EMBiQ to make Indian embroidery industry profitable

Embroidery has always been the forte of the Indian apparel and home-furnishing industry. However, without correct planning and execution, embroidery can render the end product costly. In spite of the recent global advancements, India utilises barely 50 per cent of the true potential of this domain, since all improvement efforts till date have focused on cutting, sewing and other functions, with very little attention being given to computer embroidery.

EMBiQ stands for Embroidery iQ or Embroidery Intelligence Quotient. It offers a range of consultancy, training and skilling programmes for the apparel industry which help them leverage the strengths of computerised embroidery and gain a stronghold in the competitive global markets. With the long experience and passion for this domain, its founders endeavour to help the apparel industry utilise the true potential of embroidery be at the top of global garment trade.

Recently, in a bid to introduce best global practices and technological up-gradations in the embroidery sector, Ajay Tamta, Minister of State for Textiles, along with HKL Magu, Chairman AEPC and Sudhir Dhingra, Chairman Orient Craft Ltd, unveiled a unique wellness programme by EMBiQ, aimed at the overall development of the workers employed in the sector in the presence of Sunil Arora, MD – Impulse, Kavit Ahlawat, EMBiQ and leading players from embroidery fraternity. The move is expected to bring relief to almost 45 mn people.

“What EMBiQ has offered is unique in the industry. The programmes have not been offered by any existing institute. If we have to make our industry grow, we have to invest in training & development. Any issues that the garment experts have regarding GST & duty drawback, will be addressed by the government very soon,” said Ajay Tamta, MOS Textile.

In India, after agriculture, textile is the largest employment provider. While the sector has been facing stiff competitions from its SE Asian neighbours, the embroidery segment still remains India’s forte. Despite the prevalent world status, the sector has been experiencing new difficulties, largely due to technological obsolesces and fatigued workforce. There is a dire need to bring in new methodologies to arrest this fall.

Taking this into consideration, EMBiQ commissioned an expert panel to conduct an in-depth study of the varied working conditions and associated health risks of all departments of the apparel industry. Following their recommendations, a unique EMBiQ wellness programme was designed. Some of the highlights include the following. Firstly, it is a comprehensive programme covering lifestyle changes, nutrition, yoga and exercises, which can be followed easily to overcome the health issues faced by the workers in the sector, specifically, while performing their job-role. Secondly, a well-researched diet plan has been tabulated which is both effective and affordable. Thirdly, it includes safety guidelines aimed at avoiding accidents in each function. Fourthly, keeping in mind the immediate need of a wellness module, it has also been decided to make it available to all workers for free. It is a token of gratitude for their immense contribution towards developing the embroidery sector.

In times when the apparel and textile industry has been facing stiff competition, the focus must always be on out-of-the-box thinking for improving efficiency and productivity. EMBiQ wellness module is a step in that direction.

While speaking during the event HKL Magu, Chairman, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) said, “Apparel industry is the biggest employment generator in the country with computer embroidery being its forte. It is imperative that the vision EMBiQ has shared and quickly implemented across the industry. It is the tool that can help the Indian apparel expert face the challenge it is facing today.” “At EMBiQ our vision is to empower the apparel industry with the Power of Knowledge by bridging the gap through technical and management education which has been neglected so far in the embroidery domain,” said Vikas Kapoor, Co-Founder.