textile machinery - Textile Magazine

Contents
6 Editorial
textile machinery
8 Global textile machinery market may reach
$23 billion by 2017
corporate news
16 Grasim reports improved performance
36 Arvind aims to be Rs. 8,000-cr revenue by 2015
48 Abhishek Gupta takes over as MD of Trident Ltd.
50 Savio-Trident long-standing partnership
58 Siyaram’s to invest Rs. 160 cr for capacity expansion
83 RSWM’s marketing office opened at Ichalkaranji
74 Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn third quarter net up by 41%
75 Bhaskar Denim forays into northern market
22
14
Aditya Birla Nuvo
acquires major stake
in Pantaloons
Global
Textile
Alliance
forays into India
by setting up
mattress ticking
plant at Tirupur
circular knitting
22 Global Textile Alliance forays into India
by setting up mattress ticking plant at Tirupur
dyeing & processing
38 Thies’ 120 years of technology leadership
in textile finishing
achievement
44 Habasit Iakoka Silver Jubilee celebrated
18
Toyota Industries
Group all set to realise
Vision 2020
2 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

Contents
32
28
German team’s strategic
thrust on energy
efficiency, cost cutting
Texcoms’ commanding presence in
pre-owned textile machinery
52 Savio develops new energy-efficient TFO
54 Genkinger-HUBTEX’ transportation solutions
56 SGS sustainability drive ensures cost reduction
60 AB Industries to launch OHTCs in India
62 SEL Group goes live with Datatex - ERP
66 Trützschler’s new machines for Asian market
72 A.T.E. ties up with Zimmer Austria
76 Dhall Group emerges global player in
textile processing & finishing machinery
79 Forbo belts enhance product quality, machine life
84 Tavex installs Montex 6500 stenter
86 Millmark Associates’ growing presence
in spinning conversions
88 indo-Intertex 2012
96 Govt. bid for collection of accurate data on
cotton output, supply
97 USDA predicts fall in India’s 2012-13
cotton production
100 Willy Grob’s latest systems for weaving
machines & fabrics
104 events
108 appointment
68
Welspun India registers
26% growth in revenue
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4 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

THE
TEXTILE MAGAZINE
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Mentor
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Edited & Published by R. Natarajan on behalf
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The views presented herein are those of the authors. They
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All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part
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Need to end cotton policy uncertainties
R. Natarajan,
Managing Editor & Publisher
The announcement of a draft legislation
framed by the Centre for setting up a system
to collect accurate data on cotton production,
crop yield, domestic consumption, stocks with
stakeholders of the textile industry and on the
surplus cotton available for export has not come
a day too soon. The legislation, if enacted, will
go a long way in ending the nagging uncertainties
gripping the cotton economy and the textile
sector caused mainly by the different estimates
of cotton crop and consumption made by the
Textile and Agriculture Ministries as well as
by other related agencies. More often than not,
the Textile Ministry is caught in a dilemma, not
knowing how to effectively handle cotton distribution
in the absence of accurate statistical details on production and consumption.
For instance, the ban imposed on cotton export last year on fears of
domestic shortages despite record output lasted only a week. Now, the Textiles
Minister, Mr. Anand Sharma, has gone a step further by stating that the Government
has decided on removal of suspension of cotton export registrations
and allowing further export in the marketing year ending 2011-12.
The Government’s erratic and unpredictable cotton and yarn policy was
again to blame for the plight of both cotton growers and spinning mills all over
the country last year. The sudden mid-year allotment of 10 lakh bales of cotton
for export, in addition to the exportable surplus of 55 lakh bales, and the decision
to impose a ceiling of 720 million kg of yarn had had their adverse impact.
In the first case, international traders with huge resources who had bought cotton
earlier at throwaway prices and sold them at exorbitantly high prices were
the main beneficiaries and not the growers. In the second, the suspension of
yarn exports, which was of course lifted later, led to heavy losses to thousands
of spinning mills, burdened as they were with growing unsold stocks. They are
yet to recover from the crisis, as well reflected in their mounting debts, and
unless a debt restructuring is announced immediately, their very survival is at
stake.
It may be noted that the restructured Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme
(TUFS), introduced last year, would not merely be in operation in 2012-13 but
would be extended to the 12th Five-Year Plan on the recommendation of the
Government. Meanwhile, textile exports at $34 billion exceeded the target of
$33 billion fixed for 2011-12, thanks to India’s entry into new markets such as
Latin America, Africa and Asian countries. In this emerging scenario, a clearcut
cotton and yarn policy, if successfully worked out, would help in intensifying
the industry’s modernisation and export drive.
6 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

textile machinery
Global Industry Analysts,
Inc. (GIA) has stated that
the global market for textile
machinery is projected to
reach $22.9 billion by 2017.
Major factors driving growth
in the textile machinery
market include economic
recovery post recession,
rising demand for nonwoven
disposable textile products,
increasing demand from
emerging regions, especially
Asia-Pacific, and rising
demand for environmentallyfriendly
fibers.
New equipment purchases remain
the key growth driver to the market,
which in turn is dependent upon
the economic cycles. The market
continues to witness a shift from
conventional machinery that requires
availability of cheap labor to
more sophisticated machinery that
enables quality enhancements to the
final product.
Price, flexibility and versatility
comprise the determining factors for
new equipment purchases. As such,
the market is witnessing emergence
of more efficient machines, at
competitive prices, thanks to rapid
technological advances in the textile
machinery industry. End-users
are increasingly seeking complete
automation solutions with enhanced
flexibility that can be availed at reasonable
costs. As the textile machinery
is used for manufacturing home
carpets and upholstery for furniture
and automobiles, changing fashion
trends in these markets affect
demand for textile equipment.
Following a period of favorable
conditions for investment, the
textile industry awakened to one of
the toughest economic downturns
in 2008, which impacted the overall
rate of growth resulting in decline
of both imports and exports of
textile machinery. The challenging
market conditions led to production
cutbacks, workforce downsizing,
and postponement of proposed
investments. All major textile
machinery exporting countries,
including Germany, Italy, Japan,
China and Switzerland, experienced
export declines. Though there was
an increase in demand for premium
fabrics globally, demand for textile
machinery used in production of
these fabrics did not increase proportionately.
The industry witnessed a strong
resurgence in demand in 2010 that
cooled off eventually by mid-2011
following the disruption in economic
growth as a fallout of the sovereign
debt crisis in Europe. Demand
in the EU continues to remain weak
as the economic uncertainty continues
to hinder investments in the
textile industry sector.
Further, spinning mills continue to
face margin pressures due to volatil-
8 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

textile machinery
ity in prices of cotton and yarn. Against the
backdrop of frail domestic demand, European
companies are expected to seek opportunities
in major foreign markets, including Turkey,
China, India, Brazil and the US.
Asia-Pacific represents the largest and the
fastest growing regional market for textile
machinery worldwide, as stated by the new
market research report. Growth in the market is
projected to be driven by the fabric machinery
segment through the analysis period. Investment
in textile production witnessed a spurt in
Asia, particularly in China, India and Pakistan,
following the shift in manufacturing operations
of US and European companies to these locations
to accrue cost benefits.
China and India are poised to claim the
largest gains in clothing output and exports
in the immediate future. The gains could also
be at the expense of other lower income cloth
exporting regions such as Mexico, Bangladesh
and Mauritius. While production of clothing in
the US and the EU is slated to decline, it would
not be completely stopped. Market majors
in these regions are adopting ‘lean retailing’
practices such as elimination of warehousing
and inventory overheads through pre-planned
management of deliveries from manufacturers.
Development of EDI has enabled enhanced
production and shipment schedules with producers.
Manufacturers close to the retail distribution
centers are increasingly being given
the preferred supplier status as it cuts down the
delivery time significantly. China is poised to
bank on this trend, thanks to its extension of
EDI to include overseas players.
In the fiber-fabric machinery product category,
the spinning & twisting frames segment
is expected to report the fastest growth.
Global textile machinery
shipments at record high
in 2010 and 2011
After a sharp reduction in shipments of new
textile machinery in 2008 and 2009 as a result
of the global financial and economic crisis of
2008-2009, deliveries surged in 2010 and grew
even stronger in 2011, in most cases to record
highs. In comparison to 2010, global shipments
of new spinning machinery increased by 15
per cent (short-staple spindles), by 35 per cent
(long-staple spindles) and by 27 per cent (openend
rotors).
These are the main findings of the 34th
annual International Textile Machinery Shipment
Statistics (ITMSS) just released by the
International Textile Manufacturers Federation
(ITMF). The report covers six types of textile
machinery, namely, spinning, texturing, weaving,
large circular knitting, flat knitting and
finishing machinery. The 2011 survey has been
compiled in co-operation with some 118 global
textile machinery manufacturers.
Spinning
After shipments of new short-staple spindles
plummeted in 2008 (-33 per cent) and 2009
(-17 per cent), they rose in 2010 (+75 per cent)
to pre-crisis levels and increased in 2011 by a
further 15 per cent, reaching 14.33 million, an
all-time high. Almost 94 per cent of all shipped
short-staple spindles were destined for Asia
(13.46 million), with China alone absorbing
8.90 million or 62 per cent of global shipments,
followed by India as a distant second (2.49
million spindles or 17 per cent), Bangladesh
(639,000 or 4.5 per cent), Turkey (628,000 or
4.4 per cent) and Indonesia (517,000 or 3.6 per
cent).
Global shipments of long-staple (wool) spindles
soared in 2011 by 35 per cent to 113,250.
Europe was the main recipient (53,750 or 47
per cent), followed by Asia (49,000 or 43 per
cent), the Americas (8,750 or 7.7 per cent)
and Africa (2,000 or 1.8 per cent). The single
biggest investor in long-staple (wool) spindles
was Turkey (32,500), followed by China
(23,400), Iran (14,300), the UAE (9,000) and
Italy (8,800).
Investments in open-end rotors moved up in
2011 by 27 per cent to 572,250, a new record
high. Asia was once again by far the biggest
10 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

textile machinery
investor in this spinning technology installing
in total 463,250 new rotors or 81 per cent of
global shipments. China was by far the biggest
single investor in rotors absorbing 388,250
or 68 per cent of global shipments. India was
again a distant second with a total of 37,750
new open-end rotors (6.6 per cent), followed
by Turkey with 35,250 rotors (6.2 per cent),
Uzbekistan with 10,250 rotors (1.8 per cent),
Brazil with 30,250 rotors (5.3 per cent) and the
US with 12,250 rotors (2.1 per cent).
Texturing
Shipments of single heater draw-texturing
spindles (for polyamide filaments) fell from
13,200 in 2010 to 1,824 in 2011 (-86 per cent).
Only two countries, Taiwan, China (1,536) and
Vietnam (288) were installing new texturing
spindles of this type.
In double heater draw-texturing spindles (for
polyester filament) investments surged from
568,250 texturing spindles in 2010 to 826,500
in 2011, an increase of 45 per cent. This meant
also a new all-time high of newly shipped
double-heater draw-texturing spindles. By far
the biggest investor in this type of machinery
was China where 624,500 new spindles or 76
per cent of global shipments were installed,
followed by a distant second India with 90,000
or 11 per cent, Turkey with 20,000 or 2.4 per
cent, Japan with 19,750 or 2.4 per cent and
Taiwan with 7,500 or 0.9 per cent.
Weaving
Worldwide shipments of shuttle-less looms
continued soaring in 2011 to 153,750 machines,
an increase of 44 per cent from last
year’s record of 107,000. The main reason
behind this development is the surge in shipments
of water-jet looms. After a skyrocketing
jump of 537 per cent to 73,250 in 2010, which
was partially due to the fact that more weaving
machinery manufacturers reported for the first
time in 2010, global deliveries in this shuttleless
loom segment continued soaring by 54 per
cent to 113,000 machines in 2011.
In the shuttle-less loom segment of rapier/
projectile looms, shipments increased by 20 per
cent from 16,000 in 2010 to 19,250 in 2011.
Also deliveries of shuttle-less air-jet looms increased
from 17,750 in 2010 to 21,500 in 2011
(21 per cent). As in previous years the main
destination of shuttle-less looms was Asia,
where 148,500 or 96 per cent of all new shuttleless
looms were installed.
Country-wise the biggest global investor was
again China with 128,100 looms (83 per cent),
of which 106,000 were water-jet looms, 13,900
air-jet looms and 8,250 rapier/projectile looms.
With 9,100 looms (6 per cent) of global shipments,
India was the second biggest investor,
followed by Indonesia with 2,900 (1.9 per cent)
and Korea with 2,500 looms (1.6 per cent).
Circular & flat knitting
Global shipments of large circular knitting
machines decreased by 16 per cent from 34,500
in 2010 to 28,900 in 2011. Nevertheless, this
was still the third highest number of large circular
knitting machines ever shipped. Also in this
segment Asia was the main regional investor in
absorbing 26,400 machines or 91 per cent of all
machines shipped in 2011. The biggest single
investor was again China with a total of 21,200
machines (a global market share of 73 per cent),
followed by India with 1,500 machines (or 5.2
per cent), Bangladesh with 1,050 machines (or
3.6 per cent) and Turkey with 900 machines (or
3.1 per cent).
In electronic flat knitting machines, global
shipments in 2011 jumped by 37 per cent to
70,000 machines. The bulk of global shipments
of electronic flat knitting machines was
delivered to Asia (65,250 or 93 per cent), while
Europe’s (including Turkey) share reached 5.8
per cent (4,100 machines). The biggest single
investor in 2011 was again China, where
54,800 new machines (78 per cent) were
installed, followed by Bangladesh with 4,475
machines (6.4 per cent), Hong Kong with
2,930 machines (4.2 per cent), Turkey with
2,150 machines (3.1 per cent) and Italy with
1,120 machines (1.6 per cent). •
12 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

corporate news
Aditya Birla Nuvo acquires
major stake in Pantaloons
The Board of Directors
of Aditya Birla Nuvo Ltd.
(ABNL) has approved the
proposed acquisition of a
controlling stake in Future
Group’s Pantaloons Format
business post its demerger
from Pantaloons Retail
(India) Ltd. (PRIL).
Said Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla,
Chairman, ABNL: “The proposed
acquisition is in line with our strategic
intent to be on the top of the
league and to create the largest integrated
branded fashion player in the
country through an extension into
the value segment. This acquisition
will catapult ABNL to the pole position
in the branded fashion space
in all the segments with a pan-India
presence.”
“On completion of the acquisition,
the two entities, ABNL’s
Madura Fashion & Lifestyle and
PRIL, will work closely as partners
to derive operational synergies
in terms of back-end, supply
chain and many other important
value drivers of the
business. “We are delighted
to have Mr. Kishore Biyani
as our partner in the Pantaloons
Format business. Furthermore,
to ensure continuity,
the current management
team will continue to run the
Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, ABNL
“We are delighted to have Mr.
Kishore Biyani as our partner
in the Pantaloons Format
business. Furthermore, to
ensure continuity, the current
management team will continue
to run the business.”
– Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla
business,” added Mr. Birla.
With this acquisition, ABNL will
have multiple brands, store formats
and a complete range across all categories
– casual wear, ethnic wear,
formal wear, party wear and sports
wear for men, women and kids.
Both ABNL and PRIL have a
common shared vision of creating
value for its multiple stakeholders.
ABNL’s Madura Fashion & Lifestyle
put in an impressive performance
for 2011, with a revenue of
Rs. 2,145 crores. Its leading brands,
Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen
Solly, Peter England, People and
The Collective, span a retail space
of 1.6 million square feet across
the country. Pantaloons Format
business is spread over 2.05 million
square feet. Their combined
strength will be of great advantage
for all the stakeholders.
Here is how the transaction
will be executed:
PRIL will issue debentures
to ABNL worth Rs. 800 crores
on mutually agreed terms,
convertible in the equity shares
of the resulting entity, i.e., Pantaloons
Format business.
14 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

