The 28th edition of the Garment Technology Expo (GTE 2019) which ran from February 22-25, 2019 at the NSIC Exhibition Complex, Okhla, New Delhi saw a rich mix of technologies on garment stitching and processing on display from around 800 brands and companies. This is Indian subcontinent’s largest show for apparel technology, with unparalleled representation from all segments of the sector, from over 20 countries. All the industry stalwarts were present at this platform under one roof.
The show was inaugurated with traditional lamp lighting ceremony by HKL Magu, Chairman, AEPC (Apparel Export Promotion Council); Rajiv Dewan, President, Garment Exporters Association of Rajasthan (GEAR) and leading technologysolution providers participating in the exhibition along with organisers of GTE, which included Inderjeet Sahani (Chairman & MD), Ricky Sahni (Jr. Managing Director), Ambrish Chopra (Director), Rati Sahani (Director).
While speaking during the inaugural ceremony Magu said, “Last year, the exports were declining due to the introduction of GST but the situation is now better. We are seeing steady growth since past few months. In January 2019, exports saw a growth of 22 per cent. The exporters can only grow with the help of the latest technologies and we are thankful to GTE for accommodating leading machine manufacturers from all over the world to the help.”
The B2B Expo provided a single point meeting ground for the garment manufacturers and technology providers to discuss, source and see new launches & latest development in garment & knitting manufacturing technologies industry under one roof. The growth of the expo in terms of the increasing number participants from across the globe and the increase in overall size of the exhibition speaks for the fruitful & appreciable role played by GTE for the apparel & knitting technology in India.
This edition, more no. of companies including leading manufacturers and suppliers of garment machinery and accessories from various countries including Germany, Japan, Taiwan, China, Korea, Turkey, Italy, USA and India etc. have participated in the show. The four-day expo hosted around 26,260 trade visitors including exporters and domestic manufacturers from various parts of India & neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka etc.
The profile of the exhibitors participating in the expo included companies dealing in CAD/CAM, sewing, spreading, fusing, laundry, finishing, cutting, printing, embroidery, testing equipment, knitting, dyes & chemicals, software solutions, spares parts, attachments, accessories & trims, support services, trade publications, etc. One can find anything and everything that goes into making a garment at this expo.
The show this edition received encouraging reactions from the exhibitors. Most of participants were positive about the current market conditions as well as about the show. In terms of organisation the show in 2019 was better than 2018. When compared to its last edition in New Delhi, the show this year was almost equal in terms of exhibitors’ numbers but witnessed an increase in visitors’ footfall. This shows that the apparel and textile industry is coming out of the impact of low market sentiments and turmoil, which was witnessed by in India after demonetization, GST implementation and reduction in Duty Drawback rates in 2017-18. The quality of visitors which comprised the serious buyers and decision makers from leading companies from all over India was very well appreciated by the participants.
The main attraction for the huge visitor numbers was the opportunity to see the all the latest technologies related to garment production under one platform. This edition of GTE saw among exhibitors, renowned companies from across the textile and apparel value chain exhibiting like, IIGM, HCA, Magnum, Mehala, ALT, E.H. Turel, Ramsons, Veit, Juki, Brother, Pegasus, Siruba, Hikari, Gerber, Tukatech, Richpeace, INL International, Dürkopp Adler, Pfaff, Jack, Zoje, Dhaval Colour Chem, Shima Seiki, Aura Embroidery, Groz-Beckert, RI Texsolutions, Apsom Technologies, True Colors and many more. Live demonstration of machinery were put up by many exhibitors. GTE has always been an integral trade platform cum showcase for these companies, when launching new technologies and equipments.
Some glimpse of the show…
Some glimpse of the show…
Exhibitors’ Comments…
This year we are focusing on automation, how to deskill the operation and let machine do more work. Human beings have limitations but machine could be run 22-24 hrs and generate income for you. New from us are semi-automatic machines like bottom hemming for T-shirts which is fully automatic and many other devices to increase production and deskill the operation. At GTE, day-one was fine but after that footfall increased fantastically and almost all major factories’ representatives have visited us.
They are very interested in technology being displayed by us. Everybody is facing the same issues like lack of operators and rising cost. So, we have been giving solutions in right direction. We see India’s export growing as countries like China, Bangladesh are facing their own issues which makes order shift.
