Leading Japanese sewing solution provider, Yamato, was present at the Texprocess. Yamato sells both, basic machines and automats, in the Indian subcontinent and while the basic entry level machines are coming out of the production facility in China, the high-end automats are being produced in Japan. Shogo accepts that Yamato’s sewing machine generally lies on the top of the price curve, yet he justifies, “We believe in the concept of quick payback and not in quality and price compromise. Even when our machines are slightly expensive, our customers can produce their garments cheaper. One example is UTQs, thread knotting device on a interlock machine, which eliminates the need of securing the seam later on a lockstitch machine.”
There is also a rise in the phenomenon of garment business shifting from Asian countries back to Europe and USA in the name of reducing lead time as well as containment of effluent and environment degradation. Shogo agrees, “Asian countries, especially China have become very expensive. Therefore, the production of some high-end categories have returned to USA.” However, he further asserts that the basic garments will continue to remain sourced out of the subcontinent, because of the matchless labour cost advantage. “India and Bangladesh are still our top priority. China is too expensive now, it is time for India and Bangladesh to play a bigger role” says Shogo, who also negates that the riots and accidents are a major deterrent to the industry in subcontinent.
Yamato is famously known for its continuous effort to produce its labour saving devices and it is the reason Shogo is undeterred by the competition, “Continuous innovation is our motto and we believe that giving new solution to the industry is our duty.” Yamato was the first Japanese sewing machine manufacturer to receive an ISO certification; and to ensure optimum quality all machines go through various tests for needle straightness while sewing, oil leakage, screw tightness, thread tension control and many more key quality parameters are tested rigorously before the machine is stamped for fitness.