corporate news
PRIL will demerge its Pantaloons Format business
through a court scheme of arrangement. It will transfer
the net assets of its business, its apportioned debt of
Rs. 800 crores and debentures of Rs. 800 crores to the
resulting entity. After the demerger, the debentures will
be converted into equity shares of the resulting entity.
ABNL will make an open offer of a minimum 26 per
cent to the shareholders of the resulting entity. After
the listing of the resulting entity and on conversion of
debentures into equity, ABNL’s holding in the resulting
entity post-open offer shall be a minimum of 50.01 per
cent. The resulting entity will become a subsidiary of
ABNL.
The proposed transaction is likely to be completed
within 8 to 10 months, subject to the finalisation of the
Scheme of Arrangement, due diligence and statutory and
other requisite approvals.
Aditya Birla Nuvo is a $4 billion conglomerate. Over
the years, it has made successful ventures into sunrise
sectors like financial services (life insurance, asset
management, NBFC, private equity, broking, wealth
management and general insurance advisory), telecom,
fashion and lifestyle and IT-ITeS. Its focus on manufacturing
businesses has made it a leading player in agribusiness,
carbon black, insulators, rayon and textiles.
It is part of the Aditya Birla Group, a $35 billion
Indian multinational operating in 36 countries across the
globe with a workforce of 133,000 employees belonging
to 42 nationalities and deriving more than 60 per cent of
its revenue from its overseas operations.
•
Grasim reports
improved performance
Grasim Industries Ltd. of the Aditya Birla Group
has reported higher revenue and profit for the fourth
quarter ended March 31, 2012. Revenue was higher
by 17 per cent at Rs. 25,244 crores against Rs. 21,550
crores in the previous year. PBIDT for the year was
at Rs. 6,320 crores (Rs. 5,395 crores), reflecting a
growth of 17 per cent. Net profit increased by 16 per
cent from Rs. 2,279 crores to Rs. 2,647 crores.
Sales volumes for the quarter at 94,904 tonnes
increased by 11 per cent, led by higher exports. This
was despite the slowdown in the Eurozone, which
impacted textile demand and addition of new capacities
in China.
Average realisations for the quarter were lower
by 16 per cent on y-o-y basis as prices were at their
peak, in line with competing fibres’ prices in the corresponding
quarter of last year. Lower realisations,
coupled with increase in the prices of caustic soda and
coal, resulted in lower profitability. The impact of rising
caustic prices was offset by higher profitability of
chemical business.
The VSF (120,000 TPA) and chemical (182,500
TPA) greenfield projects at Vilayat in Gujarat and
brownfield expansion (36,500 TPA) of VSF at Harihar,
Karnataka, are progressing as scheduled. The
Vilayat project is slated for commissioning towards
the end of the current financial year, while the Harihar
project is expected to be commissioned in two phases
during the current year.
In VSF, stability in the Eurozone and macroeconomic
policies will influence demand. In cement,
despite 8 per cent projected growth in demand, the
surplus scenario is likely to continue for three years.
In the present context, rising energy costs pose a challenge
to both the businesses.
Capacity expansions under implementation in both
VSF and cement will provide additional volumes
leading to rapid growth and further consolidation of
market leadership.
•
16 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

corporate news
Toyota Industries Group
all set to realise Vision 2020
Strategic thrust on energy saving, ecology
In fiscal 2012 (ended March 31,
2012), the global economy began to
recover gradually as certain Asian
countries, especially China, witnessed
an economic recovery and the US appears
to have bottomed out. Despite the
aftermath of the effects of the Japanese
earthquake and the sharp appreciation
of the yen, the Japanese economy also
showed signs of an upturn due to such
factors as the stabilization of personnel
consumption and private sector capital
investment.
In this operating environment, Toyota
Industries Corporation and its group
companies took efforts to strengthen
the management platform by ensuring
customer trust through dedication to
quality as well as responding quickly
and flexibly to the recovery trend and expansion of
sales. In addition, Toyota Industries strove to minimize
the impact on production due to the earthquake
in Japan and the flooding in Thailand by carrying out
flexible shift operations.
As a result, total consolidated net sales amounted
to 1,543.3 billion yen, an increase of 63.5 billion yen,
or four per cent, from fiscal 2011 (ended March 31,
2011). Here is a review of operations for the major
business segments. Net sales of the textile machinery
segment totalled 38.5 billion yen, a decrease of 4.2
billion yen, or 10 per cent. This was due mainly to a
decrease in sales of air-jet looms in China. In February
2012, Toyota Industries purchased the shares of Uster
Technologies AG and made it into a subsidiary for the
Mr. Tetsuro Toyoda, President, Toyota Industries Group
purpose of strengthening the business segment.
In fiscal 2013, ending March 31, 2013, although
the global economy is projected to gradually recover,
uncertainties remain with regard to credit contraction,
further deterioration in the employment situation and
fluctuations in raw material prices such as crude oil, as
well as concerns about exchange rate fluctuations. The
operating environment in Japan is expected to remain
severe.
Toyota Industries forecasts consolidated net sales of
1,650 billion yen, operating income of 85 billion yen,
ordinary income of 93 billion yen and net income of 59
billion yen.
With reference to medium to long-term management
strategies, Toyota Industries will continue to undertake
18 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

corporate news
concerted efforts to strengthen its management
platform and raise corporate value. As immediate
tasks, it will also promote business and cost structure
reforms to realize a solid management platform
so that it can respond quickly to the changing
market needs. Specifically, it will maintain
a streamlined structure through the reduction of
fixed costs and enhance its business in established
markets in developed countries. In addition, it
will accelerate its business expansion into rapidly
growing emerging countries by thoroughly and
meticulously monitoring market conditions in respective
of regions and introducing products suited
to the characteristics and needs of each market.
Toyota Industries will also strive to establish
production and supply structures to realize optimum
product pricing and delivery, and to enhance
the value chain to provide a wide range of customer
services in each country and region.
Based on quality first, Toyota Industries regards
giving considerations to the environment and safety
as well as increasing its competitive strengths
to be important issues to tackle over the medium
to longterm. It will promote product development
and advanced technology development to offer
high value-added products that anticipate customer
needs.
In October 2011, Toyota Industries formulated
and announced the Vision 2020 and Medium-Term
Management Plan that articulate action items for the
next 10 years. In the Vision 2020, it aims to support
industries and social infrastructures around the world
by continuously supplying products and services that
anticipate customers’ needs in order to contribute to
engendering a compassionate society and enriching the
lives of people around the world.
To this end, it will pursue the development of environmentally
conscious, energy-saving products based
on the key words of the 3Es – “energy,” “environmental
protection” and “ecological thinking,” – while
incorporating functions and services demanded by
customers (value chain) and delivering them to the
global market. Acting on these measures, it aims for
growth in three business units, namely, “solutions” in
the areas of materials handing equipment, logistics and
textile machinery; “key components” in the fields of
car air-conditioning compressors and car electronics;
and “mobility” in the domains of vehicles and engines.
With regard to the Medium-Term Management Plan,
the group has formulated a specific four-year activity
plan for each business unit until fiscal 2016. The entire
group will make a concerted effort to realize the Vision
2020. It will strive to nurture people who take the
initiative to learn, think and act and who will enhance
the power of the workplace.
In addition to placing top priority on safety, Toyota
Industries thoroughly enforces compliance, including
observance of laws and regulations, and actively
participates in social contribution activities. Through
these and further measures, it aims to meet the trust
of society, raise corporate value and grow in harmony
with society.
•
20 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

circular knitting
Global Textile Alliance
forays into India by setting up
mattress ticking plant at Tirupur
By K. Gopalakrishnan
Mr. Stephen Fieux, Plant Manager, GTA
The US-based, Global Textile Alliance (GTA)
has entered the Indian market for manufacture
of quality knitted mattress ticking fabric. One of
the leading global suppliers of mattress ticking
with manufacturing facilities in Europe and North
America, GTA has set up its first Indian facility,
its third globally, at Tirupur at an investment of
Euro 1 million to manufacture high-end knitted
mattress ticking fabric catering to the needs of
Indian mattress manufacturers.
The protective fabric cover which encases the
mattress and foundation is called ticking. It is
usually designed to coordinate with the foundation
border fabric and comes in a wide variety of
colors and styles. Mattress fabrics can be knits,
damask or printed wovens, or inexpensive nonwovens.
In the past decade, along with the rise in popularity
of all-foam beds, stretchy knit ticking on
the bed’s top panel has become a standard look on
both innerspring and foam beds. Most ticking is
made with polyester yarns. More expensive mattress
fabrics may have a combination of polyester
with rayon, cotton, silk, wool or other natural
yarns. The ticking has to be made of quality material,
so that it lasts longer. Mattress ticking must
be hygienic and stain-resistant and should help
reduce air pollutants.
Mattress ticking fabric is normally made as
woven and knitted fabric. Mostly it is low-cost
mattress in India, with woven fabric. Knitted
mattress ticking fabric is used on high-end mattress,
the market for which is currently small but
is growing fast in India. Mattress manufacturers
22 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

circular knitting
like Kurl-on, Sleep
Well and others have
been importing their
requirement for knitted
mattress ticking
fabric.
GTA and the parent
company have
over 150 years experience
in mattress
ticking. The company
has a combined
capacity of 12 million
metres of knitted
fabric per annum
in the two facilities
in Europe and North
America. Identifying
an opportunity,
GTA has established
India’s first knitted
mattress ticking
fabric manufacturing
facility. The company
has invested in
10 Mayer and Cie
double knit jacquard
circular knitting machines.
These are the
same machines and
technology used by
GTA globally, says
Mr. Stephen Fieux,
Plant Manager, GTA.
Mr. Remy Tack, responsible for
Indian Operations, says: “We are
starting the production facility in
India to cater to the local market.
We believe that our products, the
knitted mattress ticking fabric, are
really soft and has elastic properties.
It is going to be liked by the
customers in India. We will look at
exporting later but for now we are
establishing the plant for the Indian
Mayer & Cie circular knitting machines supplied and installed by Batliboi
market”.
Globally, GTA has over 80 Mayer
and Cie machines and 120 looms
in its facilities in Europe and North
America. The company’s global
turnover is Euro 80 million, with
significant growth in business yearon-year.
North America continues
to remain one of the major markets
for mattress ticking, and GTA is
continuously investing in its facility
to cater to this market. GTA also
exports to markets like Russia,
South America, Chile, Australia
and Asia from its European facility.
“We have the technology from
Europe and machineries from
Germany. We have many years of
experience in knitted and woven
matress ticking products. We see
potential for growth in India. We
want to be the first, and we are first
factory in India producing mattress
ticking in knitted category”, says
24 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

circular knitting
Mr. Fieux.
GTA India Private Ltd., which is
a 100 per cent subsidiary of GTA,
was established in October last.
The company undertook a complete
study of the Indian market for mattress
ticking and spoke to customers
before deciding to venture into the
market.
In India, currently there are 25
to 30 customers, mattress manufacturers,
who are importing their
requirement for knitted mattress
ticking fabric. By setting up a plant
in India, GTA offers the advantage
of high quality fabric made locally
available to Indian customers. This
gives customers a reliable source,
prompt service and flexibility to
buy as per their requirement. “We
pay a lot of attention to quality, cost
and delivery. We place the customers
on a very high level”, says Mr.
Remy Tack.
The Indian facility will have an
initial capacity to manufacture one
From left, Mr. Remy Tack, Mr. Stephen Fieux and Mr. M. Sriram, GTA
million metres of fabric per annum.
The company plans to quickly ramp
up capacities based on market requirement.
The Indian plan will employ
30 people to start with, headed
by Mr. Remy Tack, who comes
with years of experience in manufacturing
mattress ticking fabric.
The basic raw material used will
be man-made fibre. GTA is already
sourcing a lot of yarn
from India for its
global facilities. The
yarn is sourced from
Reliance and a few
other companies. The
company plans to use
the same source for
the Indian plant as
well.
“With the best
technology machines,
decades of experience
and understanding of
the market we will be
able to offer the same
quality as in our global
facilities from day 1”,
adds Mr. Remy Tack.•
“Since GTA decided to put up a
project at Tirupur to cater to the
upcoming knits mattress ticking
domestic market as well for exports.
Batliboi has provided all
specialized support for this venture.
Starting from floor plan suggestion
Batliboi has installed and
commissioned the specialized
mattress ticking machine OVJA
1.6 E 3WT at the GTA plant. It has
also supplied specially designed
and tailor-made yarn creels to
accommodate bigger packages.
Further, machine operation training
has been given. The knitting
unit started functioning from April
22. Batliboi will further provide
pattern designing & development
services at later stages. It is very
positive about fast growth of this
segment and success of the GTA
venture”.
– Mr. Abhay Sidham
General Manager, Batliboi
26 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

textile machinery
German team’s strategic thrust on
energy efficiency, cost cutting
Mr. Fritz P. Mayer, Managing Associate, Karl Mayer
Textilmaschinenfabrik and Chairman, VDMA Textile Machinery
Association
Efficient textile production will be the main
topic at ITMA Asia + CITME 2012. Government
regulations aiming at higher energy
efficiency have been passed in China and India.
Adjusting to volatile energy and commodity
prices as well as ecological requirements from
retailers and consumers provide a challenge for
textile producers throughout Asia. The membercompanies
of the VDMA Textile Machinery
Association are well prepared to give ITMA
Asia visitors profound answers on how to
increase energy or material efficiency so as to
combat cost pressure and to fulfill the needs of
the market.
China’s Five-Year Plan focus
China’s textile industry is entering a new era:
Countries like India, Bangladesh or Vietnam
are leveraging cost advantages to compete
with China for international markets. The 12th
Five-Year Plan of China is aiming high. “The
Chinese textile industry is facing a transformation
process in the years ahead. The 12th Five-
Year Plan sets ambitious goals. Sophisticated
textile products for high-end markets, enhanced
productivity, energy savings and emission
reductions are just some key words that describe
the tasks for the Chinese textile sector. All this
requires technological upgradation”, explains
Fritz P. Mayer, Managing Associate of Karl
Mayer Textilmaschinenfabrik and Chairman of
the VDMA Textile Machinery Association.
“The German technology suppliers can play a
major role to reach the targets in the upcoming
change process of the Chinese textile industry.
ITMA Asia 2012 provides an excellent platform
for the German textile machinery companies
to demonstrate how their products and services
28 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

textile machinery
can help the Chinese textile sector
to evolve into a modern high-tech
industry”, Mayer adds.
Blue Competence
New technical solutions are
increasingly considered with regard
to their economic and ecological
efficiency. But for textile producers
it is not easy to get an orientation,
because the whole discussion about
efficiency criteria and comparability
is sometimes far from being
objective.
At ITMA Asia the VDMA
Textile Machinery Association will
present the sustainability initiative
Blue Competence for the first
time in the Asian market. VDMA
has developed the initiative for
the whole range of its machinery
industry. It explains and positions
the machinery manufacturers as the
technical problem-solvers regarding
the requirements of the society
of today and of the future in saving
energy, material and resources.
In the framework of the Blue
Competence initiative, the VDMA
member-companies provide wellfounded
answers for instance to the
topic energy efficiency. At ITMA
Asia, the VDMA energy efficiency
guide “Conserving resources –
securing savings-potential” will be
distributed in the Chinese language.
In this guide the determining factors
for a comparing assessment of
energy efficiency of textile machinery
have been worked out.
Some activities in the market
in the last time regarding criteria
and comparability were not very
well founded, because they tried to
measure complex textile machinery
like consumer electronics or
household appliances. The VDMA
guide would help to put the discussion
on energy efficiency on a solid
basis again.
In the run-up and during the show
the VDMA Textile Machinery Association
will publish best practice
examples from VDMA membercompanies.
The success stories
themed “Sustainability meets profit”
will include examples of sustainable
machines and components as
well as sustainable textile products
that have been manufactured with
the help of machines from VDMA
members.
German exhibitor team
A total of 112 German companies
have registered for ITMA Asia
2012. This is an increase of 9 per
cent compared to the 2010 show.
All renowned German manufacturers
will be present at the leading
trade fair for the Asian market.
They will cover almost all different
machinery chapters with a
strong focus on spinning, finishing,
knitting, nonwovens, weaving and
winding technology.
For visitors it will be easy and
convenient to find and visit German
exhibitors as most of them will use
“Made in Germany” and “German
Technology” logos. Further, VDMA
has initiated German sector groups
in hall E2 (finishing), E5 (knitting &
braiding) and W2 (spinning).
The first point of contact for trade
professionals interested in German
technology will be the VDMA
information booth in the Association
Village, booth E7/C10. At the
A total of 112 German companies have registered
for ITMA Asia 2012. This is an increase of 9 per cent
compared to the 2010 show. All renowned German
manufacturers will be present at the leading trade
fair for the Asian market. They will cover almost all
different machinery chapters with a strong focus on
spinning, finishing, knitting, nonwovens, weaving and
winding technology.
booth the above-mentioned success
stories themed “Sustainability
meets profit” will be presented.
Also, VDMA will provide useful
information for visitors:
The VDMA ITMA Asia Guide,
listing all exhibiting VDMA
member-companies according to
halls; the 2012 Chinese edition of
the Buyers’ Guide “German Technology
– The investment always
pays off”, showing in a neat matrix
the production program of all
member-companies of the VDMA
Textile Machinery Association; the
VDMA energy efficiency guide
“Conserving resources – securing
savings-potential”; and the VDMA
sampler “Sustainability meets
profit”, including success stories
about energy efficiency, material
efficiency and others all along the
textile chain.
•
30 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

