Bangalore, the city known for its IT industry, is one of the important silk and garment manufacturing hubs in India with more than 1,200 garment manufacturers and exporters. Today, overseas buyers view Bangalore as an important location for sourcing of value added garments after New Delhi and Mumbai. Total garment production here is estimated around Rs. 4,200 cr of which 80 per cent is exported. Garment industries are also concentrated in nearby districts like Bellary, Belgaum, Shimoga and Dharwad. Karnataka produces over 20 per cent of the national garment production and 45 per cent of the national raw silk production. Its silk exports constitute 24 per cent of the total value of silk goods exported from India.
Due to rising labour cost, the manufacturers are applying new technologies to help them remain ahead in today’s competitive markets. The current supply and demand factors provide very conducive and favourable business and market environment for the technological investment. In such scenario, there is a big need to the industry to upgrade itself with the latest technological developments taking place worldwide. That is why for providing these technologies under one roof Garment Technology Expo was organised recently in Bangalore.
Garment Technology Expo (GTE) 2018, one of the leading international trade shows for textile industry, took place at Dr. Prabhakar Core Convention Centre, Bangalore from August 18-20, 2016. The event brought together a large number of industry experts from this sector where all recent market trends and business prospects were closely discussed and a wide range of garment machinery, accessories and support services from all over the world were showcased.
This year, around 300 companies including leading manufacturers and suppliers garment machinery and accessories from India as well as abroad participated in the show. Nowadays, the market sentiments are good which was also visible during the show. Indian exporters are looking for investing in automatic machines as the industry is facing a lot of labour problem these days. The show this edition received very good response and around 10,200 players from not only Bangalore and nearby regions but also, Kerala, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Andhra Pradesh, Tirupur and Delhi visited the show. Besides, this year some visitors from Sri Lanka were also present at the event.
An impressive range of technologies including CAD/CAM, sewing, spreading, fusing, laundry, finishing, cutting, printing, embroidery, testing equipment, knitting, dyes & chemicals, software solutions, spare parts, attachments, accessories & trims, support services were displayed at this well-attended business event and convenient networking scopes were provided to all participants. The show facilitated smooth and easy interaction between noted technology experts and business decision makers from this sector as well.
Almost all the major international brands and Indian agents were present during the show. Some of the prominent stalls in the technology segment Juki, Brother, Yamato, Siruba, Typical, Jack, Maqi, Hikari, Pfaff, Duerkopp Adler, Morgan, Optitex, Richpeace, Tukatech, Gerber, Bullmer, H&H, Loiko, Sakho, Macpi, INA, Typical etc. were a few of the companies displaying their latest offerings during the show.
The show this edition received mixed reactions from the exhibitors participating in the same. In terms of organisation the show in 2018 was better than 2016. Though when compared to its last edition in Bangalore the show this year witnessed a reduction in visitors from Tirupur knitwear hub. But the quality of visitors which comprised the serious buyers from leading companies from all over India especially Bangalore was very well appreciated by the participants.
HENRY BINDHAK
Dürkopp Adler AG
Durkopp Adler has always been participating at all GTE shows. We are showing our stateof- the-art sewing machinery. We have recently introduced a 755, 755 S and 756 models. They come with step in motors and lots of first time features. The show has been good.
All our important buyers came, which is most important for us. Buyers even came from Delhi and North India. We had a very good echo. We have already sold a 755 S model.
PETER WINGERTER
PFAFF Industriesysteme und Maschinen AG
We are into manufacturing of automatic sewing machines. We are showing a pocket setter for two colours which runs at a high speed of 4,000 RPM and offers productivity of 2,600 pockets in a 8 hour shift.
This is a good solution for exporters. We met a good number of interested buyers. We consider our participation successful.
YOSHIHITO MAEDA
Yamato Singapore
Yamato is a manufacturer of advanced sewing machines and have been participating at GTE Bengaluru since the first edition. The show is getting bigger. The buyers are now demanding more automation.
But our policy is to offer semi-automatic machines, which do not need a skilled operator and requires very less training. Our experience has been good and quality buyers are visiting our stall.
