fashion retailers coming into the world of textiles, challenges are aplenty for the mill sector to keep pace with the changes,” he said. Jayavarthanavelu said that the textile industry should work towards addressing the challenges that come with changing trends. Earlier, there were four fashion seasons a year and textile manufacturers had substantial lead time to convert fibre to garment. Now, it is said that some fashion brands launch two collections a month. So the lead time available reduces for the manufacturers. However, segments such as leisure wear, bed and bath, and industrial fabrics are growing, throwing open new opportunities. Textile manufacturers are hence of two categories – those who make commodity items and those who make speciality fabrics. The industries needs to invest in technology to capture the potential in the market.

Though the industry has been reeling under continuous recession due to demonetisation and GST, over 200 exhibitors participated with full enthusiasm and interest and made the event a grand success. Most of the exhibitors have show cased their new inventions which would enable the mills to conserve energy, improve quality, enable automation, online quality and production monitoring facilities, better ambient conditions, improving the working performance of the machine, producing value added products, low cost automation, etc.

Jayavarthanavelu also urged the industry to work together as there is a need for a comprehensive policy to grow in strength.

Ajay D Shah, President of Textile Machinery and Mill Stores Merchants Association, said the GST on textile spares was 18 per cent and the association has sought reduction of the rates.

Kaizar Z Mahuwala, President of Indian Textile Accessories and Machinery Manufacturers Association (ITAMMA), said 63 of its members are taking part in the exhibition. Indian textile machinery market is expected to grow at 12 per cent. “We have the entire range of machinery and accessories for textile sector,” he said.

P Nataraj, Chairman of SIMA, said while the apparel exports grew during the first six months of this financial year, it dropped in October. The Government will have to revise the duty drawback and ROSL rates.

The industry should upgrade technology to achieve exponential growth in exports. He advised the manufacturers to adopt cost-effective manufacturing methods and emphasised the need for maintaining consistency in quality and delivery schedule. “Focus on value addition, vertical integration, consolidation and branding,” he said.

K Vinayakam, Deputy Chairman of SIMA, said that Texfair is an event for textile machinery, spares and accessories, and is organised by the user industry. Many SMEs that took part in the fair initially have grown now. This year, the expo has 250 exhibitors and 300 stalls. “We expect one lakh visitors from different states and even abroad,” he said.