textile machinery
Texcoms’ commanding
presence in pre-owned
textile machinery
By Ganesh Kalidasan
From left, Mr. Bambang Harijanto, Mr. Boobalan and Mr. Thaker
PT. Texcoms, an entity that
came into existence in 2006, is an
Indonesia-based company aimed
at providing solutions to the textile
vertical. Less than a decade ago, an
initiative was taken, and a young
team, with rich industry experience,
was formed under the supervision
of the trio, Mr. Boobalan, Mr.
Thaker, and Mr. Bambang Harijanto.
Texcoms was initially established
with the main motto of service
to the textile industries using the
knowledge of the team and the
needs of customers in Indonesia
and Bangladesh. The strength of the
service team helped it offer costeffective
solutions by sourcing used
machines (experienced machines
as they proudly say). This resulted
in faster return on investments for
all the customers. This excellent
service motive and the customer’s
choice made them to branch out
faster into various segments within
the vertical.
The company currently provides
a number of solutions, right from
valuation of textile business to
relocation of the complete spinning/
32 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

textile machinery
weaving plants from all over the
world to different countries in the
Far East such as Indonesia, Thailand,
Bangladesh and India.
Texcoms started its journey with
MSA Bangladesh, a well known
spinning unit in the country. Texcoms
has supplied quality secondhand
machines and nearly 150,000
spindles to this single customer.
MSA, after seeing rapid growth
within the spinning industry, when
wanting to expand its operations
and production capacity, a major
chunk of business was bagged by
Texcoms as repeat orders. This has
been the biggest milestone for the
company and its super-efficient and
dedicated team of employees.
During the purchase of secondhand
machines, clients are very
sceptical as to whom, either OEM
or agents, would provide after-sales
and service solutions. This has been
one of the key points of Texcoms,
where it provides complete solution
from layout, installation, commissioning
and transfer of knowledge.
The company has set up electronics
repair stations in Indonesia, Malaysia
and Bangladesh to test and certify
the quality of the circuit boards
and other related devices before
supplying to the customer.
The company was started with an
initial investment of $100,000. The
rich knowledge and exposure of the
textile market has helped Texcoms
to cross hurdles and achieve a massive
turnover of $30 million within
5-6 years since inception.
Managed by experienced textile
professionals, Texcoms provides
advice in liquidation of movable
assets, from closed textile factories,
Mr. Senthil Kumar, Director, Simta, said: “We have been
associated with Texcoms for more than a decade for our
Indonesian business. We are very happy with our business in
Indonesia. Our relationship with them is beyond business and
more of personal partnership. We appreciate and feel proud
that an Indian company is doing very well overseas with the
confidence of foreigners. We wish them all success.”
on behalf of banks and insurance
companies. Being a service-oriented
company, it has warehouse
facilities strategically located in
Indonesia, India, Bangladesh and
Thailand to render highest quality
in customer satisfaction.
Texcoms’ spareparts and accessories
division represents a number
of clients, both Indian and global
brands, to provide quality aftersales
service to its customers. Precitex,
Simta and Unirols are a few of
the Indian companies represented
by Texcoms in Indonesia.
Texcoms’ spareparts and accessories
division represents a number
of clients, both Indian and global
brands, to provide quality aftersales
service to its customers. Precitex,
Simta and Unirols are a few of
the Indian companies represented
by Texcoms in Indonesia.
Texcoms Collective Believe
Systems, with very strong core
values in practice, always help
them to come out with new business
models. Their new concept
of managing spinning factories on
behalf of owners, banks and financial
institutions is picking up very
fast in new markets, and soon this
would become the growth driver for
the company and the team.
The parent company in Singapore,
Eastern Ghats International
Pte. Ltd., which manages the global
presence of Texcoms, has been
selected for an award – Promising
SME 500 2013. This award would
help it in a big way to obtain good
bank support and further motivate
the team to take the company to the
next level.
•
34 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

corporate news
Arvind aims to be Rs. 8,000-crore
revenue company by 2015
Arvind Ltd., one of the largest
integrated textile and branded
apparel players, recorded 2.1 per
cent growth in revenue and 48
per cent growth in profit after tax
for the full year ended March 31,
2012. Revenue for the year stood
at Rs. 4,925 crores against Rs.
4,085 crores for the previous year.
Net profit after tax from ordinary
activity stood at Rs. 245 crores
(Rs. 165 crores). At the operating
level, consolidated EBIDTA for
the year increased by 14 per
cent at Rs. 602 crores (Rs. 529
crores). The Board of Directors has
recommended a dividend of 10 per
cent for 2011-12.
Mr. Sanjay Lalbhai, Chairman & Managing Director
36 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

corporate news
The growth in revenue is driven
by 44 per cent expansion in brands
& retail business and significant
increases in prices of fabrics
caused by very high cotton prices.
Textile business grew by 15 per
cent. Within textiles, denim grew
by 18 per cent and wovens by 11
per cent. However, there was marginal
drop in EBIDTA margin to
12.2 per cent for the year against
13 per cent for the previous year as
there was a drop in operating margins
in brands & retail business as
the company had to absorb part of
higher inventory cost.
The consolidated revenue for the
quarter ended March 31, 2012, is up
by six per cent at Rs. 1,278 crores as
against Rs. 1,202 crores in the corresponding
quarter of the previous
year.
Commenting on the results as
well as outlook of the company,
Mr. Jayesh Shah, Director & Chief
Financial Officer, said: “The financial
year 2011-12 was extremely
Mr. Jayesh Shah
Director & Chief Financial Officer
challenging for Arvind. The year
was characterized by global slowdown,
weak retail demand at home,
high volatility in cotton prices and
foreign exchange and higher interest
cost. It is satisfying to note that in
the backdrop of such a challenging
environment, our company has
closed the financial year 2011-12
with 48 per cent growth in net
profit. The Board has recommended
a dividend @ 10%. Hitherto the
company was conserving cash for
reduction of the debt. The broadbased
portfolio of businesses has
brought predictability in our
earnings. Further the company
is likely to be cash surplus in the
coming few years after meeting
all our growth requirements. This
has led the Board to bring back the
company on the dividend list after
a gap of six years.”
The count of company-run stores
has risen from 428 in 2010-11
to 568 in 2011-12, including
the Mega Mart format outlets.
Through the stores, Arvind sells
premium foreign brands like
Arrow and US Polo, amongst
others. “Our target is to be a Rs.
8,000-crore plus revenue company
by 2015”, Mr. Shah added.
Mr. Sanjay Lalbhai, Chairman
& Managing Director, observed:
“We are predominantly investing in
brands, retail and technical textiles.
Our total outlay for this year (FY13)
will be around Rs. 300 crores. Of
this, Rs. 50 crores will be spent on
becoming self-reliant in power. Of
the remaining Rs. 250 crores, 40-50
per cent will be invested in textiles,
while the rest shall go to brand and
technical textiles”.
•
The Textile Magazine MAY 2012 | 37

dyeing & processing
Thies’ 120 years of technology
leadership in textile finishing
By K. Gopalakrishnan
Ms. Verena Thies, General Manager, Thies Gmbh
The brand Thies Textilmaschinen
stands for more than 120 years of
innovative machinery construction
and advanced process engineering
in the field of textile finishing. The
range of products covers dyeing
machines, flocking and bleaching
units as well as tumbler and laboratory
systems. A careful exploitation
of the resources preserves the
environment and strengthens the
company’s competitiveness.
Founded by Bernhard Thies at the
turn of the industrial age in 1892,
38 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012
Thies remains today a familyowned
and operated company. An
internationally active enterprise,
employing more than 300 in its
home base of Coesfeld, Thies offers
to its customers and interested textile
companies access to its research
and dyehouse facilities in which to
carry out trials.
The Thies product range includes
jet & soft flow fabric dyeing machines,
jiggers (high temperature
and atmospheric), fully automated
yarn dyeing machines and pressure
dryers, loose stock bleaching and
dyeing plants, laboratory and smallscale
production dyeing machines,
continuous and discontinuous tumblers,
beam dyeing machines for
yarn and fabric, heat recovery units,
control technology for individual
dyeing machines and total plants,
fully automated plants and centralized
overhead systems, dye house
planning and design.
Thies has been registering a
consistent growth over the last few
years. Ms. Verena Thies, General

dyeing & processing
Manager, Thies Gmbh, says: “2011
has been a better year compared
to 2010 and 2009. Especially after
ITMA at Barcelona there has been
an increase in sales. We have great
success with the new machine. It is
installed in every major market in
the world”.
Thies introduced at ITMA 2011
the new iMaster H²O high temperature
fabric dyeing machine which
offers low water consumption a
liquor ratio of 1:3.7 for cottons, depending
on the pick-up of water on
the fabric; a significant reduction in
process times; and improved quality
in terms of both appearance and
elongation of the fabric. It has been
designed to handle a wide range
of fabrics and knitted natural and
synthetic fibers and blends, including
viscose. Minimal rope lifting
ensures improved shrinkage control
and less rope curling for elastic
fabrics such as cotton and Lycra.
The iMaster H²O has been
specifically engineered to
ensure that textile plants are
able to adhere to the most
stringent of international and
local environmental protection
regulations.
Thies stressed that for dyeing
and finishing machinery,
40 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

dyeing & processing
cost-efficiency and high productivity
as well as treatment
technology to produce good
quality fabric are already the
basic requirements, and development
towards sustainability
remains the top priority. “In
Asia, in particular India, China
and Bangladesh, environmentrelated
regulations have become
very strict. Asian dyehouses
need sustainable technologies,”
says Ms. Verena Thies.
In 2011, the Asian markets were
a bit subdued. The Chinese market,
in particular, was a bit slow and
markets like Tirupur in India have
slowed down due to government
regulations. But things are improving.
“Right now there are a lot of
enquiries from China. We are very
positive that China will see good
numbers in the second half of the
year. We have a good marketshare
in most of the global markets –
China, India, Bangladesh, Turkey,
Russia and South America. We
don’t depend on just one market”,
she added.
Thies has been in the Indian
market for over 20 years. In 2009,
it established an office in India and
also appointed Voltas as its agent
for the local market. Ms. Verena
Thies says: “India is the biggest
The Textile Magazine MAY 2012 | 41

dyeing & processing
textile market in the world. We have
hundreds of installations at customer
locations all across the country. We sold
a good number of yarn dyeing and piece
dyeing machines to Indian customers.
We have our own company in India employing
our own technicians and sales
people. Our sales team is very efficient
and knowledgeable and they come every
year to the headquarters in Germany for
training”.
Thies regularly conducts symposiums
in India to educate the customers on
emerging technologies and also engages
with the Government to showcase its
technology and the concepts of zero
discharge. The company recently held a
Historic milestones
1892 In July Bernhard Thies established the company,
on the same site where the plant is still located.
1894 The company’s first patent is granted.
1929 The company builds the first pressure tank.
1950 The workforce grows to 159 employees.
1952 The experimental dyeing plant is installed,
commission dyeing is part of our business.
1957 The workforce grows to 380 employees.
1967 Exports now make up to 65 per cent of total sales.
1968 The production program is expanded to include
fabric dyeing machines.
1969 Thies has now a workforce of 460 employees.
Thies AG, Switzerland, was established.
1976 Thies Corp, USA, was established
1978 The company builds the first open-width tumbler.
1989 Thies UK, Great Britain, was established.
1990 Thies S.A.R.L., France, was established.
1991 Thies S.R.L. was established
1992 Thies since 100 years. Thies Wolga GmbH, Russia, was
established.
1998 1st fully automated yarn dyehouse - ZKS, Germany. Thies
S.E.A., Thailand, as well as Thies Shanghai were established.
2000 1st HT-Jigger
2001 Thies Tekstil Makinalari, Turkey, was established.
2002 1st fully automated dyestuff weighing and dispensing system
2005 1st NT-Jigger
2006 1st HP batcher
2007 MPS Colourmatic launched 1st Lab Master
2009 Thies India was established
2010 1st iMaster H²O Certification Carbon Footprint
symposium in Tirupur and another one in Ludhiana.
“We are trying to support our customers so
that they can show to the government on how we
try to protect our environment”.
To customers and interested textile companies,
Thies offers access to its research and dye-house
facilities for carrying out trials.
•
42 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

global scene
Hikes in raw material prices hit
US, EU textile import volumes
American and EU textile
and clothing import prices
rose sharply in 2011,
reflecting hikes in raw
material prices, according
to Textiles Intelligence.
Between March 2009 and March
2011 the average cotton price rose
by 346 per cent, while the global
price index for synthetics – a
weighted basket of prices of acrylic,
nylon, polyester and polypropylene
fibres – rose by 71 per cent. Since
then prices have declined, but in
January 2012 they were still well
above the levels seen in March
2009.
Reflecting these rises, suppliers of
textiles and clothing to the EU were
forced to raise – or took advantage
of the situation by raising – their
prices by an average of 9.2 per cent
in 2011, from Euro 8.16 per kg to
Euro 8.91 per kg. Furthermore,
in terms of US dollars, the price
increased by an even faster 14.6 per
cent, from $10.81 to $12.39 per kg.
The effect was to almost snuff
out the recovery in the market
which had been welcomed in
2010 following recession in
the previous year. In volume
terms, EU imports from
non-EU countries rose
by only 0.5 per cent
in 2011 after they had
grown by 9 per cent
in 2010.
In the US market, the effect of
price hikes was even more dramatic.
In 2011 the average price
of US textile and clothing imports
rose by 12.2 per cent to $1.89 per
sme, its highest level since 2001.
Whereas EU imports rose marginally
in volume terms, there was a
significant reversal in the US as
imports fell in volume by 3.2 per
cent after growing by 19 per cent in
the previous year.
The average price of EU textile
and clothing exports also rose significantly
during the year. In fact, it
was up by as much as 13.7 per cent.
Reflecting this, it is not surprising
that one of the major topics of
conversation at recent European
yarn fairs was the high cost of raw
materials, particularly cotton and
wool. Indeed, spinners and fabric
manufacturers were finding it difficult
to give forward prices for
their products because of the volatility
of cotton prices, and
this resulted in an increase
in interest in linen and viscose.
Interest in substitute fibres was
already apparent in US imports in
2011. The increase in the average
import price was stronger in
the case of cotton apparel than in
apparel made from other fibres,
and these price differentials were
reflected in import volumes. In the
case of cotton apparel, imports fell
by 10.2 per cent as buyers were put
off by higher prices. By contrast,
imports of man-made fibre apparel
rose by 14.9 per cent.
As spinners await news of the
2011/12 cotton crop, the future of
the raw cotton market remains uncertain.
Although the extreme price
volatility witnessed in 2009-11 has
moderated, price volatility may be
something which the fibre, textile
and clothing industry will have to
live with for the foreseeable
future. •
The Textile Magazine MAY 2012 | 43

achievement
Habasit Iakoka
Silver Jubilee celebrated
It was in 1987 that Iakoka Syntrans
was started by four friends as
partners – Mr. P. Thangavelu, Mr.
N. Subramaniam, Mr. V. Ammasaikutty
and Mr. R. Ranganathan.
In 1996, the joint venture, Habasit
Iakoka came into existence, with
Mr. Subramaniam as Managing
Director, and Mr. Thangavelu and
Mr. Ammasaikutty as Directors.
The latter passed away in 2011.
Habasit Iakoka celebrated its 25th
Silver Jubilee and the Family Day
function in Coimbatore on April
4 and 5 respectively. Mr. Andrea
Volpi, CEO of Habasit AG, and
other dignitaries attended both the
functions in large numbers.
A total of 23 distributors along
with their sales team participated
in the Distributors Meet. In his
opening remarks, Mr. Subramaniam
introduced the distributors and
The Textile magazine
is proud to be associated
with Habasit Iakoka since
its inception. We whole
heartedly congratulate
the management team
and the employees on
the completion of 25
successful years.
Mr. N. Subramaniam, Managing Director, Habasit Iakoka
44 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

achievement
Mr. S. Dinakaran, Chairman, SIMA
spoke of their achievements. Some
of them are with the company for
the past 25 years.
Mr. Andrea Volpi, after formally
presenting a traditional silver lamp
as a gift to distributors, lauded their
contributions for the enormous
growth of the company, particularly
with products like transmission
belts, spindle tapes and conveyor
belts. He also gave the assurance
that Habasit would be bringing out
new innovative products to increase
its market share in India.
He also presented wrist watches
as a token of recognition of their
work to the marketing team of
distributors.
A few of the distributors narrated
their success stories with
the co-operation extended by the
manaement, and also requested Mr.
Andrea Volpi to provide for some
production facilities in India for
transmission belts in order to face
the emerging marketing competition.
Mr. S. Dinakaran, Chairman of
the Southern India Mills’ Association
(SIMA), and Joint Managing
Director of Sambandam Group
of Mills, in his address, appreciated
the rich contributions made
by distributors and also the service
capabilities of Habasit Iakoka.
The Silver Jubilee Family Day
The successful Habasit Iakoka team
The Textile Magazine MAY 2012 | 45

