Our focus is on automation: MD of Indo Texnology

At Indo Texnology, we focus on automation and monitoring, which is our tagline too, says Thirupathi S, Managing Director, Indo Texnology Pvt Ltd, during an interaction with Sripathy B the ITJ. The company believes that while the plant and machinery may be body, the soul and mind are the system and process automation tools for a manufacturing enterprise. System and process automation when integrated to the operation yields a significantly positive impact on the business and all its stakeholders: management, employees, customers and vendors.

“We have been able to conceive new solutions from scratch, which are more suitable for textile mills in India and other textile manufacturing countries in Asia. These include low-wage countries and not developed countries like the US and the UK,” added the Managing Director.

Complete range of automated solutions

Speaking on the wide array of solutions offered by Indo Texnology, Thirupathi said, “The company was founded eight years ago. Since then, we have been offering a complete range of automation solutions. Initially, we started with automatic baling; when there was no other automatic baling system existed in India. After that, we ventured into fully automatic bobbin colour sorting system. After our business grew, then we forayed into fully automatic cone packing system and then into spindle monitoring system. We also have a full-fledged textile ERP suite for management of textile mills.

“Our advantage is that we have a good macro perspective and a deep understanding of the functioning of a textile mill. We have a wide exposure of the practices followed in developed countries. With this experience and knowledge, we are able to put multiple technologies and apply them as automation tools for the textile industry. We are offering the complete range, which are exactly tailormade for countries like India, Indonesia, Bangladesh and China. The current versions are third and fourth generation equipment. I don’t think any other company focuses on automation. We at Indo Texnology understand the textile process, quality/cost matrix, organisational behaviour and the adaptability of technologies. We have the capability to conceive, design and implement appropriate and cost effective automation solutions that are critical to today’s needs.”

“These products are required for new projects as well as existing mills”, he added.

Indo Texnology focuses on automation for the textile industry. Within automation, there are two categories: process automation and system automation. “When we say automation, is not just about minimising human dependence on repetitive functions and reducing the head count, but also includes other aspects such as avoiding errors, saving cost, enhancing quality and enable correct and speedy management decisions and improving safety. All of these aspects could be desired from automation, he adds.

In process automation, the company offers BALEXpress, which is an automatic baling system; SORTLINK, an automatic cop-sorting system for winding; and AUTO CONE-PACK, an automatic cone packing system.

In system automation, Indo Texnology offers spinnova, an online monitoring system for spinning; and TexManage, an ERP solution.

“We go to the customers with the mindset of a consultant, and understand their constraints and suggest them the most appropriate solution. We work out their plan. Manpower availability, training and retention are the biggest and universal problems everywhere. We are addressing this problem.

We are also improving our solutions even further. We are able to reach our customers with more reliable and stable product with much more confidence. Customers also have more references to take opinions from. So the process is more fluent,” added Thirupathi.

First-of-its-kind products

SORTLINK is a fully automatic bobbing sorting for existing auto winders. He adds, “We were the first to conceive and launch this product, and we are awaiting the patent for this. All mills that do not have link-coners can use SORTLINK and save significantly number of workers. In a sense, it helps fulfill the share of the linking function.” The complete process of cop sorting is automated, avoiding manpower and possible errors.Potential to save 9 to 12 people per day, for a 25,000 spindle mill (30s/40s Nec) with eight to nine automatic winders.

AUTO-CONE PACK is a fully automated cone packing system, and it is the first-of-its-kind in India. Such systems from abroad have been prohibitively expensive. He adds: “At Indo Texnology, we have not only bought it within the reach, but this process also manages without requiring special quality of packing material and hence does at the usual packing material cost. Auto-Cone Pack also incorporates features specially required by Indian mills such us weight control, integrated information to mills IT system, etc.”

Spinnova helps improve operational efficiency and can save up to 70 per cent of workers walking time. These systems can payback within less than a year. The company also offers TexManage, a textile specific ERP system.

Stronger domestic market

Within India, Indo Texnology has its market all over. One can find the company’s solution in large companies like Vardhman, Arvind, Nitin Spinners, RSWM, Weslpun, Mahima in North and GHCL, Shanmugavel group, Bannariamman, SCM and scores of small and medium ones in South India. Speaking on the export market, he adds, “We have exported to in Indonesia and Bangladesh.

“In automatic baling, we have more than 300 systems working, while in automatic bobbin, we have more than 500 systems working. In automatic cone packing, we have around 10 installations, whereas in spindle monitoring, we have a few lakhs of spindle working. In ERP, we have around 42 installations”, adds Thirupathi.

Budget, GST and its implications

Budget has allocated Rs 2,164 crore for emission of State Levies (RoSL) as against Rs 1,855 crore allotted last year for the exports of garments and made-ups. He adds, “Some say that there is not really much for the textile industry. However, I think that there are no big negative or positive surprises. People were expecting some major announcement, but they were letdown. But I think the budget was just fine.”

Speaking on GST and its implications, Indo Texnology’s Managing Director adds, “I think GST is transforming and will continue to transform the textile industry. In textiles, some of the segments are much organised while some are not. People, who were opposing GST, have understood that there is no other option and now they are falling in line. This will change the nature of industry. Of course, GST has given some advantage to the organised, large scale segment, but it does not mean that small industries will vanish. People [now] are more transparent. Consolidation will happen, but it will take time.”

Future plans

He concludes, “As we have conceived new automation solutions five years ago, we are looking forward to more in the medium term and also more product variants in our existing lines to suit various specific applications of our customers worldwide.”

For further information: Indo Texnology Private Limited 1-B Irugur Road, Ondipudur Coimbatore -641016 Tel: 0422 2270366 Web: www.indotexnology.com