We just launched our new software version called Embroidery Studio E4.2. This is the 3rd release in the E4 series; E4.0 was launched 3 years ago followed by the E4.1 a year later. This time, with E4.2, the key focus is that it’s a 64-bit system. The latest software is not as feature rich as compared to the previous versions, there are about 100 improvements, all infrastructure improvements; working in the background, making things faster and simpler. We’ve been in India for a very long time.
Last year was very interesting. We hope that we will reach 5000 legal licenses this year, we are very close. What we found this year was that the majority of our sales came from existing customers. So we are very pleased that after so many years of piracy, the customers now are buying software from us. GTE this time has been quiet. We’ve mostly seen our existing customers and would like to get some new customers. This year, we’re celebrating our 40th anniversary but we are not planning to launch any new software, just some minor technical updates.
The focus for our company here is software, cutting and spreading machines. On the machine side, there is nothing new displayed at GTE but we will present our innovative cutting technology at Texprocess in May. Overall, the GTE 2019 is okay. I guess for the Indian companies, it’s a good opportunity to see what’s new and socialize a little bit.
The Indian market is very important for us, it’s not the biggest one for us but it is there at 3rd or 4th place. Business here was a little down last year. I think this year, we will see increased numbers and it’ll be better. We will launch a new cutting technique which we will reveal this year.
This time at GTE, we’re trying to visualize the day-to-day happenings in the factories of our customers. Basically, Brother is focusing towards fourth industrial revolution by introducing Brother Network System IOT in which the industrial DigiFlex sewing machines are successfully connected to cloud server by which we can extract data of production in real time and take real time action resulting in efficiency improvement.
These days, our customers are suffering from increasing of costs like labour, material and so, we would like to support our users and customers to eliminate such wastage as much as possible and contribute at the same time to productivity. We would really like to contribute to the Indian garment industry to make even more growth. Customers are coming to GTE and we are sharing with them what all advantages they can enjoy; to increase their productivity and efficiency.
We are providing advanced sewing solutions for processing jeans. Here we are displaying a lot of new technologies at GTE. One of the major highlights is PFAFF 3589 Programmable automatic pocket setters with two machine heads. It gives consistent high quality and high output- also when using two machine heads with separate colour threads. Forms and templates may be easily changed within a few minutes. It improves quality, saves manpower and time. It can perform 2600 medium sized pockets with 350 stitches in 8 hrs (Single needle).
Another technology highlight is 3819 waistband attachment system for jeans and work cloth using the waistband-materialfrom- the bobbin method and it has automatic skip stitch detection. The customized sewing kits in combination with puller feed ensure the reliable transport of waistband together with the trousers. Overall, we got a lot of customers here, now we just have to wait for after service post exhibition to finalise the deals.
Jack was established 25 years ago and today it has become a big company which has acquired brands like Vi.be.mac, Maica, Bullmer and few other Chinese brands as we wanted to give complete package to customers. In future we may add more brands under our group. The machines which are available today no matter Chinese or Japanese all are same, but who can give better service matters, this is what Jack focuses on. This time we are displaying M-80 big size pattern sewing machine, along with laser cutting.
In future, this machine will take place of embroidery machine. We also have A6F Computerized needle feed lockstitch machine. The show is good, there are so many people visiting us here. In terms of organisation also it is perfect.
This year we are displaying solutions for not only garment industry but also home textile, furniture and automotive. We have here embroidery machine, sewing machine, quilting machine, and sewing preparation machine. Last year we came under SG Group in China which covers so many popular brands worldwide. As you know Richpeace, embroidery machine is our first product so we displayed one sample six-head mixed chenille embroidery machine because the latest machine is too big to be brought here at the show.
Turnout is really huge and serious people looking for new technology solution have been here. Overall, the show is good as we sold two machines on day-one itself and then we got to meet many old and new customers here. Customers are not looking for just one machine but complete solution for increasing their productivity.
It is not our first time here; we participated 2-3 years ago also. The response has been okay. Honestly speaking, this booth C hall is not up to standards, A and B halls are much better in terms of visitors footfall. More and more people are stopping there and not coming here. We have presented exclusive solutions to meet the current needs of the Indian market as well as future market needs. Such solutions are provided by the company’s MACH2S WHOLEGARMENT knitting machine that offers the flexibility of producing WHOLEGARMENT knitwear using every other needle as well as conventional shaped knitwear using all needles.