achievement
Mr. N. Subramaniam, handing over a memento to Mr. Andrea Volpi, CEO of
Habasit AG
Celebration held on April 5 was
formally inaugurated by Mr. S.
Shanmugasundaram, Vice President
- Production, by lighting the
traditional lamp.
Mr. Dinakaran, who was the
chief guest on the function, praised
the efforts of Habasit Iakoka and recalled
his long association with the
company, particularly the inaugural
function organised for the joint
venture in 1996. He complimented
the Managing Director for his
writing skills in Tamil, particularly
on travelogue and poems, and also
quoted some of the paragraphs from
the four books authored by him.
Mr. Andrea Volpi too addressed
the gathering and touched on the
contributions made by several leaders,
especially his father, Mr. Giovanni
Volpi, in forming the joint
venture and also the co-operation
extended by Mrs. Alice and Mr.
Thomas Habegger.
On the occasion, he expressed his
hope and confidence that Habasit
Iakoka would continue its successful
journey to celebrate Golden,
Platinum and Diamond Jubilee in
the years to come.
Mr. A.S. Subbian, Managing
Director, Sri Karunambikai Mills
Private Ltd., in his address, recalled
the day when he handed over a
cheque for Rs. 16,000 for the first
order placed on Iakoka Syntrans in
1987. Till now the first invoice in
every financial year is raised in the
name of Sri Karunambikai Mills.
Mr. N.M. Ethiraj, DGM - Stores,
Sri Ramakrishna Mills, and Mr.
S. Arunachalam, Director, Mec
Growths Texmach Pvt. Ltd.,
extended their felicitations and
confirmed their strong relationship
with the company.
Proposing a vote of thanks, Mr.
Subramaniam turned a little emotional
when he referred to the rich
contributions made by his fellow
Directors, the company management
team, distributors, suppliers,
staff members
and workers
for the
company success
over the
years. But for
their combined
effort,
the company
won’t have
achieved the
current accelerated
growth
rate despite
several odds.
•
46 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

corporate news
Abhishek Gupta takes over as
MD of Trident Ltd.
Trident Ltd., the flagship
company of the $1
billion Trident Group, has
appointed Mr. Abhishek
Gupta as its Managing
Director. With world class
manufacturing capacities
in textile & paper and
clientele spread over 75
countries, Trident Ltd. has
emerged one of the largest
exporters of terry towels
from India.
Mr. Abhishek Gupta,
25, a graduate from the
University of Warwick
and Schooling from the
Doon, has become one
of the youngest Managing
Directors. With the
average age of employees
less than 29, Trident is
known for providing fast
track career opportunities
and generates employment
to more than 20,000
families.
Mr. Abhishek Gupta
has been well groomed
to take over the new
responsibility. He led the
company’s commercial,
supply chain, project and
operations teams and
successfully introduced
efficient systems and
processes.
Prior to being appointed
as the Managing Director,
he was heading the
Corporate Marketing and
Innovation Team and provided
strategic direction
to the marketing heads
of all business verticals
of Trident. He honed his
skills in Marketing from
Harvard Business School
and has been able to successfully
put into practice
his academic knowledge
which has been instrumental
in driving the
marketing operations, and
generating strong revenue
growth for the company.
Apart from academics
and leadership skills, Mr.
Gupta believes in professionalism
and his ability
to inspire his colleagues
and others with the vision
and values of the organization.
Trident has been
recognized for adopting
best corporate governance
practices, in addition
to winning considerable
appreciation from global
brands like Wal-Mart,
JC Penney, Target,
IKEA, Macy’s, Kohl’s,
Burlington. A pioneer
for investing in business
excellence and associating
with global technology
partners like Toyota,
Thies, Schmale, Savio,
Karl Mayer, Allimand,
etc., Trident is also a
leading supplier of copier
paper. After establishing
“Trident Spectra” in the
domestic and international
markets, it recently
launched “Trident Eco
Green” and “Trident Natural”
to expand its market
share in paper industry.
Currently the Trident
Group has a monthly production
capacity of 14.5
million pieces of towel,
90,000 pieces of bathrobe,
15,000 tonnes of paper,
7,500 tonnes of cotton &
blended yarns and 60 mw
captive power generation.
With a compounded annual
growth rate of more
than 30 per cent, Trident
has established itself as
one of the fastest growing
groups in India.
•
48 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

corporate news
Savio-Trident long-standing
partnership in progress
Savio’s association with the
Trident Group started way back in
early 1990s when the first spinning
mill of the group was set up in
Barnala.
The iconic Savio automatic cone
winder model ESPERO took care
of the winding needs of this unit
which was commissioned with six
winders. The unit was expanded
from 1995 onwards, and all its 11
winders were commissioned by
1997. Soon after the success of
this mill came the second unit, and
Savio ESPERO became its integral
part of this unit which was completed
in 1999, with a total 13 ESPERO
winders installed therein.
During this period Trident started
its terry towel plant and installed
Savio TFO model Geminis 12
machines of 360 spindles each.
The expansion of the plant took
place in 2004, and Savio supplied
15 TFO model Geminis S
of 200 spindles each. Another
five Geminis S model machines
of identical specification
were added during 2006.
Trident continued its expansion
in spinning and in the
process installed two Orion L,
the first fully electronic winder,
in its Unit 2 in 2004. The
fourth generation automatic
cone winder model Polar made
its entry in 2007, and there was
no looking back. A total 22
such winders have been successfully
installed till date, confirming the
Dr. Gabriele Checchini,
Managing Director & CEO, Savio India
quality commitment of the Trident
Group.
During late 2010, Trident conceived
its link winding project in
Barnala. Savio was associated with
this prestigious project and installed
40 link winders of Polar I DLS
model at this plant. At the new terry
towel project of Trident at Budhni
(MP) to be set up in 2012-2013,
Savio will be delivering 42 new
generation TFO model Sirius of
240 spindles each as well as another
13 at the Barnala unit.
The growth of Savio and Trident
in India are interrelated. Having
sold its first winder during 1990,
Savio delivered 15,669 winding
heads in 2011. This is indeed a
remarkable achievement. •
50 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

spinning
Savio develops new
energy-efficient TFO
Middle and Far
East countries that
constitute the key
markets for twofor-one
twisters
are today showing
requirements that
until now have
characterized the
“traditional” Western
markets. The
requirements are also
different in different
market zones. The
main requirement is
to reduce workforce,
which has become
expensive. Apart from
the need to reduce
the initial investment
costs as well as
power consumption, a
number of companies
seek products with
low maintenance.
To meet these requirements,
Savio has developed
its new two-for-one
twister, Sirius. The main
features of the new ma-
chine are high structural
standardization for all the
diverse models, a wide
range both for feeding and
spindle dimensions for
every yarn type and count,
a great optional offer
available for all different
machine versions, and
“electronic” solutions and
simplified maintenance
to reduce the workforce
needed for each machine.
In other words, with its
new twister, Savio offers
a competitive global machine
that can, at the same
time, be fitted according
to the local market and
client needs.
Savio has developed
the Sirius electronic drive
system where all the
working parameters are
set via PC. It helps reduce
the machine set-up time,
thus cutting the number
of operators. Moreover,
the new system allows
change in settings continuously
and not “step by
step” as in the mechanical
version, allowing customers
to try any process
combination, in order to
obtain the best results.
For details, contact:
Savio India Ltd., Tamaraikulam
P.O., Pollachi
Tk., Coimbatore - 642
109. Email: mail@savioindia.in
Web: http://
www.savioindia.in/
•
52 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

in-plant logistics
Genkinger-
HUBTEX’
textile-specific
transportation
solutions
By K. Gopalakrishnan
Genkinger-HUBTEX is specialist in transport
technology in the textile industry. The company’s
developments are based on its experience of more
than 80 years. It closely co-operates with leading
textile machinery manufacturers to be able to offer
optimum solutions to customers. It also turns out
modern industrial trucks for indoor transport for
trade and industry, ranging from the simple fork lift
truck to the heavy duty lift truck.
The company’s product range covers three industrial sectors:
Warehouse technology for industry and trade; lifting and transport
equipment for the textile industry; and special solutions, lifting masts
and components for driverless transport systems.
Genkinger-HUBTEX also manufactures specialist and generalpurpose
materials handling trucks for “in-house” transport in industry
and trade. Load capacities range from 0.3 to 20 tonnes. The modular
construction system enables the company to meet customer requirements
entirely and down to the crucial detail.
For the textile industry – weaving mills and warp knitting factories
– Genkinger-HUBTEX is a world leader and develops and manufactures
specially adapted lifting and transport vehicles for handling of
warp beams, cloth beams and large batches.
In the area of driverless transport systems, Genkinger-HUBTEX is
Mr. Helmut Graser,
Sales Director - Textile Division,
Genkinger-HUBTEX
54 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

in-plant logistics
For the textile industry Genkinger-HUBTEX offers a full range
of up-to-date hydraulic and fully motorized transport trucks.
Especially for weaving it offers transport trucks for the
preparation area, warp beam transport trucks, trucks for the
drawing-in department, article change trucks for the weaving
mill, unloading trucks for fabric beams and batches, and high
lift trucks for both the warp beam and fabric beam stores.
a reliable partner for
the most well known
manufacturers. As a
supplier for this sector,
the company develops
and manufactures
individual components
such as lifting masts,
driving units and complete
vehicles.
For the textile
industry Genkinger-
HUBTEX offers a
full range of up-todate
hydraulic and
fully motorized transport trucks.
Especially for weaving it offers
transport trucks for the preparation
area, warp beam transport trucks,
trucks for the drawing-in department,
article change trucks for the
weaving mill, unloading trucks for
fabric beams and batches, and high
lift trucks both for warp beam and
fabric beam stores.
For knitting mills the company
offers sectional beam mounting
trucks, warp beam high lift trucks
for loading knitting and raschel machines,
fabric roll transport trucks
and transport trucks for the storage
area.
Genkinger-HUBTEX does turnover
of Euro 40 million. Mr. Helmut
Graser, Sales Director - Textile Division,
Genkinger-HUBTEX, says:
“The textile industry contributes 40
to 45% of our global business. We
work very closely with all major
machinery manufacturers and our
customers. We want to ensure that
we make the right truck for the
right loom, so that it improves the
efficiency and enhances productivity
for our customers and, most
importantly, customers should experience
trouble-free performance.
India is one of the most important
markets globally contributing to
30% of the textile business”.
Genkinger-HUBTEX has been
working in the Indian market with
customers for over 30 years now.
Currently the company is represented
by Mr. V.N.S. Jayaraman
of Eurasia Temac. Every major
customer in the weaving segment
successfully uses its products in
India, says Mr. Graser. •
The Textile Magazine MAY 2012 | 55

testing & certification
SGS sustainability drive ensures cost
reduction, better use of resources
Dr. G. Sudesh Kumar, Director,
Consumer Testing Services, SGS India,
With increasing global market
pressures to create a commercial
edge, sustainability is
fast becoming the key concept
that shapes a company’s shortterm
prospects and overall
long-term success. Consumers
are demanding greater transparency
in the sustainability claims
of the products they buy, and
SGS, with its sustainability
service program, is at the forefront
of this development.
Dr. G. Sudesh Kumar, Director,
Consumer Testing Services,
SGS India, spoke of the need to
introduce sustainability initiatives
to the Indian marketplace,
initiatives which SGS has successfully
established in both Europe and
China over the last four years.
“There are very few certification
companies like ours which
are working towards achieving
sustainability, and we are the first
ones operating in India to come up
with these new services. Though
there is a basic understanding of the
concept of sustainability, people
are a little hesitant to invest in
such projects. But we are working
towards spreading the awareness
of what the services are and how
they are beneficial for long-term
growth.”
SGS measures sustainability in
business through a three core-area
classification assessment. This
assessment determines the environmental
impact of a product during
its entire life cycle; the eco-design,
with particular focus towards the
eco-packaging in respect of sustainability;
and the carbon footprint
of a product, for which SGS has
developed its own carbon footprint
mark, supported by an extensive
and dedicated carbon footprint
consulting service.
The SGS Product Carbon Footprint
Marks (PCF Marks) have
helped companies develop a greener
profile by providing clients with
a scientific standard based around
the environmental impact of their
product with respect to international
standards. As SGS’ Charles Ly Wa
Hoi explains, “sustainability today
is not a trend; it helps organizations
to improve their efficiency, attain
positive cost cutting and better
use of available resources.”
The means to determine
carbon foot printing can help
improve a company’s overall
services and demonstrate an
environmental commitment to
its clients.
Charles Ly Wa Hoi adds:
“People and companies in India
are constantly talking about
sustainability, but there is still
confusion amongst the industry
about how to go about it, and
this is where our role is important.”
Once carbon footprints have
been evaluated, SGS provides
three different carbon footprint
marks. With transparency a key
principle, the first step a business
can take is to demonstrate its
social responsibility by displaying
the footprint of any given product
through the Product Carbon
Footprint Mark. With this environmental
commitment established,
a further mark can be sought, the
Product Carbon Reduction Mark,
which conveys to clients a continuing
commitment, on behalf of that
business, to reducing its impact on
the climate.
The final carbon footprint mark,
the Product Carbon Neutral Mark,
represents the absolute limit to
which a particular business has
sought to eliminate all unnecessary
carbon emissions. Charles Ly Wa
56 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

testing & certification
Hoi’s belief is that Indian companies
can sustain business in the long
run if they invest in sustainable
initiatives today.
SGS’ comprehensive range of
sustainability services covers green
house gas emission reduction, environmental
management systems,
carbon footprint, energy and water
audits, indoor environmental quality,
corporate sustainability reporting
and carbon labeling.
SGS offers an extensive and dedicated
carbon footprint consulting
service. It enables you to calculate
your footprint and provides the data
needed to improve your service and
demonstrate environmental commitment
to clients.
•
SGS textile testing laboratory in Tirupur
expanded
SGS India recently opened a new lab in Tirupur
to serve the knit city’s textile and home textile
manufacturers, exporters, buyers and domestic retailers.
The new facility located on College Road
was inaugurated by Mr. A. Sakthivel, President
of the Tirupur Exporters Association (TEA).
Covering an area of 30,000 sq. ft., the facility
houses both physical and restricted substances
for testing the entire range of apparel and textile
products. With increased capability of testing
azo dyes and phthalates and enhanced restricted
substance testing capabilities the lab will serve
clients aspiring for international standards. The new
capacity and capabilities will lead to steep reductions
in turnaround time for its customers in and around
Tirupur. Additionally, with installation of an independent
effluent treatment plant, the new facility is fully
compliant to the environment norms in the State.
Tirupur remains a hub of cotton merchandise exports
to European and US markets. This accounts for the increasing
demand for consumer product testing services
in the region. Product safety, quality and compliance
requirements of REACH & CPSIA regulations have
raised the chemical test parameters in the textile supply
chain. The new lab helps to address the restricted substance
requirements as well as sustainability management
of the textile and apparel industry.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr. G. Sudesh
Kumar, Director, Consumer Testing Services, SGS
India, observed: “It has been our endeavour to be in
close proximity to our customer’s businesses. A lab in
Tirupur was the next logical step towards enhancing
SGS India’s ever increasing footprint in India. Apart
from the regular softlines testing, this lab will also enable
manufacturers to launch products complying with
the ever-stringent REACH guidelines. SGS India’s
lab will enable Tirupur to play an important role in the
global textile market.”
SGS Tirupur laboratory has been in operation since
1996. The lab is ISO 17025 accredited and is fully
functional in delivering testing, inspection and social
responsibility services with the highest level of integrity.
The expansion marks another level in bringing
world class quality assurance solutions to Tirupur.
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification,
testing and certification company. Recognized as the
global benchmark for quality and integrity, it has more
than 70,000 employees and operates a network of over
1,350 offices and laboratories around the world.
•
The Textile Magazine MAY 2012 | 57

corporate news
Siyaram’s to invest Rs. 160 crores
for capacity expansion
Mr. Ramesh Poddar, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Siyaram
Demand for branded products is
always growing. To meet this demand,
Siyaram’s has decided to expand
its fabrics and garments manufacturing
capacity at an outlay of Rs.
160 crores this fiscal.
The Siyaram’s Vice-Chairman
and Managing Director, Mr. Ramesh
Poddar, told PTI that his company
plans to increase the fabrics capacity
by about 10 lakh metres a month.
“The expansion work which will
start by August-September will be
funded through internal accruals and
loans.”
Siyaram’s, which enjoys a market
share of 20 per cent in the Rs.
6,000-crore organised market, currently
manufactures 550 lakh metres
of fabric every year and will increase
the capacity by 125 lakh metres. It
also makes 2.5 lakh pieces of gar-
“We have 100 exclusive shops and
we will add another 30-40 stores.
Since it will be mostly through
franchise, we will not have to
invest much. Our share may be
somewhere around Rs. 3 crores.
Last year we clocked a net turnover
of Rs. 900 crores and expect this
to touch around Rs. 1,100 crores
this fiscal. Gross sales should be
15% more than net sales.”
– Mr. Poddar
ments every month and plans to increase
it to 3.2 lakh pieces, he added.
The company operates four plants
at Tarapur near Mumbai for weaving
and yarn dyeing, two at Daman
for garments and one at Silvassa
for weaving. Owning brands like J
Hampstead, Oxemberg and Siyaram
MSD, it plans to open 40 stores during
the current fiscal, mostly through
the franchise route.
Mr. Poddar said the revenue contribution
from garments will be
close to Rs. 200 crores. Exports,
primarily to West Asia, are expected
to increase to Rs. 75 crores this year
from Rs. 50 crores.
•
58 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

