India’s woolen export orders plunge on eurozone crisis May 24, 2012 (India)
Wool and woolen garment exports from India have declined owing to the ongoing financial crisis in eurozone.
“Wool and woolen apparel exports are not doing well at present and the orders have declined by around 25-30 percent, mainly owing to the economic uncertainty in Europe and America,” Ashok Jaidka, Chairman of Wool and Woollen Exports Promotion Council (WWEPC), told fibre2fashion.
When asked about the benefit to exporters due to declining value of rupee, he quipped, “The weak rupee does not much benefit woolen clothing exporters because most of the material used in making the garments is imported. These imported raw materials too become expensive along with currency depreciation.”
To curb the decline in woolen garment exports, WWEPC is stressing on exploring new markets. “Our exporters are participating in various exhibitions in Russia and some African countries to study and explore the new markets there. The exports to these destinations have started, but not in a big way. These countries are not so strong economically, hence we do not get big orders from these places,” states Mr. Jaidka.
TN job work powerloom units plan online marketing May 24, 2012 (India)
Powerloom unit owners in Coimbatore district of south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, who work on job work basis for large fabric manufacturers, are venturing into online marketing.
The job work powerloom units in the district chiefly produce grey fabric, which is processed later.
Most of these job work units operate on a small-scale and are not individually capable of executing large orders. So, they are considering taking up bulk orders in groups.
“We have just started a small website and we are planning to online market our product through it,” Mr. Mahesh Kumar, Online Marketing Manager, Coimbatore District Job Working Powerloom Unit Owners' Association, told fibre2fashion.
Explaining the current method of procuring orders, he says, “Grey fabric is the only product currently produced by job work powerloom units. Traders procure orders from grey fabric buyers and then they buy yarn for us. The powerloom unit owners simply manufacture the grey fabric from the yarn and supply it to the trader who sells the same to buyers.”
Elaborating on possible benefit of online marketing, he says, “Our only product – grey fabric – has demand all over the world. So, we can supply the same wherever there is demand.”
India’s coir exports beat target in 2011-12 May 24, 2012 (India)
India’s coir exports surged both in terms of value as well as volumes during 2011-12. With a year-on-year rise of 28 percent in volume and 30 percent in value, exports hiked to 410,854 tons valuing Rs. 10.53 billion, thus surpassing the target of Rs. 8.5 billon set for the period.
Coir items, including coir fibre, handloom mating, rubberized and curled coir, coir yarn, geo textile and coir pith posted a positive export growth during the last fiscal year ending March 31, 2012.
With a 44 percent year-on-year rise, coir product exports jumped to 119,684 tons, which pushed up its export value by 67 percent to Rs. 2.03 billion.
Sustaining its past few years’ positive trend, coir pith exports showed a 31 percent year-on-year rise in export volumes at 206,424 tons and a 49 percent y-o-y growth in value to Rs. 2.215 billion.
In spite of a fall in export volumes, value of coir handloom mat and tufted mat exports grew by 9 percent and 16 percent to Rs. 2.35 billion and Rs. 2.77 billion, respectively.
The overall positive growth of the sector is in spite of the economic crisis situation in the EU and the US.
However, coir rugs and carpets posted negative growth both in terms of volume as well as value.
Punjab Dy CM assures investors in Textile Park May 23, 2012 (India)
The Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab – Sukhbir Singh Badal gave a personal commitment to make the ‘Malwa’ region a textile hub of India.
Mr Badal had a three-hour meeting with leading textile industrialists who have evinced interest in setting up textile units in the state.
These industrialists have been attracted by the Punjab Textile Park Policy announced recently by the state government.
They wanted Mr Badal to simplify the procedure and make the overall system investor friendly to attract investments in the proposed Textile Park.
Mr Badal assured these investors that they would not face any problems in setting up their plants in the Park and could be assured of world-class infrastructure, quality electricity and proper water supply.
Malegaon to have common fabric processing facility May 23, 2012 (India)
Powerloom owners in textile cluster of Malegaon in western Indian state of Maharashtra are in the process of setting up their own facility to process fabrics. The new facility would be the first government sponsored Common Facility Centre (CFC) in Nashik district.
Malegaon currently has two privately-owned process centres with a capacity to process a maximum of 250,000 metres of cloth per day, which is very small compared to an estimated production of about 10 million metres of grey cloth every day.