JANOS HORVATH
Wilcom International
Wilcom is a developer of embroidery software and have been participating at most GTE editions since the last 23 years. So far it has been good and buyers have been flowing in. Although, this show is smaller than GTE Delhi, we got to meet many buyers from all over India.
We had shown new software in GTE Delhi 2018 and have updated it four times since then. Buyers who visited us here have liked the updates. We are satisfied as GTE is a good platform for us.
AZUMI NAKAYAMA
Brother Industries Ltd.
Our head office in Asia is based in Hong Kong so I work there. I had a very nice experience here and there are a lot of things where I should work after getting the feedback. I have lots of ideas about marketing but I didn’t have enough exposure to Indian market till attending this exhibition. So, it’s very valuable experience for me. Our new machine S7250 has very unique features.
It is very valuable and useful for our customers. We have made live demonstration of our latest machines plus IOT system. At GTE many people visited our stall and gave us positive feedback.
BOB ZENG
Jack Sewing Machine Co., Ltd
We are manufacturers of advanced sewing machines. At this show, we are showing our new A5 and C5, which are lock stitch and over lock machines. The left over thread in our A5 machine is very short, only 3 mm as against 7-8 mm in conventional machines.
According to our estimates, there are more buyers in the India Agencies – Jack stall in GTE Bengaluru than we have seen at other stall at GTE Delhi. We are satisfied with our participation.
JANE XU
Richpeace Group Enterprise Limited
We are regularly participating in GTE. Here we are showing two machines. One is the latest in embroidery machines and has five applications in one machine and another is an automatic sewing machine, where the stitch quality is very good.
The quality of buyers is very good and has turned up in large numbers. We have already received three orders for the embroidery machines and two for the sewing machines and expect to receive more orders from this show.
PAWAN KAPOOR
IIGM Pvt. Ltd.
We have been participating at GTE Bengaluru since the first edition. Earlier, our grouse was regarding infrastructure, but with this convention hall, that seems to have been sorted out. The first two days have been very good, with quality buyers visiting from even outside Bengaluru.
Since this show is held every two years, there is sufficient excitement. Exhibitions which are spaced out have a far better effect than those which happen too often. Most of the important companies have visited the show. We also put more efforts to bring in latest technologies. You can see we have displayed all latest technology for garment making.
MAHAVEER LUNIYA JAIN
Gauge Sewing Machines & Spares
We have been participating in GTE Bengaluru since the last five editions. Gauge is a spare parts supplier, offering solutions from cutting till finishing. We also market a top Chinese brand called Shangong, which is into sewing machines.
We have also introduced a brand called Sewpower, which specializes in knits sewing. This has been a great show as we have met a lot of prospective buyers. The industry seems at its best as of now.
MADHU KAPOOR
Apparel & Leather Technics Pvt Ltd
GTE is a proven show. They have attained certain level of standard in terms of facilities and formation. We at ALT are coming up with an objective here. It’s not for business or record sales. There is so much of research and developments happening in the factory that we have made GTE a forum for sharing the same with factory owners. In last two days we met variety of customers coming with their raw material, operators, technical people and trying their problems and going back with viable solutions. Technology in my opinion in India has to be relevant.
Whatever technology applies if its ROI exceeds 12 months than it’s irrelevant as technology up gradations happen regularly. As exposure is so wonderful if our customer has achieved success we have guaranteed our best. All the equipment and new devices, systems we are displaying has everything determined by saving. Today all our sewing machines are with direct drive which has 70 per cent power saving.
ANIL ANAND
Hari Chand Anand & Co
The show is really good. In terms of visitors nearly everybody was there but none of the owners visited. Everywhere, I am feeling this that owners do not come, I don’t know why it is happening as they are the decision makers so they should know what is happening in the market. Yesterday there were people from Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Tirupur; geographically we had people from everywhere. Everybody knew this exhibition is basically where you have garments manufacturing solutions. So, those who wanted some expansion have come. Our focus is always bring different technology as we have not displayed one single needle or basic machine here.
We don’t believe in that because Chinese are there in that segment. You have to add value to the customers and his products and bring down his cost of manufacturing, so that is where we are fitting. So some kind of automation, process automation, attachment, with how can you do better productivity. This has always been our focus in the industry. In 2018 there will be growth in the industry, but garment sewing machines suppliers are going through bad times.