Besides, we are also demonstrating the latest version of SHIMA SEIKI’s 3D design system SDS-ONE APEX3. The Indian market is good; growing every year and is having so much potential. Among the South Asian countries of Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, only India has consumers, the rest are only exporting. The future is bright in India.
We are the only company focusing on shirts automation equipment here. We are very confident of catering to India market which is really huge. We are looking forward to meeting some potential customers at GTE and also to understand the market tendency here. We were running out of time, which was the reason we couldn’t bring our machine here this time.
As now Jack has purchased MAICA, so we will focus on to produce our machines in China to reduce the cost. India is a very important market which is the reason we are dedicating a lot here. GTE is a fabulous show, as there are many visitors and participants here. We are getting very good response from the market.
We are here every year, I was not personally here last year but I’ve been coming to India now for 21 years. Over the years, condition wise, not much has changed but the industry has changed a lot. The most wanted by customers is the newly invented unique technology of the CBS-13 machine. Main features are the patent-protected concepts. Machine is controlled by a unique combination of mechanical and electrical components, allowing sewing at high speed. Full control of all the sewing parameters and button properties is achieved by utilizing several patent-protected concepts.
We also have the usual lineup of machines. As for the attendance here, I would like to say that there are fewer crowds than 2 years ago. The big challenge is to establish the new machines back here in the Indian market, which is not easy. India has always been an important market for us but it’s not yet among the top 5. The industry lost its competitive edge but I hope it’s coming back now.
We are displaying Industry 4.0 technologies from Siruba Machines like Electronic button holing machine, elastic band joining machine, button sewing bar tacking machine, single-needle direct-drive lockstitch machine with thread trimmer. The new IoT in one of the machines displays real-time status making the production more transparent. This year we are having big booth with our agent Mehala and I feel when compared to last year, this edition, visitors footfall is high.
India is a very big market for Siruba though in last five years competition has increased a lot from machinery suppliers. We are supplying our new innovations to make the Indian garment industry more competitive and also increase their profitability by bringing down their manufacturing cost and increase productivity. Last year was OK for us in terms of business, but in 2019 we hope to grow more here.
Our company is from Shanghai, China. We have more than 300 kinds of sewing machines, and here we are presenting Top and bottom feed extra heavy duty lockstitch sewing machine, and Long Arm cylinder bed transverse seam lockstitch sewing machine. India is a good market so we hope to increase our sales this year.
We have been associated with HCA for last so many years and with their support India has become one of our major sales markets all over the world. The show is OK, we met a lot of quality customers from various parts of the country here. As we offer high quality machines, which is the reason why we keep getting repeat orders from our customers in India.
We are manufacturing washing machines and dry process machines in Istanbul, Turkey since 1979. Starting from the 2,000s, we started exporting to Asian market. Our biggest market is in Bangladesh followed by Pakistan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and Mauritius. Now, we are coming back to India with Magnum Resources. This year, our goal is to export 70 to 80 machines; it means that 2.5 or 3 mn has to be exported to India. We want the Indian market to see our quality, technology and choose our washing machine.
I know there are few good local manufacturers but, our technology and quality has an edge, and our customers will see that. In total, we already have 85 machines in India. We are specialising in denim washing processing and can set-up the turnkey project. The GTE show is very good to keep in touch with the customers; overall it has been good for us for sure. We met a lot of potential buyers here.
This year 90 per cent of our machines are latest one. Single needle and UBT machines, overlock and bar tack machine, heavy duty machines and many others are new. This edition, we have a very big booth, and it’s a new start for this very big market. In terms of business our sales got double last year. For this year again we are targeting to make our sales double. We are giving complete spare parts back up to our agents, even in 2019 we are opening up our office in Noida.
Now, we have very strong back up in India, where we will support our agents and customers with better strong commitment. This is my 3rd GTE, and every year I see some brands coming, some going. But Zoje has come forward strongly by each passing year. It is a very good exhibition, which gives us good opportunity to cater this overseas market.
Ours is a sewing machine company from Taiwan specialised in making sewing machine attachments like tape cutter, metering devices, elastic feeder, puller, and supplementary devices such as stackers, Auto Jig, and many more. India market has slowed down in last two years due to currency demonetisation and some other economic problem, but this year it has started picking up.
For us leading markets are China which comprises 50 per cent sales in garment industry followed by Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, South America like Brazil, Peru, and Colombia. I have been coming to this market for last 20 years, and feel that people now are looking for solution, not quantity. We met a lot of our existing customers at GTE.