spinning-ohtc
AB Industries to launch
OHTCs in India
By K. Gopalakrishnan
Mr. Anbazhahan, Director, AB Industries, and Mr. Fatih Sabaz, iKiler Tekstil
Mumessilik
brands in the Turkish market.
Mr. Fatih Sabaz has been a
close associate of the promoters
of AB Associates for many years.
Thanks to the strong relationship,
understanding and confidence, AB
Industries has sold more than 500
OHTCs in the last couple years to
both spinning and weaving units
and also bagged significant orders
worth of Rs. 2 crores at ITM Texpo
Eurasia. The company provides
complete service support through a
team of dedicated and experienced
engineers.
Having established its presence
in Turkey, the company is all set
Here is an interesting story of
three textile industry professionals,
Mr. V. Balasubramanian, Mr.
R. Anbazhahan and Mr. V. Benny
Jerald, who had more than 20 years
of experience in overhead travelling
cleaners (OHTCs).
AB Associates was their parent
company which was started in 2006
in Coimbatore and representing
brands like Rimtex, Sieger, Jacobi
and JC. Today AB Associates
is also representing JC, Rimtex,
Sieger, Inarco, Servomax India and
Elgi Ultra brands primarily in the
south Indian market.
The company decided to diversify
into overhead travelling cleaners
by establishing AB Industries in
2008-2009. The promoters have
vast experience in OHTC business
and they put all their experience in
developing a product which is best
in its class. Even before selling its
products in the Indian market, the
company forayed into the Turkish
market, thanks to its relationship
with Mr. Fatih Sabaz of Ikiler
Texstil Mumessilik, a leading agent
in Turkey for textile machinery and
accessories. MOHLER, the brand
under which OHTCs are manufactured
and sold by AB Industries has
become one of the largest selling
Mr. Balasubramanian
Director, AB Industries
60 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

spinning-ohtc
Mr. Jerald
Director, AB Industries
to make a strong presence in the
Indian market. The Directors are
committed to supply world class
product with on-time delivery and
prompt after-sales service to the
customers. MOHLER OHTCs
which have been supplied so far are
functioning well in major mills like
Arvind, KPR and Nandan Exim and
other leading mills in India. The
company has a tie-up with some of
the leading textile machinery manufactures
and is regularly supplying
its products for the export market.
The experience of the Directors
has helped them to select the right
quality of raw materials, the right
selection of process using sophisticated
machinery and highly experienced
people to meet the stringent
European design.
AB Industries has sophisticated
infrastructure facilities for manufacturing
world class overhead
travelling cleaners. A dedicated, determined
and committed workforce
is its strength enabling it to grow
by leaps and bounds and achieve
high targets. Its true commitment is
evident in every single product that
rolls out of its factory. Every overhead
travelling cleaner that rolls out
undergoes stringent quality control
inspection.
Its quality consciousness has
always kept the team ahead of competition
and enabled it to maintain
the ever-growing clientele, both
domestic and international.
The market for OHTCs in India
is around 3,500 to 4,000 units per
annum and an additional 10 per
cent accounted for by replacement
demand. Considering the number of
players in the market, AB Industries
is confident that it will be able to
garner a significant market share in
India. The company is also working
closely with some of the OE
machinery manufacturers to offer
OHTC as part of the complete
project.
•
The Textile Magazine MAY 2012 | 61

IT solutions
SEL Group goes live with
Datatex - ERP in less than
6 months
SEL Manufacturing Ltd., which has positioned
itself as an established and leading
vertically integrated multi-product textile
manufacturing conglomerate in India, has
gone live on ERP in just 5½ months since
initiation of the project. SEL runs with ultra
modern facilities engaged in manufacturing
quality textiles across the entire textile value
chain that include yarns, knitted fabrics, towels,
readymade garments and in future denims
too.
With a marketing network in more than 40
countries around the globe, the SEL Group,
which has a current annual turnover of $400
million, has plans to raise it to $1 billion by
2013-14.
Elaborating the company plan, Mr. Neeraj
Saluja, Managing Director, SEL Group, said:
“As I understand, this has been one of the
fastest Datatex Implementation in industry.
In fact, we wanted our ERP system to go
live exactly with the same speed and dynamism
which the SEL Group in known for.
ERP provides an integrated view of business
performance and does ensure efficient,
transparent processes. It also enables rapid
response to ever changing market conditions
and improved collaboration between different
internal teams”.
Talking about enabling SEL with ERP, Mr.
V.K. Goyal, Executive Director & CEO, SEL
Group, observed: “Today SEL has grown to
a position of prominence amongst the major
textile players of India. In fact, SEL has not
Mr. Neeraj Saluja, Managing Director, SEL Group
62 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

IT solutions
only come out as a frontrunner
but is also the most
talked about and fastest
growing Indian textile
company in recent times
creating one successful
venture after another.”
Referring to SEL’s
ambitious growth plans,
he said: “It became all
the more important for
us to make the organization
ERP enabled and
we are confident that it is
right fit for our organization’s
vision, long term
strategy, business control,
transparency and the need
to improve efficiency across its end to end business
processes”.
Mr. Z.S. Chaudhari, President, IT SEL Group, said
while elaborating about ERP implementation that out
of the short listed three potential software vendors,
SEL Manufacturing Ltd. chose the “Datatex NOW”
ERP solution fully integrated to “SAP FICO” as its
strategic platform and opted to implement it on the
“IBM System platform”.
Mr. Chaudhari also said that “Datatex NOW” solution
includes sector-specific modules and supports all
the production planning, materials management, manufacturing,
marketing and financials at SEL.
Ms. Jyotsna Varma, General Manager IT, SEL, explained
that by selecting Datatex ERP on IBM System
server, SEL was able to implement the production and
development environments for its Datatex solution on
the same physical machine.
“In addition to avoiding the cost of buying, installing,
ERP provides an integrated view of business
performance and does ensure efficient, transparent
processes. It also enables rapid response to
ever changing market conditions and improved
collaboration between different internal teams.
– Mr. Neeraj Saluja
64 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012
Mr. V.K. Goyal, Executive Director & CEO, SEL Group
powering and maintaining
a second physical server,
the company benefited
from a single, integrated
backup procedure for all
its Datatex data”, Ms.
Varma added.
The SEL project
includes sales, planning,
scheduling, production,
costing, shop floor management,
inventory and
purchases, all included in
the Datatex NOW (Network
Oriented World)
standard offering.
The project is being
managed and implemented
by Infinite Computer solutions (India) Ltd. (ICS),
www.infinite.com, Datatex BP in India.
ICS has been selected by Datatex as its partner in
India for the sale, implementation and support of its
ERP product NOW.
“Datatex is very proud of being part of this phenomenal
growth process of a new textile and apparel
corporation in these days where business has become
so much more challenging, complex and interesting
than ever”, said Mr. Alexander Hagin, President and
Founder of the Datatex Group.
Datatex A.G. www.datatex.com, is the world’s
leading supplier of IT software solutions to the global
textile and apparel industry with the largest installed
base of textile software with customers in 42 countries
and five continents.
Datatex textile ERP platforms represent over 20
years of continuous software development and refinement
in close collaboration with the largest user group
in the textile and apparel sector.
SEL has joined a very well respected list of Datatex
customers globally and in India where some of the
country’s leading textile corporations have gone for the
Datatex ERP solution. The National Institute of Fashion
Technology (NIFT) has also introduced Datatex
(NOW) as part of its curriculum in all its eight centres
in India.
•

technology
Trützschler
to launch new machines
for Asian market
The three business divisions of
the Truetzschler Group will jointly
exhibit their products at ITMA
Asia. Machines and technologies
for the Asian market will take the
center stage.
Truetzschler Spinning
is introducing the
new card TC 8 which
has been specifically designed
for the Asian
market and will be
built at Truetzschler
Textile Machinery Shanghai.
The TC 8 is the top card in the card
segment with one metre working
width. It offers high productivity
and sets standards in its segment
with regard to energy efficiency.
Depending on application, exclusive
developments are part of the
standard equipment of high production
card TC 8 – T-Con, the optimisation
tool for cards; MAGNOTOP,
the magnetic fastening system for
flat tops; and NEPCONTROL, the
The new Trützschler Card TC 8 to be exhibited for the first time at ITMA Asia 2012
online nep monitoring.
The new Truetzschler
draw frame generation
TD 8 is equipped
with new sensor
technology. The new
feed sensor disc leveller
TD-DL ensures
consistently uniform
66 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

technology
sliver count and significantly improves sliver
count variation. The new quality sensor disc
monitor TD-DM in the delivery area of the
draw frame permanently monitors the quality
data of the sliver.
The Truetzschler Securoprop SP-FPU is
the only foreign part separator with three
detection modules. Three different
detection technologies in
one machine, combined
with three lighting principles,
provide unprecedented
efficiency.
Truetzschler
Nonwovens will
show the new
Bastian winder
technology
for the
first time. Another subject
concerns ready-to-use nonwoven
lines with different
web formation and bonding
technologies. Only Truetzschler
Nonwovens offers all common
bonding types (spunlace,
needling, thermal and chemical
bonding) from one single
source. The third key subject
concerns lines for production
of man-made fibres and carbon
fibres.
Truetzschler Card Clothing
The axles of disc leveller
TD-DL of draw frame TD
8 are firmly anchored in
the frame, thus providing
increased precision
(TCC) presents itself as a leading
card clothing supplier for
the spinning and nonwovens
industries. The focus will be on
The Bastian winder technology has been integrated into Trützschler
Nonwovens
new developments such as the flats series NovoTop
A and the first maintenance-free cylinder clothing
FGX 1. In addition, the extensive service network in
Asia and the service products are addressed by TCC.
With more than 2,500 employees, Trützschler is
one of the world’s leading textile machinery manufacturers
specialising in machines, installations and
accessories for spinning preparation and the nonwovens
industry. The company is headquartered
in Mönchengladbach, Germany. The subsidiaries,
Trützschler Nonwovens GmbH with two production
sites, and Trützschler Card Clothing GmbH are also
located in Germany. Sites in India, China, Brazil and
the US as well as a number of service centres provide
customer proximity in the important textile processing
areas.
•
Regrinding is no longer necessary as far as the first maintenance-free cylinder clothing in the world, FGX
1, is concerned
The Textile Magazine MAY 2012 | 67

corporate news
Welspun India registers 26%
growth in revenue
Mr. B.K. Goenka, Chairman, Welspun India
Welspun India Ltd. (WIL), a part of the $3.5
billion Welspun Group, has announced growth of
26 per cent in revenues to Rs. 25,910 million for
FY 2012 largely on account of higher realization in
line with the increase in raw material prices. Sales
volumes in terry towels witnessed 7.1 per cent
growth to 39,113 MT and yarns by 5.5 per cent to
33,416 MT.
WIL is one of the top three home textile manufacturers
in the world and the largest home textile
company is Asia. With a distribution network in 32
countries and manufacturing facilities in India, it is
the largest exporter of home textile products from
India. Supplier to 14 of top 30 global retailers, the
company has marquee clients like Wal-Mart, J C
Penny and Macy’s, to name a few.
The Welspun Group has factored the customer
need to bring the Textile Business under a single
umbrella and is merging WGBL (marketing operations)
with WIL (manufacturing operations). Post
this merger, both the manufacturing and marketing
business will be consolidated under WIL, thereby
creating Textile Business that will come under a
single umbrella. This will recreate unified stronger
entity with a simplified structure. It will also help
lower the administrative and other costs.
WIL will have a strong marketing arm and a
continued partner under single listed entity which is
completely integrated from manufacturing to marketing.
This consolidation of marketing / branding
and allied services would ensure better utilization
of available and future resources, value unlocking
and enhancing stakeholder value going forward.
In a three-step process, firstly WGBL will merge
into WIL which will issue fresh equity shares to
equity shareholders of WGBL, i.e., the shareholder
of one equity share in WGBL will be given one
68 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

corporate news
Mr. R.R. Mandawewala, Managing Director
share of WIL. Second, marketing
business of WGBL will be hived
off from WIL via slump sale to its
subsidiary, Welspun Retail Ltd.
(WRL), which is currently a subsidiary
of WGBL. In consideration,
WRL will issue new preference
shares to WIL. Finally, Welspun
Retail will be renamed as Welspun
Global Brands Ltd. to retain
its marketing identity. This will
bring the entire manufacturing and
marketing business under a single
company.
With the challenging global business
environment, this restructuring
will enable the textiles business to
provide superior delivery to customers
and an opportunity to grow
its market share. The recent difficult
international business environment
has impacted the international marketing
operations and weak consumer
sentiments have particularly
affected the demand and
retail operations. Domestic
and International retail
markets slowed down due
to tough economic conditions,
and many high-cost
manufacturing locations
witnessed closure of units.
Marketing and retail business
witnessed high cost
and low margins, resulting
in losses across geographies.
Marketing set-up under
WIL, WRL, WGBL in the
US, the UK, Portugal and
Mexico, incurred losses and
both the companies have
provided for losses to the
tune of Rs. 1,701 million
during this year. Post this
restructuring, the domestic and
international operations have been
pruned to enable WIL to grow
profitably.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr.
Rajesh Mandawewala, Managing
Director, Welspun India Ltd., said:
“After a sluggish start, the textile
industry in India is showing an
upward trend, and we being one of
the leading home textiles players in
the world have done exceptionally
well. During FY 2011-12, we took
various steps to consolidate our
manufacturing operations and are
merging WGBL into WIL to ensure
that we can provide superior quality
product and services seamlessly to
our customers. Focus on innovation
shall continue to provide us an
edge to be preferred partner to our
customers and thereby continue to
grow our market share.”
•
Maharashtra CM’s
optimism over new
textile policy
The Maharashtra Chief Minister,
Mr. Prithviraj Chavan, has said that
the new textile policy, which aims to
get Rs. 40,000-crore investment in the
next five years will boost the sector in
a big way.
Speaking after inaugurating a website
of the new policy, Mr. Chavan
said 80 per cent of the cotton produced
in Maharashtra is taken to the neighbouring
States for processing.
“The new textile policy aims to improve
the situation by providing incentives
to the textile units in Vidarbha,
Marathwada and North Maharashtra,
so that employment opportunities are
improved,” he added.
The investors will be provided uninterrupted
water and electricity supply
and other incentives, he said adding
that the policy will see employment
opportunities to 11 lakh people.
The State Textiles Minister, Mr.
Mohammed Arif Naseem Khan, said
the new website would provide all information
to investors about the policy
and major Government decisions.
•
70 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

textile printing
A.T.E. ties up with Zimmer Austria
for digital printing systems
Mr. G.V. Aras, Director, A.T.E. Enterprises (Textile Business Group)
A.T.E. has entered the world
of digital printing with a
tie-up with the world leader
Zimmer Maschinenbau
GmbH (Zimmer Austria),
which, with sites in
Klagenfurt and Kufstein,
manufacturers a range of
machinery for textile and
carpet finishing covering
digital printing systems,
flat screen and rotary
screen printing, coating,
steaming, washing and
drying.
A.T.E. will work for Zimmer’s
digital printing systems for textiles
and carpets, which will be handled
by its processing and carpet
machinery division respectively, for
the markets of India and Bangladesh.
Zimmer Austria offers all elements
out of one hand: complete
lines, high-quality, reliable and
safe software. In addition to the
complete application know-how,
Zimmer has a showroom having the
facility for conducting digital printing
trials at Kufstein.
While Zimmer has established its
leadership position in carpet printing,
its recent introduction
of Colaris for textile printing
has been well accepted by
the market as is testified to
by the growing number of
satisfied customers across
the globe.
As the printing market is
shifting from conventional
technologies to digital, due
to change in taste of consumers,
these machines will
play a key role in the Indian
textile printing industry. For
printers who are looking
for high production digital
textile printing machine with
flexibility for short and long
runs, the Colaris has become
the right choice since one
72 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

