ATE Enterprises makers of a wide range of textile machinery and accessories across the textile value chain, is uniquely positioned as a 'one window solution provider'. However, now the company has extended its reach to garment manufacturing and is aiming to offer a wide range of cutting edge garment value addition machines.
G V Aras, Director, ATE Enterprises says, “We entered garment machinery last year. Now, we represent brands like Morgan Technica from Italy and Juki from Japan amongst others. Plus we are in embroidery machines. We have special finishing machines and want to get into automation and value addition machinery.” Aras says the textile and apparel industry, which includes both domestic market and exports, is projected to grow at 8.7 per cent CAGR to reach $210 billion by 2022.
He points out that while in the overall textile machinery segment, there is an imbalance in the value chain, investments are still happening in spinning and weaving and not in further processes. In garment machinery sector, Aras feels embroidery machines are becoming popular and they have observed good demand for both single and multi headed embroidery machines. Similarly, in the garment industry there is good demand for finishing machines, used for giving a special sheen to the garments. Even in the denim industry, laser wash machines and dry gas washing plants are gaining popularity. “This year because of the strong euro and dollar our imported machinery business has been partially affected. Those who export garments are getting the benefit of a weaker rupee. So they don’t mind investing in machinery and we look forward to doing good business. Moreover, to increase salability of products in international markets garment manufacturers are looking to invest in value addition and finishing machines.”
Aras feels TUFS should have a special quota for processing with some interest subsidy. In recent years most TUFS funds have been eaten away by spinning. So, spinning is very modern and strong while other sectors have been neglected. Weaving is improving somewhat. But processing badly needs investments. “India can become a hub for textile manufacturing. But the industry is totally fragmented. European joint ventures are needed in processing, since people can build machines here. If machines are available locally, investments will also happen. There should also be TUFS for machinery industry which will lead to interest subsidy. R&D should also be given incentives,” Aras explains.