MANJIT SINGH SAINI
Paramount Instrument Pvt. Ltd
We participated in GTE last year also. The show this time is not that great though we got good no. of customers but it’s lesser than last year. Though buyers’ quality was good on first two days but last day there were very few serious buyers. We have displayed some of the new things from our offerings. We always present next generation models in all the exhibitions. We have showed seven-eight new equipment and they have fared well. Quality and efficiency are the two ways the industry can survive. We are showing a one particular machine which we have brought especially for Bangalore.
We also have ConditionMASTER IA, which is a lab conditioning unit; basically whenever you have to test at a laboratory a fabric should be conditioned. Today, in every country, fabrics testing require different specifications. With this technology we have surpassed all standards and started giving it to commercial labs. For us, last year was very good in terms of business as we have put up many labs in India and abroad.
RANDEEP SAHANI
Brother International (I) Pvt Ltd
GTE is happening after two years in Bangalore and a lot of changes have happened in India in the last one year from GST, demonetisation to textile policies. But clear thing I could see in India is that most of the customers coming here are expecting to know what benefit new technology or machine can give them. Bottleneck today is to improve their profitability. Export incentive from govt. has also reduced so their profitability is very thin or may be negative. So they are very serious to understand how any supplier can help them into profit. Even Brother has changed its strategy to support this industry. Our caption for the exhibition is Digiflex grows the profits.
It increases the efficiency and productivity. Here we have Digiflex Bartack, Digitex Button Hole, Digitex Button Stitch and Digiflex Pattern traker. All the new models are on same philosophy to support the customer on efficiency and productivity. Most of the customers who have visited are from Bangalore but one positive thing I could see is that no. of customers from Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata witnessed improvement. There were few from Delhi also but Tirupur based customers reduced due to market being a little slow there.
ANSHUMAN
Sakho Enterprises
For me the show is excellent, I am very happy to meet people here, which is good. Almost everyone comes here, we greet each other, and we just show them something new so it’s a good communication through this exhibition. No. and quality we are happy with the buyers’ response. It’s just meeting people and creating awareness. It’s like people gathering to you, you then explain and convert into customers. You don’t have anybody to tell you how it’s going to be your customers. So, it’s basically making yourself strong in your product and then marketing it. In terms of technology we have only displayed button feeders, which is our strength for so many years.
Button feeder was something as a person I introduced in a big way into the market. Our offerings became one of the major attractions in this exhibition. We know what exactly the things we were missing and as per customers feedbacks we have changed a lot of things. The technology comes with fewer parts now.
MANPREET SINGH WALIA
INL International Technology Pte Ltd
This is our second time participation. The show is OK not bad. This time footfall is little bit less which was very good last year. But still we had very good quality customers, which got us some very potential enquiries. Not only from Bangalore but customers have been from outside, like Ahmedabad, Delhi and even from Ludhiana. Business wise 2017 was neither good nor bad but still it was OK for us. Our new system actually increases the production in real time. As its takes a lot of time to create awareness about something new hence we are participating in all the exhibitions to do the same. This is the area which is not necessity right now but in the future it’s compulsory. You have to give more knowledge basically teach them and it’s not like sewing machine or finishing machine you have to buy.
India is slowly adapting it; I always request my customer to put up only one line and test that. After that I usually get repeat orders as they keep on adding, so I am very happy with that. In next two-three years such technology is going to be a necessity where India will invest. Overall, it’s a good show.
VISHAL SHER
Studio Next Technology Pvt. Ltd.
This year, the magnitude of the show has diminished a bit. If you compare, last year, exhibitor wise, it was bigger. This time, the number of visitors is less; we were expecting some more visitors. Most of visitors were from Bangalore, few from West but North I couldn’t meet anybody. Tirupur was a little missing this year. This time, we are trying to fish out the companies from the middle segment.
