Some of the leading technology providers across India strongly believe that they should come together and do technology/machine expo to make it according to their needs, more impressive, successful and cost-effective. Held from 17-20 February in Ludhiana, the second edition of GMMSA (Garment Machinery Manufacturers and Suppliers Association) Expo successfully reaffirmed this belief, notwithstanding that few days earlier some of the participants were sceptical of whether the event should take place or not. With abundance of circular and flat knitting machines and parts/accessories, the event also witnessed all major players of stitching, printing machines, trim suppliers, etc. One of the most positive aspects of the event was the strong notion that Ludhiana has now overcome the aftermath of demonetization and also many weak winter seasons – manufacturers are now in the process of investing again. Team Apparel Online was present at the fair for all four days and interacted with several participants and visitors to take the pulse of the market.
Interestingly, most of the players (big as well as medium) were having both flat and circular knitting machines on display at the event. The concept was to provide maximum solution to the knitters under one roof while those who still stick to one particular segment advocated for their specialization. RR International (Flying Lion brand), which recently opened its office in Kolkata to tap Bangladesh market, started supplying circular knitting machines only since last year though it had been supplying flat knitting machines for many years. Rajat Jain, Director of the company also observed interesting things about visitation, “Most of the factory owners visited the event with their sons. Although generation next was earlier inclined towards real estate or other business, now they seem to be equally interested in knitting machines. I feel it is a very positive sign.”
While discussing with some of the exporters as well as domestic players of Ludhiana, it was observed that they are going to expand. Exporting tees to EU, clients like Superdry and emerging exporter Chahat Sudera, MD, Satya Knitwears (associated with knitting machine supplier firm PK International) says his company has a capacity of one lakh tees per month and with an investment of Rs. 30 crore, the company is all set to come up with a processing plant. Similarly, Namit Jain, Partner, Kay Jain Processors is also investing Rs. 7 crore in expanding the manufacturing capacity of knitting machines. Pawan Goyal of Anand Export is also planning to expand its fabric manufacturing capacity which is currently 60 tonnes per month.
All were happy with the response at GMMSA – be it stitching technology giants like IIGM, Mehala Machines India, EH Turel & Company, or the printing expert Grafica Flextronica, or the knitting part specialized companies – Groz-Beckert and Alpex Exports…
In regard to the new technology highlighted at the event, 3+3 system in flat knitting machine was a big attraction of Ramana International. It can simultaneously knit two full fashion pieces with up to 2×50 inches in the tandem mode and 100 inches in the couple mode. Most of the time, the company’s booth was packed with visitors. Elex International also came up with its own assembled flat knit machine that has mechanical selection of needles. It is similar to Taiwanese machine but very cost-effective. MH International is a 3-year-old company that has brought Foshan Jinxin, China to India. It displayed single jersey knitting computerized colour auto striper with jacquard circular knitting machine which claims to have some patents. The company focused only on circular knitting machines.
“We had 134 booths from 20 countries which displayed almost 2,000 kinds of products. Last year we had 40,000 visitors in all, whereas this year even on day three we noticed 39,000 visitors. Every exhibitor seems to be happy with the event. Such events come as a ‘motivation’, especially after the slow market created by demonetization. We had visitors from all over the country, even from South India and Ahmedabad.” – Narinder Kumar, MD, Narinder International & President, GMMSA
In flat knitting, long bed width (106 inches), which helps to get three panels, was liked by most of the visitors while another flat knit machine which can make shoe upper as well as garment was also liked. Narinder International also displayed variety of machines in various sections. Its flat knit machine can be used on various gauges from 7 to 14. It requires less investment for knitters for variety of production. High speed was another feature of some of its machines. Many other companies do focus on more speed and for that they have used quality raw materials as well as improved technology. Vrims International Inc. too have many such features in its flat knitting machines be it more bed size, accuracy of pieces from both sides, easy adjustment of size even by operator, etc. Raman Sethi, MD of the company told, “We have added new kinds of winder which costs almost half compared to similar products already available in the market.”
Specialized machines, apart from basic machines, like transfer jacquards and stripers are also witnessing good demand, which once again reflected the growing optimism about the revival of Ludhiana. Confirming this observation, GP Singh, MD of KP Exim Inc. & VP of GMMSA was also happy with the response of visitors. “Yes, there is reasonably good demand for such specialized machines but for overall market I feel that we have to wait for 3 more months to talk about the impact of demonetization as well as revival of market.” The company highlighted flat knitting machines of Steiger for stoll making at the fair.