textile printing
can easily print up to 200 linear
metres per hour. The Colaris which
was exhibited at ITMA 2011 Barcelona
demonstrated its production
capacity and thus won the appreciation
of most of the visitors at the
Zimmer Austria stall.
In the case of carpet/bathmat
digital printing system, Zimmer
Austria offers the ChromoJET
digital printing machine series. This
is a unique printing system suitable
for medium to heavy substrates
mainly for carpets, rugs, carpet tiles
and bathmats with no limitation of
design repeat up to the commonly
used 16/24 colors. This technology
is used by all major printed carpet
producers across the globe.
The first machine with 4000 mm
width has been sold to a leading
firm in north India.
•
Partners
Innospin to
boost spinning
productivity
A.T.E., a solutions provider from ginning
to garmenting for the textile industry,
has joined hands with Innospin Systems
Pvt. Ltd., a manufacturer of roving
transport systems offering cost-effective
solutions for enhanced productivity in
spinning mills. With this tie-up, A.T.E.
has further strengthened its product portfolio
and can now offer affordable roving
transport solutions to spinning mills.
Innospin’s range covers both manual
and motorized roving bobbin systems.
These are suitable for all makes of speedframes
and ring-frames. Customized
packages are designed to suit individual
floor plans and production requirements.
Announcing the tie-up, Mr. Amitabh
Vohra, Managing Director of Innospin,
said, “in A.T.E. we have found the perfect
partner to create business synergy for
both the companies”.
Mr. Sunil Bhatnagar, Sr. Vice President
of A.T.E., commented: “Many of our
customers have been asking for help in
automation, which is seen as the need of
the hour of the textile industry. Our key
objective with this association is to give
the best cost-effective solutions to our
customers, particularly in the context of
an acute labour shortage”.
Through this tie-up both A.T.E. and
Innospin will complement and combine
their strengths to boost their customers
businesses through lowering production
costs.
•
The Textile Magazine MAY 2012 | 73

corporate news
Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn third quarter
net up by 41 per cent
technical textile on March 30, 2012, worth Rs. 992
crores. The revenue growth in the home furnishing,
denim and technical textiles segments will be available
in the last quarter ending June 2012.
Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn is a technology-driven integrated
multi-product and multi-market player engaged in
manufacturing and processing of high quality, end-toend
textile products and safety textiles for paramilitary
forces and other defence establishments since 1993.
The company has seven manufacturing facilities, at
Aung, Malwan, Abhaypur and Raahsupur in Fatehpur
district (Uttar Pradesh) and at Sonepat (Haryana),
Roorkee (Uttrakhand) and Noida.
Its product range covers bed-linen, terry towel, denim
and bottom weights, readymade garments, fusible
interlinings, embroidered fabrics and zippers. It serv-
Dr. M.P. Agarwal, Chairman & Managing Director
Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn Ltd. (SLCL), an integrated
textile player engaged in manufacturing and processing
of a wide range of end-to-end textile products and
safety textiles for defence and paramilitary forces, has
reported a rise of 40.72 per cent in net profit at Rs.
38.98 crores for the quarter ending March 31, 2012, as
compared to the same period last year.
Total revenue for the quarter stood at Rs. 709.95
crores (Rs. 437.48 crores), a rise of 62.28 per cent.
EBIDTA margins were 18.04 per cent compared to
15.93 per cent. EPS for the quarter was Rs. 14.66 as
compared to Rs. 12.30 the year ago quarter.
For the nine-month period, SLCL clocked a net profit
of Rs. 84.14 crores compared to Rs. 76.79 crores in the
year ago period, while net sales stood at Rs. 1,700.57
crores (Rs. 1,285.24 crores).
Commenting on the results, Dr. M.P. Agarwal, SLCL
Chairman & Managing Director, said the company
started commercial production of sheeting, denim and
74 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

corporate news
ices large institutional clients with a
range of uniform fabrics, ballistics,
360 degree protected armoured vehicles,
fabricated equipments such
as sleeping bags, tents, haversacks,
facelets, protective clothing and
casualty bags. It is a market leader
in fusible interlining with over 30
per cent market share.
The company offers several product
brands such as STAR TRACK
(fusible interlining), SVL (zippers),
ALISHA (embroidery and lace fabric)
and GALAXY (denim trousers,
garments and bottom weight fabrics),
as well as a new eco-friendly
brand WEAVES (home furnishing)
to health conscious families. It
recently launched a new readymade
product range called DYFI, translated
as “Do You Fit In”.
•
Bhaskar Denim forays into
northern market
Bhaskar Denim, a Dainik Bhaskar
Group company incorporated in
1985 as a spinning mill in Bhopal,
is now among the top five denim
mills in the country producing 42
million metres per annum. It is a
vertically integrated mill with spinning,
dyeing, weaving and finishing
operations under one roof. With
its state-of-art modern machines
and quality management, the name
Bhaskar has become synonymous
with high quality denims.
Bhaskar Denim, with its strong
presence in Indian and overseas
markets, has come up with a new
concept of bringing in distributors,
brands and washers on one single
platform with its event denim reloaded.
Dealers/traders, brands and
washers play a significant role in
the value chain and have an important
contribution in the growth of
denim industry in India. This segment
takes care of more than 60 per
cent of the denim capacity in the
country. Through the event Bhaskar
Denim showcased the Spring Summer
13 collection, it’s best-sellers
and the quick delivery collection.
As a significant part of the event,
Bhaskar Denim also organized a
washing competition among the
mid-level washing laundries. 26
washing laundries showcased their
innovative washes on the common
fabric provided by Bhaskar and
awards were given to 5 different
categories.
Giving utmost importance to this
segment, Bhaskar launches two collections
every year, namely, Spring
Summer and Autumn Winter. Its international
and in-house product development
team strives hard to give
the best products to the market. The
Bhaskar product range includes flat
finished, coated, padded fabrics,
utilizing special blends such as
linen, tencel and other specialty
fibers.
Bhaskar Denim has also introduced
the concept of quick delivery
collection to cater to the small
quantities and immediate fabric
requirements of small and mediumscale
brands.
The company is currently working
with reputed brands like VF,
Tommy Hilfiger, NEXT, Jack and
Jones, Marlboro, ZARA, M&S,
Only and Carrefour. Along with
major exporters like Shahi, Arvind,
Chelsea, Gokaldas and Scotts, it has
also spread its wings in garmenting
hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata,
Bangaluru, Bellary, Chennai, Kanpur
and Indore.
Mr. Srigopal Jhawar, Business
Head, Bhaskar denim, says that the
Indian denim industry is growing
at a healthy rate of 12 per cent. The
current Indian denim production
capacity of 850 million metres per
annum is expected to cross 1,000
million metres by 2015.
With a current sales turnover
of nearly Rs. 750 crores, Bhaskar
Denim is expected to grow 10 per
cent during 2012-13. •
The Textile Magazine MAY 2012 | 75

processing & finishing
Dhall Group emerges global
player in textile processing
& finishing machinery
Establishes strong presence in the denim range
By K. Gopalakrishnan
India’s leadership in the global
textile industry is common knowledge.
One would assume that the
leadership is restricted to yarn,
fabrics and garments and, to an
extent, in the spinning machinery
and component space. But the situation
is changing fast. Even within
the textile machinery segment,
which continues to be dominated
by European manufacturers, Indian
machinery manufacturers are
steadily making their mark, and
some have established leadership
in specific segments. One such
company is Dhall Enterprises and
Engineers Private Ltd. which is
emerging a global player providing
the complete range of machines for
the denim industry.
Established in 1959 and with
more than, 40 years of experience,
Dhall offers a comprehensive range
of textile processing and finishing
machinery. The company’s product
portfolio includes continuous
bleaching, washing and mercerizing,
pad dry and pad steam ranges,
cold pad-batch dyeing ranges with
S-roll padder, S-roll dye and finishing
padders, jigger, drying ranges,
Mr. Satish Chopra, Managing Director, Dhall Group
76 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

processing & finishing
Mr. Satish Chopra, and Mr. Pankaj Dhall, Director, Dhall Enterprises & Engineers Pvt. Ltd.
stenter and relax dryers, shrinking
ranges and vacuum foam finishing
ranges. The group also offers Dhall
rotary nickel screens developed
with the technology from Zimmer
of the US.
Mr. Satish Chopra, Managing
Director of Dhall Group, says: “We
are emerging as a global player in
denim industry competing with the
European manufacturers. We have
some good references and acceptability
in the top segment. Our
sizeable business comes from the
range of machineries that we offer
for the Denim industry. We have
installed more than 100 machines
in the Denim industry, till date in
markets like India, Bangladesh,
Peru, Turkey and Thailand”.
Till 2000 most of the machines
for the denim industry were being
imported by Indian companies. In
May 2000 Dhall supplied its first
set of machines to Arvind. This
set off a new trend in the denim
industry in India, and subsequently
the company started supplying to
all major brands, including Raymond,
Mafatlal, Oswal, Nahar,
Aarvee Denim and all others. It has
15 machines in Aarvee Denim and
received repeat orders from Arvind.
Another segment which the
company is aggressively working
on is decentralized processing units.
In 2005 the company executed a
complete project in Ahmedabad for
Pradeep Overseas Ltd. This was a
turnkey project executed by Dhall
wherein the company installed the
bleaching and dyeing plant.
Mr. Chopra says: “We hope to be
able to modernise the decentralised
processing sector. The payback
period for our continuous bleach
range is just 12 months. There is
potential for more than 500 such
machines in India”.
Dhall has done an important innovation
in the continuous bleaching
range machines. For the first
time in the world the company has
developed a machine which can
successfully run two ends superimposed
on each other. For upto
150 gsm weight of the fabric, the
bleaching results on both the layers
are the same. This would result
in increased capacity of 2,00,000
metres per day in a machine. “This
is the biggest revolution in the Indian
industry making our machines
economical. We will be able to
sell this technology for the next 10
years in modernising the decentralised
processing sector”, says Mr.
Chopra.
“When the denim industry started
in India, all the machines were
being imported from Europe, but
now most of the machines are avail-
The Textile Magazine MAY 2012 | 77

processing & finishing
able in India. A similar trend
will happen in the bleaching
range. We hope to replicate
the success that we had in the
denim industry in the woven
sector also”, he adds.
An interesting diversification
that Dhall made was
that of acquiring the nickel
screen business of Zimmer
(USA), including the brand.
The company has moved
the entire production facility
to India. Mr. Chopra is
quite happy with this decision and
is planning to double capacity next
year. “We have few more diversifications
lined up, including some
acquisitions, which we will announce
shortly”.
In terms of the manufacturing
Dhall clocked a turnover of Rs. 60
crores in 2011-12. The company is
confident of reaching the magical
figure of Rs. 100 crores in turnover
in 2012-13. Growth is expected to
come from both the domestic market
and exports. Longterm target for the
company is to achieve a turnover of
Rs. 200 crores turnover in the next
4 to 5 years.
facility, Dhall has established a
modern facility. The company has
continuously invested in upgrading
its manufacturing facility to match
global standards. “Our facilities
are state-of-the-art with no human
interference in manufacturing.
We are the only manufacturer
in the world to offer the
complete range of processing
and finishing machines at an
affordable cost”, adds Mr.
Chopra.
Dhall has managed to
bridge the technology gap.
It is working on complete
turnkey projects globally. It
has supplied machines to mature
markets like Japan and
Australia which would’ve
normally preferred European
brands.
Mr. Chopra is very confident
about the future growth prospects
when he says that “the textile industry
has great future and we forsee
that we will be a global player in
this segment”.
•
78 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

textile components
Forbo belts enhance product
quality and machine life
Dipl.-Ing. Axel Meyer, Segment Manager Textiles & Export Manager
Forbo Movement Systems showcased
its latest product developments
at ITM in Istanbul, Turkey.
Its new printing blankets ensure top
printing quality and its enhanced
web-laying belts optimise the way
the product lies. The new power
transmission belts set standards, offering
energy-efficiency and longer
product lives.
Forbo Siegling has developed
two new printing blankets that set
standards in rotary – flat-bed and
digital printing. They have polyester
tension members and produce
even more accurate printing results.
The Print 6646-2.15E is single-ply
and has a low-noise underside. This
characteristic is particularly important
for high-speed operation during
flat-bed printing.
Because of the typical start-stop
process during flat-bed printing,
belts without enhanced undersides
frequently cause irritating noise.
With its special fabric design and
low surface weight, the belt is also
amenable to key elements of the
machine, such as the magnetic bar
cover. It also ensures longer service
life and cuts energy and maintenance
costs as a result.
The two-ply PRINT 6736-2.65E
was developed for rotary printers
based on this innovative high-tech
fabric design. In this case, advan-
The Textile Magazine MAY 2012 | 79

textile components
tages such as reliable, low-noise
belt tracking also really bear fruit.
PRINT 6736-2.65E combines
robustness with extreme repeat
accuracy. The belt’s thickness and
pitch line precision mean that it is
easy to retrofit on existing rotary
printers.
Web-laying belts sans
wrinkle forming
Web-laying belts have key functions
to fulfil in the manufacture of
needle felts. Forbo Siegling faced
this challenge by introducing two
new web-laying belts at ITM. With
its low-friction coating, the NP
6553 glides even more easily and
gently through the non-woven fabric.
The look of the product when
processing the finest of fibres shows
a significant improvement. The belt
is highly conductive and therefore
functions perfectly without any
electrostatic build-up. In relation
to the belt’s weight, it is also very
laterally stiff. This cuts the risk of
creases forming too.
The second innovation is the
extremely light, two-ply web-laying
belt NP 6711 with a low-drag,
finely patterned belt surface. The
lightweight design ensures especially
quiet tracking, particularly
when the widths laid are wide. The
typical pounding the belt makes
is usually avoided. Good release
80 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

textile components
have proved to be very efficient and
durable. The belts have thermoplastic
aramide and polyester tension
members.
Forbo Siegling engineers gave
them a tougher black coating and
stronger tension members. This
combination ensures longer service
lives and produces better internal
stability of the belts. The consistent
friction coefficient in tangential
belts also produces more consistent
spindle revolutions.
The tangential belts have particularly
strong edges and they operate
Forbo Siegling’s new rotor
belts for OE machines are new
benchmarks in rotary power
transmission technology. The
tangential belts, calibrated on
both sides, have highly abrasionresistant
coatings that ensure
consistent friction coefficients
over their entire service lives.
extremely reliably. The result: even
after a long usage period, the quality
of the yarn stays at a constantly
high level.
The Siegling Extremultus rotor
properties are another excellent
feature. The result: machinery can
be operated even faster and more
effectively and wears out much
slower.
The new generation of particularly
lightweight, modular heating
presses complements the range
of Forbo Siegling innovations for
nonwoven production.
Longer service lives for
components
Since their launch, power transmission
and tangential belts of
Siegling Extremultus A and E lines
The Textile Magazine MAY 2012 | 81

textile components
belts also have a thickness tolerance of just 0.02
mm. Consequently, there is less stress on sensitive
components like the rotor bearings and better
yarn quality with fewer piecings is guaranteed.
The rotor belt can be supplied up to 150 metres in
length.
Extensive service facilities
Forbo Siegling strives to provide extensive
service facilities. In order to ensure the extreme
precision of its power transmission and conveyor
belts, the company offers its customers on-site
endless splicing. The variety of belts offered
requires reliable splicing methods that Forbo Siegling
has developed, based on its long-standing
expertise. The global company offers its service
in many countries via local agencies and service
points.
Forbo Movement Systems, previously called
Siegling, employs more than 1,800 people globally
in eight production sites and 25 international
companies. Its conveyor and power transmission
belts are used in nearly all industries. Key competencies
are the food
and packaging industries,
logistics and airports, as
well as paper, print and
raw materials industries.
The company was
founded in 1919 in Hanover.
Since 1994 it belongs
to the Swiss company
Forbo International. The
products have been marketed
since 2007 under
the master brand “Forbo
Movement Systems”. •
82 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