From now, we are trying to get more involved with our Indian counterparts. To create a project, we need teamwork. Our target is to get the right solution at the right price on the right time. Whenever we install a system, we also teach them on how to use the machine. We have been in China, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan and in Europe. We’ve been late in coming to India but I think that this is a good opportunity to start. Factories in India accepting our technologies, even the people in direct opposition have been asking about the system, which is very clever.
For me, India is important because it gives me a chance to bring my knowledge, to share it with my colleagues. Also, the business, India is the next country with big opportunities. The power of India is the knowledge here. The country is more organised than Bangladesh. This is our first time in India, I’ve had good friends and after coming here, I’m just asking myself why I didn’t come here earlier, for both the business and the human side. I feel that it has been very encouraging.
Based on a lot of R&D, we are displaying some new sewing machines at this exhibition. Our machines quality is same as Japanese brands. Our Computer Direct-Drive Intelligent High-Speed Overlock Sewing Machine (HX6800TD) is one of the latest innovations. For this overlock machine, we’re the first brand to create a computerized intelligence. We have a lot of confidence in our sewing machines; once people use our machines, they’ll continue to do so.
In 2018, we prepared a lot for the Indian market and we have big hopes with HCA that we can work together to help the local manufacturers of readymade garments to enjoy the advantages of better machines and increase their productivity. We will continue to work on bringing more and more new technologies. We are regularly participating in GTE exhibition and this is one of the best show, where all major brand are present.
Maqi is one of the biggest sewing machine companies in China having over 1,000 employees. We manufacture almost all kinds of sewing machines like lockstitch, overlock, interlock and special sewing machines. This time at GTE we are displaying all our new models for the Indian market. We believe that our new models are going to be really popular here in near future.
The Indian market is really important for us; which is the reason we come here almost every year. The show is improving; this time we got some potential quality buyers. We are looking to launch more new machines by Maqi during CISMA China in September.
ISAMU brand sewing machine origins from the heart and soul work of team in Taiwan, so we produce spare parts assembly with 100 per cent Taiwan made parts and control the quality with highest standard manufactured in Taiwan. ISAMU machine is no. one in Taiwan, there are many products like Thread feedoff- arm flat seamer interlock sewing machine, Super high speed multi module cylinder-bed interlock sewing machine, Small Cylinder bed interlock machine with direct drive etc. This for the first time we are penetrating into the Indian market.
We are displaying many new machines here. As nowadays China is having a trade war with US so we believe in future many garment factories’ order will shift to India, which makes it a very important market for us. Earlier we were selling in Taiwan, China, Europe and America but with this show we are introducing us in India. The show is OK but in future they should provide better power supply and infrastructure.
Our company is from China, this is for the first time we have come to India to promote our machines with HCA. Ours is a unique machine called LS6021 Automatic String Thrusting Machine, which does traditional manual work quickly tired low efficiency 20-30 seconds per cord and also automatically decreases the intensity of labour work and increase the efficiency by about 30-55 per cent.
India is a growing market in garment segment, maybe in future Lensh will become a popular machine here. HCA is a well-known company in the country having very good customer base which ultimately is going to help us to establish ourselves in India. We look forward to have bright future here.
Supreme is a world renowned award winning technology company engaged in the development, production, sales and service of automatic sewing machines, and other automation solutions. We strive to provide our customers with the most efficient machines to maximize productivity and cost savings in their manufacturing processes. HCA is our biggest agent here in India.
At GTE, we are displaying solutions for denim like pocket setter, loop setter and also we have specialised button whole machines. We are presenting our machines at HCA booth, and they have invited potential customers from all over the country. This is my first time attending GTE but I hope India’s going to give good business for our machines with the support of our agent HCA in future.
We have introduced few high speed embroidery machines here. According to past two days, response has been very good. The market is showing sign of improvement which is a good for us and our agent to do better business here. Last year was unfortunately average for us in India. It’s a worldwide situation not only in India but also in China, European countries and that is the reason everyone suffered last year. Response wise, the show became better day-two onwards.
Most of the customers visiting are old, yes there are few new faces and we received few new potential enquiries also. So, we are very confident of performing better this year. Besides, in 2019 we are making a new tufting machine for the market.
In this edition we are covering comments of some of the foreign exhibitors’ taken during the show. Remaining Indian exhibitors’ views will be published in the next issue.