So far, around 70 percent of grey poplin manufactured in Malegaon was sent to process houses in Balotra and Pali in Rajasthan. But, a court order in February this year banned textile process houses in these two towns from discharging waste water and effluents into the Luni river.
The Rajasthan High Court asked the process house owners to install plants for treating waste water before they are again allowed to begin their operations. The court order resulted in closure of several process houses in Balotra.
To ease the situation for Malegaon powerloom owners, Dr. Baliram Hirey Hi-Tech Textile Cluster Services Pvt Ltd. is setting up the CFC, which will have a fully automatic and hi-tech process house. It will provide pre-weaving and post-weaving industrial assistance to the powerloom weavers.
Mr. Prakash Kankaria, Director of Dr. Baliram Hiray Hi-Tech Textile Cluster Services, told fibre2fashion, “We are installing a CFC sanctioned by the Government of India. In the CFC, we are going to install wet processors for bleaching, mercerization, etc.”
Apprising about current situation in Malegaon, he says, “There are around 200,000 traditional powerlooms in Malegaon which manufacture around 10 million metres of cloth per day, but the town does not have adequate facilities for pre-weaving and post-weaving treatments. There is also a lack of technical support.”
“Currently, we are installing automatic machines for various processes and then we will be installing the process house. This will enable us to produce fabric that is ready for dyeing,” he states.
The CFC is being established with an investment of Rs. 158.4 million. The Central Government is funding 80 percent of the capital and the state government is contributing another 10 percent.
“Our stake in the CFC project is 10 percent. We are 15 member companies and we have around 2 acres of our own land on which we are setting up the CFC,” he informs.
“The project will take at least one year to be completed and become operational. The members will provide their fabric and get it processed on job basis. This will help the powerloom industry to bloom in and around the town,” he opines.
“Currently, very low grade quality cloth is produced in Malegaon. So, the CFC would also act as a catalyst for upgrading the quality of the cloth from 50 GSM to 200 GSM. Companies can also take up manufacturing of denim fabrics, suiting, shirting, etc.,” he avers.
Tripura govt announces steps to boost silk production May 22, 2012 (India)
In view of soaring demand for its silk in local as well as international markets, the government of Tripura, a state in North-eastern India, has decided to introduce powerlooms at the state-owned silk producing units to enhance their productivity, Handloom and Industries Minister Jitendra Chowdhury said.
Earlier, only the neighbouring states sought Tripura silk, but now there is demand even in foreign countries, the Minister said. He added that the government is emphasizing on increasing the production of silk moth and upgrading state-run production units with powerlooms in place of hand looms.
The state’s silk turnover has increased almost 100 percent this year compared to last year, which enabled the state government to earn Rs. 10 million in revenues, the Minister said.
Mr. Chowdhury stated that mulberry cultivation is undertaken on around 3,352 acres of land in the state by around 7,000 cultivators, and the state is actively trying to increase this area.
The government intends to raise production of silk sarees in government-run units from 3,969 pieces to 8,750 pieces, this year, and has also decided to boost value addition through introduction of new designs, the Minister said.
According to an expert in textile designing, increased value addition calls for preparation and application of more beautiful designs, and local entrepreneurs should be motivated on this front.
Alok Industries net profit zooms in Q4 FY12 May 22, 2012 (India)
Alok Industries Limited, India's largest fully integrated textile company with a dominant presence in the cotton and polyester segments, has reported a huge 77.73 percent year-on-year growth in its net profit for the quarter ending March 31, 2012.
The company’s net profit grew from Rs. 1.6 billion during the last quarter of 2010-11 to Rs. 2.83 billion during the fourth quarter of last fiscal.
Net sales of the company grew to Rs. 25.95 billion during the January-March 2012 period, showing an 18.19 percent increase over net sales of Rs. 21.96 billion posted during the same period of last fiscal.
There was a sharp 40 percent jump in the company’s export sales, which increased from Rs. 5.8 billion during the last quarter of 2010-11 to Rs. 8.15 billion during the fourth quarter of last fiscal.
The operating Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) of Alok, too, registered a 28 percent year-on-year growth during the period under review.
Commenting on the company’s impressive performance, Dilip Jiwrajka, Managing Director of Alok Industries, said the company will strive to attain long term sustainability by optimizing existing capacities, expanding product portfolio including technical textiles, and improving asset turnover.