Online sales of garments are going to increase by 30 per cent till 2020. So, production has to happen hence we are not only looking at export segment but domestic also. We launched a prototype of our manual spreader machine last edition in Delhi, which has already been installed now. With this machine, our customers can increase productivity two times while reducing the manpower at a small price Rs. 3 lakhs. This machine replaces the manual work of spreading. Apart from this we have also displayed cutter from China which is a value for money. As a company, we’ve been able to achieve 80 per cent of our target set in 2018 as we’ve been growing at a pace of 25-30 per cent every year. We feel nowadays there’s a huge scope in the domestic market.
PRAKASH K
Juki India Pvt. Ltd.
This time it was really good and we are able to see some positive crowd here. Many people have visited us, and may be around 200 visitors were good customers. There are some new projects coming in especially in Hyderabad, so many visitors came form that region. Also customers from Tirupur, Chennai, have been here. Since last year we have seen a lot of tough time but still the industry is moving positive direction. Especially our sales also increased so we are looking forward to see more no. of new factories coming up. Now industry is getting GST refunds, so we are expecting more growth in coming months. We have displayed wide range of sewing machines with digital system, and with that we are supplying IOT. We right now are also promoting JaNet, which enables quick problem solving, skill up support, reduction of setup work, quick response for maintenance, visualization of factory.
Basically, here this real time production data are collected and checking can be monitored and will help in operator training. So, whatever the programme we are keeping in it that can be transferred from one machine to another. It’s a cloud based concept. Apart from the machine they have to pay for the software and panel.
SHIVALINGAPPA N.G.(SHIVU)
Loiko Global Private Limited
This is the second time we are participating here in GTE Bangalore. We are very happy with the response this time. In terms of products, we’ve upgraded the button feeder and have launched colour sensor. Now, the buttons on both the sides are flat but the machine won’t come to know which one is top and which one is bottom, but there is a slight colour difference, for which we have developed a colour sensor. It was demanded by a customer from Indonesia but we are supplying this in India also. As a company, since May, our business has picked up and things are looking very positive. 2018 should definitely be better than 2017 for the industry.
The scarcity of skilled labour has pushed our business and more and more people are going for these kinds of labour saving machines. Compared to earlier, the exhibition has improved a lot but there’s still a need to improve the infrastructure.
SAMEER PAURIYAL
Tukatech Inc – Gurugram
Response is good; we met a lot of domestic garment manufacturers rather than exporters. Many startup companies and new entrepreneurs have been coming in, which is really a good sign. Two years back we saw a lot of people from export segment coming in but there were a lot of domestic people. There are a good no. of customers coming from outside but unlike last edition this time not many people from Tirupur have come and they are mainly from inand- around Bangalore. But overall response has been quite OK, so nothing to complaint. When it comes to tough market period in 2017, we remain unaffected because we don’t cater to only one industry so as of know if exports are taking a head we are doing well on the domestic part. We had positive growth last year, one thing that is actually coming up with domestic brand and exporters is ‘3D solutions’ because there’s push from the buyers.
Now more and more buyers from Europe and America are pushing for 3D samples rather than physical samples, because it cuts down on the lead time and designer can see what a garment is going to look like in a day rather than conventional process of making the sample, and shipping it which takes couple of days.
SANTOSH LADE
Rotondi Group Srl
Experience was good. This is for the first time we are participating directly, and got very good response from our customers. It’s a game of presence and people are now recognising that there’s a brand with good quality Italian product so it was a good experience for us. Whatever expectations we had it got fulfill, the clients visited and we discussed some business here. So, basically it was a good platform. Bangalore is now going with value added products that’s the reason we are focusing on jackets and formal trousers. Last year was good for us because we have increased our business by 30 per cent and we got few very good customers. Industry wise for last two years market has been slow but since during last few months the project which was on hold has become live. Some of them are in the final stage, maybe in six months we will be in a good position.
When it comes to technological investment and expansion right now Mumbai, interiors of Maharashtra are growing. Basically, these days labour is very expensive so they have to go for automation. So, domestic people are also looking for automation and manpower saving. Our products quality is better than other players operating in the market and their products are expensive than us.