corporate news
RSWM’s marketing office opened
at Ichalkaranji
Mr. Arun ChuriwaL, Managing Director
RSWM Ltd., part of the Rs. 5,000-crore, LNJ Bhilwara
Group, has just opened its new regional yarn marketing
office at Ichalkaranji in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra
to serve central India in a better and personalized
manner. After setting up its centres in different parts,
as in Indore, it is now increasing its reach in the central
part of India.
Mr. ML Jhunjhunwala, Head (Domestic Yarn Marketing),
said: “It is a privilege to have a yarn marketing
office at Ichalkaranji. The response of the traders and
customers was overwhelming on the inaugural day. We
witnessed more than 250 customers and traders and received
very positive feedback from them”.
Mr. JC Laddha, Chief Executive (Yarn Business),
stated: “Ichalkaranji is one of the largest markets with
1,25,000 looms, of which 25,000 looms are shuttleless.
The office is opened with an objective to introduce
RSWM’s value-added yarn to customers in Kolhapur
district and to provide our customers personalized services.
The Ichalkaranji office has been opened to introduce
the company’s specialty products to customers
in Maharashtra”.
RSWM produces all kinds of yarns, including
cotton yarn, synthetic yarns and functional yarns
which have end uses like knitting, weaving, technical
textiles, home textiles and many specialized
applications. The company already has yarn marketing
offices in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Ludhiana,
Tirupur and Bhilwara. It will shortly open
office in Ahmedabad and Kanpur for a better understanding
of these markets.
RSWM is a leading manufacturer and exporter
of synthetic blended and cotton yarn with eight
manufacturing units in Rajasthan, of which five
units produce yarn. The company has total installed
capacity of 3,55,538 spindles and 4,080
rotors-spindles with an annual turnover of Rs.
2,000 crores. It is one of the largest producers of
fabrics marketed under “Mayur Brand” with annual capacity
of 10 million metres and denim fabrics with annual
capacity to produce 15 million metres.
RSWM Ltd. is one of the largest textile manufacturers
in the country with a turnover of Rs. 2,000 crores. It is
the flagship company of the LNJ Bhilwara Group which
has a turnover of Rs. 5,000 crores with its presence in
textiles, power, graphite electrodes and IT.
RSWM operates 4,07,378 spindles, having more than
100,000 MTA yarn capacity. With eight manufacturing
locations, it specializes in synthetic, blended, mélange,
cotton & specialty yarn, fabric and denim. The company
exports a complete range of yarn and fabric to over 70
countries worldwide, with visible presence across Europe,
South Africa, North America, Australia, South
Korea, Belgium, Singapore, Italy, Egypt and the Gulf
countries.
Mayur Suitings, the leading brand of RSWM Ltd., enjoys
high brand equity in the country.
•
The Textile Magazine MAY 2012 | 83

success story
Tavex installs Montex 6500
stenter in Mexican factory
here at Tlaxcala, and there are
Monforts stenters at other plants
within the group. We are therefore
familiar with the technology
and maintenance support. There
is one stenter here from another
manufacturer, which dates back to
the time when this was an Acotex
factory, but our familiarity with
Monforts meant that we were
happy to invest in a Montex to
Mr. Adalberto Avendano,
Tavex’s Manager for Dying and Finishing at Tlaxcala
Tavex Corporation, which
recently acquired Mexican denim
manufacturer Acotex, is upgrading
its manufacturing facilities in
Mexico to increase sales to the US
market. It has already installed
a new Monforts Montex 6500
stenter for production of stretched
denim. With its plants in Puebla
and Tlaxcala it was a move
designed to increase access to the
US market.
Spain-based Tavex Corporation,
the world’s largest manufacturer
of denim, has installed a new
Monforts Montex 6500 stenter
at its Tlaxcala factory in Mexico
for the purpose of increasing its
production of stretched denim.
Tavex, founded more than 150
years ago, also has denim manufacturing
plants in Spain, Morocco,
Brazil and Argentina.
Mr. Adalberto Avendano,
Tavex’s Manager for Dying and
Finishing at Tlaxcala, says that
the installation of the Montex
was part of the company’s programme
to upgrade facilities at
the factory, which is devoted to
denim production. “We already
have two Monforts sanforisors
84 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

success story
extend our production range.”
Stretch denim is the biggest
volume trend in the market, and in
Mexico Tavex is putting considerable
emphasis on expanding the
stretch business. The strategy is
to emulate the premium European
stretches but manufactured much
closer to the US market.
The Montex 6500 is an eightchamber
machine able to handle
material to a width of 200 cm
and was delivered and installed
in 2011 by Sattex, the Monforts
distributor for Mexico.
Mr. Avendano adds that the
Montex 6500 has features which
make the machine particularly
suitable for denim manufacture,
allowing the elimination of several
traditional process steps.
Montex is handling materials
widths of between 170 and 180
cm, at weights that range between
290 gm/m 2 and 460 gm/m 2 . “We
decided to split the production of
denim types between our existing
stenter, which is producing standard
denim, and the Montex, which
is producing stretched denim. The
machines are working Monday to
Thursday on a 24-hour basis, with
two 12-hour shifts, and on Friday,
Saturday and Sunday they are not
working”.
On this basis, the two machines
between them are processing at
the rate of 17 million metres of
denim per year. During the period
March to December 2011, starting
from the time the Montex came
on-line, it processed 6 million metres
of stretched denim. So on an
yearly basis, production is evenly
divided between the two.
Mr. Avendano also says that
90 per cent of Tavex’s Mexican
production is going to the US, the
world’s largest market for denim.
Tavex’s total denim capacity at its
Mexican plants is more than 20
million metres per year.
•
The Textile Magazine MAY 2012 | 85

textile components
Millmark Associates’ growing
presence in spinning conversions
By Ganesh Kalidasan
Mr. D. Sampath Kumar, Chief Executive Officer
Millmark Associates was formed
in 1992, with its head office in
Coimbatore remaining the main hub
of the textile yarn spinning industry.
Headed by Mr. D. Sampath
Kumar, Chief Executive Officer,
the company is well known in textile
machinery spares and services,
offering its customers a wide range
of spares right from blowroom to
autoconer.
With a team of textile engineers
with 15 years of work experience
in leading textile machinery
manufacturers of the entire range
of spinning machinery in India, the
management has gained considerable
experience in erection and
servicing of all brands of spinning
machinery in India and abroad.
“Millmark Associates’ motto is to
supply top quality tailor-made consumable
products unlike a normal
standard product. Existing products
are updated regularly with improvements.
Innovation and updating is
a daily process at Millmark Associates”,
says Mr. Sampath Kumar.
The management uses the
knowledge gained though years
of exposure and experience in the
textile industry to identify designoriented
flaws and provide solutions
to customers. Based on this,
the company has developed an
individual machine-centric product
which is indeed well accepted in the
market.
The company provides a complete
system of flat brush attachment
to achieve 100 per cent flat
cleaning in Trutzschler/Trumac
and Rieter carding machines. This
will help to keep the flats clean of
micro dust and seed coats throughout
its working time, ensuring
uniform quality of the card sliver.
The attachment enables consistency
in NEP removal efficiency of
cards. Moreover, with this conversion,
there is a saving in usage of
compressed air to clean the flat and
manpower during operation.
The conversion is also applicable
for cards which are processing
100 per cent polyester and blends.
The titanium di-oxide deposit on
the flats is removed by this brush
drive arrangement assuring the efficiency
of consistent NEP removal
86 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

textile components
is maintained. The company continues to provide
value-added conversions for the existing machinery
in the industry wherever necessary. It also provides
solution to customers in demand of non-standard
spares with their in-house design and development
team. In critical areas of production, energy and
labour saving, the team offers tailor-made solutions
to the clients.
Millmark Associates supplies all spare parts
for Rieter, Lakshmi, Trutzschler, Toyoda, Zinser,
Marzoli, Howa, Platts Saco Lowell, NSE and
Schlafhorst brands of machinery. As the firm adopts
stringent inspection and quality norms, the rejection
percentage is nil.
As a domestic player, the firm’s presence is felt
in almost all the textile centres in India. It also has a
share of business in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam,
Malaysia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and South Africa.
Its export market keeps expanding.
•
The Textile Magazine MAY 2012 | 87

Story & pictures by Ganesh Kalidasan
Indo InterTex 2012, the 10th
Indonesia International Textile and
Garment Machinery & Accessories
Exhibition, was held concurrently
with INATEX 2012, the 10th
International Textile, Fibres, Yarns,
Fabrics, Garments, Home Textiles,
and Textile Accessories Exhibition,
at Jakarta International Expo
Kemayoran during April 19-22.
Indo InterTex is a textile and garment machinery exhibition
organized on an international scale. With Indonesia
as the host nation, this event seeks to provide new
and innovative solutions to tackle the threats posed by
globalization of businesses, especially to textile and garment
machine manufacturers in Indonesia. The venue
for this trade show allowed attendees to meet industry
experts and gather important information on this sector.
Peraga Nusantara Jaya Sakti PT and Expostar Global
Event Ltd. jointly organized Indo InterTex 2012. With
the support of the Indonesian Textile Association (API),
it was a good platform, especially for updating the national-related
TPT players with the latest industry and
market developments in the textile and garment sector.
The theme of this year’s event was Innovative Solution
towards Global Competition.
The exhibition focused on the display of a wide variety
of textile and garment machinery and accessories,
many of which were launched for buyers to view and
analyze.
88 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

indo-intertex 2012
Here are some of the special comments made by the leading exhibitors:
“First of all, I must appreciate and congratulate the organizers
for such a good event. The infrastructure provided is
fantastic, time management is spot on. Also the quality of customer
has been excellent. First two days comprised of a lot of
top-level decision makers which really kept us on toes. But
I really appreciate the support I have received in this year’s
expo. Also this year’s expo has helped us bag a couple of
orders in a short span of time for our newly launched TE-
RASPIN.”
– Mr. Laxmikant S. Rathi
Vice President (Spinning Accessories & Exports), A.T.E.
“The response has been very good, and
the customers who visiting our stall have
shown a lot of interest. A lot of visitors
from the General Manager cadre visited
our stalls in the last 3 days. Overall the
response has been very good when compared
to the same exhibition 2 years back.
Bakaert is the leader in terms of market
share in Indonesia and also globally
strengthening its presence as well.”
– Mr. B.L. Bhattak
Sales Director - India &
South-East Asia, Bekaert
“Crosrol has been doing great in many Asian countries like
Vietnam, Bangladesh, Pakistan and also in India and Indonesia.
When considering the investment part, we are expecting a few
countries like Myanmar, Indonesia and Bangladesh to show better
progress in terms of huge investments in spinning and weaving
verticals, and hence we are focusing more on markets. Crosrol
has a presence in the Indonesian market for the last 30 years.
Our plan is to reduce the distance between the customer and
the machinery supplier. This expo’s response has been OK for
this textile climate. Acquired some good enquires from projects
which are still on paper stage. Maybe by September the market
would be in a much better position.”
– Mr. Jawahar Perumal
Regional Director, Crosrol
The Textile Magazine MAY 2012 | 89

indo-intertex 2012
“The crown that showed up on the first day was not so good, but the
response on quality of crowd that turned up to our stall on the second
and third day was very good. Almost all our customers have visited
our stall and happy with their response. LCC has been present in the
Indonesian market for more than 10 years. We are confident that it
will keep up much more than other Asian countries would within the
textile industry. Lots of new projects in the pipeline, and so people are
negotiating with our prices. The ambience and infrastructure is very
good for business compared to Bangung.”
– Mr. R. Jagadeesan
Vice President - Corporate Admn.
Lakshmi Card Clothing & Mfg. Co. Ltd.
“Since last year there has been turbulence in yarn prices
which has disturbed our customers in a big way. But towards
the end of last year, things were beginning to stabilize,
and this year things have started to move forward and
have helped us reach our budget. The Government is very
supportive in Indonesia and is helping the entire industry
and manufacturers to grow well. We are very happy to
welcome a lot of our existing customers. A lot of new enquires
for new diversifications within the textile industry
and enquiries for our new machines. Overall very good,
and happy about the exhibition.”
– Mr. Henry Tio
Chairman, Groz-Beckert
“The overall response is good. The people who have
visited our stall have predominantly been very influential
people. The quality of response in this show when
compared to other shows has been excellent. The infrastructure
is much better when compared to Bandung.
Elgi has a presence in the Indonesian market for the
past 4-5 years. Texmach Impex is our new agent and
we hope to do better in this market in the years to come.
Next to China and India, Indonesia is the most important
market for us in Asia. The market in Indonesia is
better with lots of investors around.”
– Mr. K. Sivakumar
AGM - Marketing, Elgitex
90 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

indo-intertex 2012
The response was good both in terms of quality and quantity,
so no complains. Suessen has a strong presence in the Indonesian
market for the past 5-6 years. The facilities are much
better in Jakarta and were organized very professionally. I’m
positive that the global textile scenario will change due to the
very fact that population is growing. So textiles as an industry
will grow. But the question is which country it will grow. If
not for China, India and Indonesia, there is no place for this
huge industry. But I’m very much convinced that there would
be stability in this business within the next 6 months.”
– Mr. Peter Stahlecker
Managing Director, Suessen
“The response is good. The positive thing is that the country
is planning to grow with 70% more spindleage. And when
more spindles are sold, more parts are required at various
processes. And in the Indonesian market, all the people have
a good rapport for Indian products. Most of the Indian-owned
mills in Indonesia prefer Indian products due to better quality
when compared to Chinese products. Some new customers
have requested us to send bobbins for testing, and with the
existing customers; there are already a lot of orders. Naval has
its presence in the Indonesian market since 1990 and currently
has good market share in the business.”
– Mr. Naval Tibrewala
Chairman, Naval
The exhibition this time was in terms of area and the number
of exhibitor participants and is quite well organized. The quality
and quantity of customers in the last 2-3 days have been really
good. Also the exhibition space is much better than the Bandung
fairgrounds. We had visitors from Solo, Surabaya, and nearly 70-
75% of the entire spinning industry of Indonesia has come. Having
a presence in the Indonesian market for the part 12 years, we
are the most dominant player here with a market share of nearly
47% for ring travellers. This exhibition is more of a PR exercise
for us, since we are already supplying to most of them. Our Indonesian
agent, PT Texmach IMPEX, has vast knowledge about the
Indonesian market and has offices in Jakarta, Bandung and Solo.”
– Mr. J.M. Balaji
Head - Marketing, Lakshmi Ring Travellers (CBE) Ltd.
The Textile Magazine MAY 2012 | 91

indo-intertex 2012
“The exhibition so far has been quite good. We have had a lot of
good quality customers decision makers, technical people and also
people from the shopfloor level. We got good exposure for all the
machineries and accessories in the market. By and large we have
been very busy due to our large customer base consisting of more
than 100 customers, and most of them have come and visited.
Overall, the exhibition is a big success. The frequency of having
this exhibition once in every 2 years is adequate and the organizers
made a good decision of having this exhibition here in Jakarta
compared to Bandung. More visitors from Central Jawa, Surabaya,
Solo, Semarang and Bandung. Precitex has been present for
more than 10 years in this market and has already well establish
its presence here. We have TEXCOMS as our agent here, and we
are very committed to the Indonesian market.”
– Mr. Diven G. Dembla
Managing Director, Precitex
“The exhibition is quite good especially for the Indonesian
market. A lot of quality customers turned up at our stall. Simta
already has a well-established presence in this market and so we
have received very good feedback from the customers. This exhibition
is basically for meeting all our clients under one roof,
rather than making separate visits to their offices. In Indonesian
we have been selling our products for the past 10 years through
TEXCOMS and enjoy a good percentage of market share in this
region. Predominantly known for its spindle tapes and clearer
rollers, Simta has received a lot of repeat orders from customers,
through the word of mouth and is very happy with the response.”
– Mr. Senthil Kumar
Director, Simta
“Overall the exhibition was quite busy, and we have received
many customers. This is also due to our strong presence in this
market. We had courtesy visits from most of the old and existing
customers and also a few existing customers showed interest in
expanding their business. We feel that the Indonesian market
is growing due to the increase in sales of our machines in this
market especially at the beginning of this year. I’m very positive
about the quality of customers who came to our stall. We have
received huge enquires during the show.”
– Dr. Enrico Zanetti
Managing Director, Stalam
92 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

indo-intertex 2012
“The quality of customers was much better this year
when compared to the last 2 shows in Indonesia. We
are here to promote our product and we have had very
good response. Compared to last year, the market in
Indonesia is slowly picking up. Globally the industry
seems to be under heavy problems, but our drop in
sales in the rest of the world was compensated by the
growing market in Turkey.”
– Mr. Peter GAIL
Manager, Staubli
“We have been very pleased with the response. We are
very pleased with the quality of visitors who showed up at
our stall with enquiries, both old and new. For the first time,
Picanol is having its presence in this exhibition with its own
booth and the response received so far been very positive.
We have had visitors from all over Jawa, Bandung and Central
Jawa. Even though Bandung is a major hub, we see a lot
of activities in Central Jawa, Solo, Semarang, etc., and Jakarta
in between is a neutral place and a good venue to have
this expo. Picanol has been selling machines for more than
4 decades in Indonesia and has established a separate office.
This shows our commitment to the Indonesian market.”
– Mr. Tanim Chowdhury
General Manager, Picanol
Ms. Seema Srivastava, Executive Director, India-ITME
The ITAMMA stall at Indo-Intertex
The Textile Magazine MAY 2012 | 93