For fiscal year 2011-12, Alok’s total profit stood at Rs. 3.8 billion, while its net revenues were Rs. 89 billion. Export sales grossed Rs. 30.3 billion during the fiscal year.
Demand booming for India tasar silk May 21, 2012 (India)
Smt. Panabaaka Lakshmi, Minister of State for Textiles has informed that the Tasar silk production in India is increasing consistently over the years indicating ood global and domestic demand for Indian Tasar silk.
Government has been implementing various programmes for the development of tasar silk in the country through Central Silk Board (CSB). Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme Catalytic Development Programme (CDP), assistance is being extended for tasar silkworm seed production, systematic plantations, rearing activities, reeling and marketing of products.
Central Silk Board is also implementing developmental projects for Tasar culture. Vanya silks, including Tasar silk, are being promoted as “Green Silk” and “Organic Silk”, in the domestic as well as export markets.
Govt. of Karnataka has asked for measures to protect mulberry sericulture including a financial support mechanism for the farmers when prices of cocoons fall below costs of production.
In order to protect mulberry sericulture, the Govt. has focused on increasing the productivity of the cocoon and raw silk and thereby makes sericulture remunerative. Government has taken steps to strengthen the R&D in sericulture to develop sturdier varieties of host plant and silkworm seeds.
CSB is also implementing the Centrally Sponsored “Catalytic Development Programme” (CDP) in collaboration with State Sericulture Departments in a package mode for development of sericulture and silk industry. Under CDP, incentive is also provided for production of quality bivoltine silk yarn.
The States have been advised to strengthen the extension support to the farmers for better technology transfer and absorption to improve productivity and quality of silk.
Government has also permitted import of modern Automatic Reeling machines and Dupion Reeling machines along with their accessories and packages at concessional duty of customs to bring down cost of production, and make the sericulture and reeling sector competitive, to help the sericulture farmers and reelers.
Rieter to present all 4 Spinning Systems in China April 13, 2012 (China)
On its exhibition stand at the ITMA Asia + CITME 2012 (June 12th - 16th, 2012), Rieter will be demonstrating its competence across the entire spinning process and presenting all 4 end spinning systems live on the stand (Hall W2, Booth No. A10).
For the upstream fiber and spinning plant preparation, Rieter now offers 1 000 mm cans throughout thereby ensuring higher efficiency and convenience in the spinning plant. Multimedia presentations will convey to visitors a striking impression of the advantages and features of the new Rieter E 80 combing flagship.
The know-how relating to financing, spinning mill planning, use of the right technological elements, selection of the correct spinning process as well as many other factors is necessary to achieve success in the operation of a spinning plant. Rieter is presenting all this expertise at the ITMA Asia + CITME 2012.
Numerous highlights and innovations can be admired live on the Rieter exhibition stand. Here a brief overview:
• Rieter provides the opportunity to see the new 1.5 m wide C 70 card with the biggest active carding area. • The new E 80 comber with unrivaled quality and production levels will be introduced by Rieter with a multimedia presentation. • The G 32 ring spinning machine (operational) produces ring and compact yarn – quality controlled by the ISM individual spindle sensor and the SPIDERweb mill monitoring system. • Excellent rotor yarn with yarn-like piecers will be produced by the new fully-automatic R 60 rotor spinning machine (operational). • The new double-sided J 20 air-jet spinning machine (operational) will be introduced for the first time to the Asian market. • What the benefits and characteristics of the 4 spinning systems mean for downstream processing can be experienced by visitors in the Technology Corner. Here end products and fabric samples of the 4 Rieter yarns are available. • The latest retrofits and high-quality original spare parts will be presented by Rieter’s spare parts experts.
The Exhibits: C 70 Card, E 80 Comber, 1 000 m Cans from the Card to the Comber, G 32 Ring Spinnning Machine, R 60 Rotor Spinning Machine, J 20 Air-Jet Spinning Machine, Technology Corner, Spare Parts and Retrofits
Rieter develops and manufactures machinery, systems and components for producing yarns from natural and manmade fibers and their blends. As a leading manufacturer, Rieter covers the entire spinning process and can therefore develop optimal solutions for customers
Rieter
Curtains come down on Islamabad fashion week April 13, 2012 (Pakistan)
Fashion lovers of twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi had a mesmerizing experience at the three-day Islamabad Fashion Week that ended on April 12, 2012.
The fashion week provided an opportunity to up and coming designers of Pakistani fashion industry to showcase their innovative textile and apparel creations.
Local and international haute couture was displayed on the ramp during the week. The vast variety of outfits and styles presented at the event included both formal and casual wears.
Lakhany Silk Mills, known for fashion, creativity, style and quality, presented its latest designs that had artistic and aesthetically appealing look.
BNS, an Islamabad-based design house, showcased some innovative outfits, while menswear collection presented by Jazib Qamar had intricate detailing and evident experimentation.
The label of designer Erum Khan offered a collection of both eastern and western apparels that exuded elegance.
Pure London to take part in Great Fashion Cycle Ride April 13, 2012 (UK)
The Pure London team will be taking part in the Great Fashion Cycle Ride from London to Paris with the Ethical Justice Foundation (EJF) this July.
The 300 mile cycle ride from London to Paris will pass through picturesque countryside, crossing the Channel and continuing through the small villages and medieval market towns of Northern France and finishing at the Eiffel Tower.
EJF is a registered charity established in 2000 to empower people who suffer most from environmental abuses to find peaceful ways of preventing them. EJF are involved in a number of valuable campaigns all over the world, including one particularly close to the heart of the fashion industry, the 'Pick your cotton carefully' campaign.
Katy Davis, Event Manager of Pure London commented “A few months ago I agreed to cycle with some of my colleagues from London to Paris to support the EJF. We have chosen to champion the ‘Pick your cotton carefully’ campaign, with all funds raised through the ride going directly to help the EJF in their plight to eradicate child labour and the deadliest pesticides from cotton production, alongside promoting organic alternatives. We’re all really looking forward to the challenge – it’s going to be a true test of strength and stamina.”
EJF’s fashion campaign is focused on ending the use of forced child labour and harmful pesticide use in the cotton industry. Whether it is state enforced, or child trafficking, millions of children around the world face severe exploitation in cotton production. EJF also campaigns for a global ban on the most toxic pesticides which in total kill over 20,000 people a year.
Katherine Ross from the EJF commented “EJF is proud to be working with Pure London on The Great Fashion Cycle, raising awareness and essential funds for the charity’s ‘Pick Your Cotton Carefully' campaign. Cotton should be improving lives, but too often this ‘white gold’ brings misery to some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.
Pure London has supported EJF’s campaign for the past four years, and we are thrilled to announce four members of the team are saddling up for EJF’s Great Fashion Cycle in aid of the world's unseen fashion victims. Linking Europe's top two fashion cities – London and Paris – EJF’s Great Fashion Cycle is the ride of a lifetime! The Pure London
Bengal’s Baluchori to traverse from sarees to gowns April 13, 2012 (India)
Baluchori, the traditional handwoven silk and cotton sarees from Bengal, known for their motifs and designs from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, will now be transformed into modern Baluchori outfits, including skirts, dresses and gowns, thanks to an initiative of the West Bengal government.
The government of West Bengal has approved a project for modernization of the state’s textiles and has loped in fashion designer Agnimitra Paul for the same.
Speaking to fibre2fashion, Ms. Agnimitra Paul, revealed, “I was asked to do something with Baluchori sarees by Manas Bhunia, Minister for Small & Micro Industries and Textile, Government of West Bengal. He wanted me to do some work where we can change the look of Bengal handloom and make it more modernized and more marketable.”
“Based on a report submitted by me, the textile department has given a green signal for the project. I will be working hand-in-hand with the designers already working under the textile department. I will be sharing my ideas as to how we can market Baluchori better so that the weavers, who are right now in a very bad condition due to fewer sales of Baluchori sarees, can benefit,” she explains.
“I have worked on some outfits like gowns, long skirts, long coats, dresses and drapes of Baluchori. People do not know that Baluchori can be worn in a different way other than a saree. In fact, Baluchori can be worn as a piece of the trousseau. Baluchori in the form of a gown looks amazing. We just need to market it at the right place at the right time,” she exclaims.
Informing about the scheduled launch of the project, she says, “The Baluchori programme would be launched on May 8, 2012, which is Pochishe Boishakh, the birthday of Rabindranath Tagore. After completion of the Baluchori project, we will also work on other projects for promoting Bengal handlooms as well as Bengal textiles and artifacts & handicrafts.”