cotton scene
Govt. bid for collection of accurate
data on cotton output, supply
The Government has framed a
draft legislation that aims to set up
a system to collect accurate data on
cotton production and stock availability
with various stakeholders of
the industry.
In view of the commercial importance
of the natural fibre crop,
a basic and important issue that
has become a matter of concern
among policy makers, researchers
and industry was the reliability of
data on cotton production and its
stock in the possession of various
stakeholders of cotton distribution
system, a senior Textiles Ministry
official said.
It was important to have accurate
data that provides the basis
for research on various issues and
policy making and near to the actual
figures. “We are in the process
of finalising the draft Cotton Trade
(Development and Regulation) Bill,
2012. The proposed law will help
in drawing realistic cotton balancesheet.
Also, a realistic cotton
economy scenario will discourage
the distress sale by farmers,” he
said.
The Textiles Ministry had also
invited the stakeholders’ comments
in this regard. “The true and correct
data on production and consumption
of raw cotton in the natural
fibre distribution chain will help
the farmers to avail of facilities for
borrowing from banks against their
produce under the Warehousing
(Development & Regulation) Act,
2007,” the official added.
The new law has been drafted
against the backdrop of differences
in cotton output estimates made by
the Textiles Ministry and the Agriculture
Ministry for this crop year.
In March, the ban on cotton exports
imposed on fears of domestic
shortages despite record output in
the absence of accurate data lasted
only a week. The estimated cotton
production during the current season
2011-12 is 347 lakh bales (170
kg each) against an estimated 250
lakh bales of cotton. Exports have
reached 115 lakh bales, leaving a
closing stock of 25 lakh bales.
Besides, the Government asked
the Cotton Corporation of India to
build up reserves of 25 lakh bales
of cotton this marketing year to
ensure smooth supply of the raw
material to the cash-starved textile
mills.
The Textile Ministry had drafted
the new legislation as at present
there is no statutory framework for
collecting the statistical data on
cotton from ginning and pressing
factories as well as cotton yarn output
from the textile mills. “Due to
lack of realistic data, it has become
difficult for the Cotton Advisory
Board (CAB) to assess production
and consumption of raw cotton,”
the official said.
Trade and commerce in cotton
and its value-added products need-
96 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

cotton scene
ed to have a progressive national
legislation for promotion, development
and effective regulation of
cotton. The proposed Bill sought to
ensure well-structured supply chain
for cotton textiles and facilitate better
management of statistical data
collection for more effective planning
and policy formulation.
Pointing out that there was no
legislative support against the price
manipulators, the official stressed
that there was a need for a statistical
monitoring mechanism for
assessing production and consumption
of raw cotton. The proposed
law could integrate with the Collection
of Statistics Act, 2008, to
assess consumption of raw cotton in
the country.
- PTI Economic Service
•
USDA predicts fall
in India’s 2012-13
cotton production
India’s cotton output is likely to
dip by two million bales to 32.3
million in the 2012-13 marketing
year (August-July) as farmers are
likely to switch to better-priced alternative
crops amid unclear cotton
export policy, according to a report
from the US Department of Agriculture
(USDA).
India, the world’s second biggest
cotton grower, had produced
a record 34.25 million bales in the
2011-12 marketing year. One bales
contains 170 kg of cotton.
“Cotton production is forecast
to decrease by two million bales
to 32.3 million bales as the area is
expected to drop by 10 per cent, the
USDA report said.
But the domestic cotton consumption
is expected to increase to
26 million bales in 2012-13, from
25.3 million bales in 2011-12.
However, India’s exportable
cotton supply would be only six
million bales in 2012-13 as against
11.75 million bales this year, given
an expected drop in production and
higher domestic demand, it noted.
On cotton acreage, USDA said
gauging farmers’ planting intentions
at this early stage is difficult.
However, several factors suggest
that the cotton area in 2012-13 will
be lower at 10.9 million hectares
as against the record 12.2 million
hectares in 2011-12.
The record area planted in 2011
was influenced by the exceptionally
high market prices that many
farmers received following the harvest
of their 2010-11 crop. While
current prices are much lower than
a year ago, prices are still above
support price levels, which suggests
that prices may be high enough to
generate interest in cotton planting,
but low enough to prompt some
shift to alternate crops.
The Textile Magazine MAY 2012 | 97

cotton scene
While the 2011-12 ending stocksto-use
ratio is forecast to drop to one
of the lowest levels in at least 20
years, the current lower international
prices are expected to depress the
market signals that might have led to
larger planting.
USDA, however, said that “if the
Government of India increases the
minimum support price (MSP) for
cotton significantly, planting intentions
could shift.” Farmers have a
number of planting options, as high
prices of peanuts, soybeans, guar
and maize could prompt them to
shift away from cotton in central,
western and northern India, it added.
According to the report, Indian
farmers may decide to try crops that
are subject to fewer policy-driven
market disruptions as it is not clear
whether the Government will allow
fresh cotton exports before the start
of the 2012-13 marketing year or if
the Government will develop a new
procedure for regulating exports.
On March 5, India had banned cotton
exports briefly for a week. It has
decided to permit export of cotton
that was registered before the ban
period.
On cotton yields, USDA said
there is some concern within the
industry that yields have stagnated
over the past few years even as crop
productivity has increased from an
estimated 300 kg to 500 kg hectare
since the introduction of biotech cotton.
However, there is some concern
within the industry that yields have
stagnated over the past few years.
“The increasing prevalence of
‘sucking insects’ such as whitefly,
the need for better micronutrient and
fertilizer management, the spread
of cotton into dry-land areas and
seed quality are all cited as factors
affecting yields”, it said.
Given these ongoing challenges,
yields are forecast at the five-year
average of 500 kg per hectare, it
said, adding that India’s cotton
yields continue to be significantly
lower than the global average of
740 kg per hectare.
The advent of biotech cotton has
helped to improve the predictability
and stability of cotton as a crop
which has supported the expansion
of cotton area in recent years.
However, there is increasingly
widespead opinion within the cotton
industry that India’s cotton area
will stabilize at least until there is
another significant price or technology
shift, within a range of 10-12
million hectares.
Cotton, a predominantly
monsoon-season or kharif crop,
is planted from the end of April
through September, and harvested
from October. With the area under
Bt cotton and improved varieties
now reaching an estimated 92 per
cent of total area, prospects for
future growth in productivity are
limited as most cotton is grown under
rain-fed conditions and on small
farms, according to USDA.
There are an estimated 5.5 million
cotton farmers with an average
farm size of 1.5 hectares which limits
their ability to adopt capital intensive
production technologies and infrastructure.
While some potentail exists
for a further increase in yields, cotton
farmers will have to make significant
investments in production technologies
for improved management of
irrigation, fertilizers, micro nutriends,
pests and diseases to boost yields
above the current levels.
India accounts for about a third of
global cotton area. Within India, twothirds
of cotton is produced in the central
cotton growing zone, in the States
of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh,
Gujarat and Odisha where much of the
crop is rain fed.
The northern zone, which consists of
Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, produces
cotton under irrigated conditions
and accounts for about 15 per cent
of production. In the South, Andhra
Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
account for 20 per cent of production.
The central and southern zones typically
grow long duration cotton that allows
farmers to reap multiple pickings
or harvests.
- PTI Economic Service •
98 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

new products
Willy Grob’s latest systems for
weaving machines & fabrics
Willy Grob Ltd. develops
and manufacturers cloth
take-up systems for all
types of weaving machines
and fabrics. The company
is active throughout the
world as advisor and
supplier to both weaving
mills and weaving machine
manufacturers.
As an ITMA highlight Willy
Grob is going to show the newest
batching unit type SUPERIOR
‘Touch’ which is a further successful
development of the newly-introduced
Willy Grob product family
SUPERIOR. ‘Touch’ is equipped
with up-to-date developments. Besides
latest drive technology, functions
such as Speed Limiter SL BU
and Intelligent Drive System IDS BU
come up in a new graphic-driven
color touch screen, which replaces
the former panel with knobs and
switches.
The new touch screen system
allows the choice of different languages.
All functions are conveniently
described in the customer’s
preferred language. New features
such as enhanced IDS BU individual
allowing now the indiviual setting
for the cloth tension during weaving
machine stop or the newly
developped ‘Direct Speed Control’
System DSC BU which makes it possible
to automatically synchronize
the speed of the batching unit with
that of the weaving machine.
Furthermore, the new touchscreen
solution prodives the sparepart
catalogue on display permitting
a quick search of the required parts.
It is at any time electronically
available
at the right place.
As an option, a
meter counter can
be installed showing
on the display of
the touch screen the
actual length of the
rolled-up fabric.
With this concept, Willy Grob
sets new benchmarks in terms of
technology, equipment and customer
benefit.
The full product range covers
SUPERIOR Touch, big batch
tangential winder [high end version];
PREMIUM XL, heavy duty
tangential winder for up to 540cm;
RUNNER, tangential winder [budget
version]; INLOOM, tangential
winder placed inside the loom;
ACCUMOLO – tangential winder
with accumulation system; ZEN-
TRO, the center winder; and KAZ,
selvedge draw-off devices.
•
100 | The Textile Magazine MAY 2012

textile components
Luwa’s new axial
flow fan on display
at ITMA Asia
Luwa Air Engineering AG, Switzerland, a reputed partner of the
textile industry for many decades, will be presenting its innovations
at ITMA Asia + CITME 2012. It will present its newest product, the
Luwa Axial Flow Fan B510, which has been developed jointly with
the University Siegen (Germany).
By using today’s state-of-the-art numerical simulation software,
this new axial flow fan has been developed exactly as per Luwa’s
specification for the requirements of humidification plants. The impeller,
with its characteristic sickle-shaped blades, is designed for
optimal aerodynamic and most efficient operation. The benefits offered
by the new fan are less power consumption, higher fan capacity and lower noise level.
A team from Luwa India will be present on the company booth in Shanghai to demonstrate the new axial flow fan
and serve with competence system solutions at best value for money.
•
Hunziker products presentation
As designer, manufacturer and OEM supplier of
original temples for the leading weaving machine
manufacturers and weaving machine types, G. Hunziker
Ltd. is exhibiting at ITMA Asia the entire range
of its standard products as well as fabric-specific solutions
such as temple cylinders with needle rings, rubber
rings or rubber rolls, full-width temples and rods,
maintenance tools for temple cylinders, cutting devices
and different special products.
Hunziker has its special focus on the new temple
solution Piranha. By increasing the outside diameter of
each selvedge ring, the solution allows a significant increase
of the temple pulling power in the selvedge area.
This new system enables, thanks to the full interchangeability
of all selvedge rings, a wide range of
individual compositions according to the individual
requirements of fabrics. All rings are guided by an
invisible ellipse with flange.
The Piranha selvedge ring solution can be combined
with rubber rolls and rubber rings, as well as pinned
rings following the selvedge section.
More pulling power in the selvedge area means
straighter warp yarns in the reed section, hence less
machine stop due to yarn breakages, less enlacement
necessary, easier weaving of high-contraction fabrics,
and less fell beat-up in the selvedge.
Hunziker is well prepared to offer outstanding solutions
in the field of products.
•
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events
117-member Italian team for ITMA Asia
The Italian textile machinery
industry warms
up for the ITMA Asia
+ CITME exhibition in
Shanghai. This year the
Italian contingent is one
of the largest to attend the
show. In fact, there will
be 117 textile machinery
manufacturers and the
products are characterised
by the completeness of
the range and by the maximum
attention paid to
the efficiency and sustainability
of the technology
presented. From spinning
to weaving, from knitwear
to finishing, visitors from
all over Asia will be able
to see the high technological
level of ‘Made in
Italy’.
“China is our top market
in the world“, stressed
Sandro Salmoiraghi,
President of ACIMIT,
the Association of Italian
Textile Machinery
Manufacturers. “In 2011,
we sold Euro 450 million
worth of textile machinery
to Chinese companies
(or 25% of our export
business)”.
“The demand from
Chinese companies is
increasingly more sophisticated.
In China, our customers
need a qualitative
upgrade in the machinery
Mr. Sandro Salmoiraghi, President of ACIMIT
they use. Efficiency, cost
reduction and environmental
sustainability are
issues which come up
time and again in negotiations
for machinery sales
in China”, Salmoiraghi
added.
The ACIMIT “Sustainable
Technologies”
project, already presented
at ITMA Barcelona last
September, moves in this
direction. The green label,
placed on the machinery
made by companies participating
in the project,
represents transparency of
operation.
The label contains some
fundamental information
on efficiency and environmental
sustainability
such as, for example, the
machinery’s carbon
footprint. At the ACIMIT
Despite the difficult economic situation
of recent years, the Chinese textile and
clothing sector has continued to invest in
Western technology, especially in Italian
technology. With annual growth of six per
cent over the last five years, Italy is the
third largest textile machinery supplier
to the Chinese market.
press conference which
will be held in Shanghai,
the Association will introduce
a further development
of the project, which
is the certification of the
green label. At a time
when sustainability is
often used solely for marketing
purposes, ACIMIT,
by certifying its green
label, gives even more
substance to a project
in which over 30 Italian
companies have already
subscribed and are wholeheartedly
participating.
ACIMIT represents an
industrial sector comprising
around 300 companies
employing close to 12,400
people and producing
machinery for an overall
value of about 2.7 billion
euros, with exports
amounting to 80 per cent
of total sales. The quality
of Italian textile technology
is evidenced by as
many as 130 countries
in which Italian machinery
is sold. Creativity,
technology, reliability and
quality are the characteristics
which have made
Italy a global leader in
the manufacture of textile
machinery.
For details, visit: www.
acimit.it.
•
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appointments
S.P. Oswal is new
Textiles Committee
Chairman
Mr. S.P. Oswal, Chairman, Vardhman
Group, has taken over as Chairman,
Textiles Committee, Mumbai. With his
entrepreneurial drive, vision and
leadership, the Vardhman Group in fact
has the largest yarn manufacturing
capacity in the country with over
8,50,000 spindles. It also has one
of the largest fabric weaving plants
and the most modern yarn and fabric
processing facility in the country.
The group now employs over
22,000 persons at its various plants
spread across five States in the country.
It is also known for its professional
management and has a strong
track record of performance.
Besides being Chairman & Managing
Director of Vardhman Textiles
Ltd., Mr. Oswal is also heading
as Chairman the other group companies
like Vardhman Holdings Ltd.,
Vardhman Yarns and Threads Ltd.,
Vardhman Acrylics Ltd., Nimbua
Greenfield (Punjab) Ltd., etc.
He is also Director, UTI Trustee
Company Pvt. Ltd.; Member - Industrial
Advisory Council, Government
of Madhya Pradesh; Member,
Board of Governors – Punjab Technical
University, Jalandhar; and
Chairman, Sant Longowal Institute
of Engineering and Technology,
Sangrur.
Mr. Oswal holds a Masters Degree
in Commerce with Gold Medal
from Panjab University and has over
44 years of experience in the textile
industry. He has been conferred the
prestigious Padma Bhushan Award
by the President of India for his
distinguished service in the field of
trade and industry in 2010.
•
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appointments
Sanjiv Kamat takes over
as SDC President
Dr. Sanjiv Kamat is the
new President of the Society
of Dyers and Colourists
(SDC). Taking over
from Mun Lim Cheung,
Dr. Kamat is SDC’s firstever
President from India.
Dr. Graham Clayton,
SDC’s Chief Executive,
commented: “The SDC’s
ability to be effective is
immensely dependent
on its members and their
input, support and work
as officers, trustees and,
for a few exceptional
individuals, as President.
Dr. Kamat is one such
exceptional individual
with experience, connections
and knowledge that
will greatly strengthen
SDC during his Presidency.
His appointment has
generated quite a buzz of
excitement amongst those
I have spoken to. It is perhaps
his dedication to the
industry that gets people
excited the most”.
After completing a
Masters degree from
UDCT, Mumbai, Dr.
Kamat was awarded a
PhD from the University
of Leeds. He started his
industrial career in the
technical services department
of the Bombay Textile
Research Association,
and then was with Sandoz
(India) for 15 years in
Dr. Sanjiv Kamat
different capacities. He
continued an additional
two years with Clariant
(India), and since 1997 he
has been Chief (Marketing),
Pidilite Industries
Ltd., responsible for sales
of products to textile and
pigment powder user
industries.
Dr. Kamat has served
as a member on the
research advisory board
of the Manmade Textile
Research Association
and also on the Board of
Textile Studies at SNDT
Women’s University.
Dr. Kamat observed:
“I joined SDC in 1984
and became a Fellow in
1990. I was instrumental
in starting SDC India
and served as Honorary
Secretary, Vice Chairman
and Chairman of
the region. I was also a
founder trustee of SDC
EC India and served as its
Chairman Trustee for two
years. My appointment as
President epitomises the
transition of SDC towards
globalisation and honours
the work done by SDC
EC India. My objective
as President is to promote
the Society internationally
to as many coloration
hubs as possible, be it
textile, paint or leather”.
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