ADITYA L. GUPTA
Alps Sewing Machines
We are here every year and this is better than the last time. The footfall was good and quality wise it was better. Here we are displaying our newly launched Amara machine from Handi Quilter and new range from Superior Threads. Then we have Pfaff creative icon, which is a new machine and the Husqvarna Viking Designer Epic. These are the two best machines in the world today, with 120 new features not available on any other machine in the market. As far as target is concerned, we are not saying that we aren’t targeting the Indian industry. Maybe the industry is buying it but then, it’s very new in India. People are comparing this with a multihead embroidery machine or a mattress making machine, which is not anyhow a quilting machine.
So to move from that concept, I’m having problems. We are being compared by consumers with multi-head embroidery machine and mattress making machines. So that is my bone of contention here that I’m trying to explain, they both are different things. People are taking time to understand this.
JAGADEESH
Amith Garments
We are regularly participating in GTE Bangalore and Delhi for last four years. It’s difficult to meet all the customers at their places so we are here to meet them all together and present our offerings under one roof. Quantity wise, good visitor footfall is there but quality wise it’s a little down. Almost 60 per cent buyers are from Bangalore and rest 40 per cent from Hyderabad, Maharashtra, Chennai and other nearby regions. There are so many new entrants to the industry visiting here, which is a highlight. At GTE this edition we have displayed digital pick counter, for fast, convenient and accurate determination of the thread density of woven and knitted fabrics as well as wire meshes. All this was done manually earlier but now we have equipment which allows you to scan and count threads within one minute.
Not only exporters but domestic garment manufacturers are using this technology. In fact we are getting a lot of repeat orders from the customers as they are more concerned about the quality these days. Overall, the exhibition venue is good, dates are also OK but in terms of infrastructure they can provide us better facilities.
VINOD KUMAR
Sri Subramanya Enterprises (Sunrise)
We are participating after a gap of two years. The response was very good. We don’t see being the only player displaying multi head embroidery as an advantage; we are doing well and that’s why we’re surviving. In terms of technology, we have a lot of new developments. All our machines are unique and have got the best features. For the first time, our company has introduced something unique in India; it’s a liquid colour spray with embroidery. No one has created something like this for embroidery; it’s a great advantage for our company. This is a first in the history of embroidery.
We are using pigment dyeing ink. We don’t need any pre or post treatment in this except. There’s no wear and tear. The machine is called spray painting with embroidery. We are the sole agent for South India and the machine is manufactured by Lejia China. Our brand is Sunrise, together it’s Lejia Sunrise.
ASHWATHA K
UK Enterprises
This is the second time we’re participating in this exhibition. The response here has been very good. We are showcasing button feeder with a lowest price and low maintenance mechanism than the other ones available in the market. It is easier to use and does not require maintenance. It is a Chinese machine which we’re marketing here in India. Compared to the other machines being showcased here, ours has low maintenance cost and lowest spare parts.
Price wise, it is approximately Rs. 1 lakh cheaper than other machines. The response to this machine has been splendid. Currently, we are supplying this machine only in Bangalore but we’re looking to expand in the future.
SHASHANK RUIWALE
Indigo Prints Smart Pvt Ltd
We are into digital textile printing solutions. We offer end-to-end solutions including paper, inks, software, etc. It has been a good exhibition. The organisers have worked hard and put sincere efforts to create awareness of this show. We have had good number of buyers from even Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, etc. We would like to see this show grow, so that more exhibitors and visitors participate. We are fully satisfied.
We suggest that there should be a separate and fixed time for students as it creates problems when we have buyers in our stall. The students are coming in big numbers. Smaller number would not have been an issue. Based on past experience, organisers can decide the week and time of day.
SUKHWINDER SINGH
Guruson International
We produce garment dyeing, washing and laundry machines. The garment dyeing machine has a low liquor ratio and consumes 70 per cent less water and offers chemicals saving of up to 50 per cent, while also providing higher productivity. For the first time we are participating in Bangalore edition.
We have had genuine buyers visiting our stall. The buyers from Bengaluru are technically sound. We are really enjoying our experience and expect to receive orders from these buyers.
GIRI EKN
S. S. Trading Inc.
This is for the second time we are participating in GTE Bangalore. The response is good. The quality and quantity of visitors is encouraging. Most of the owners, managers, and production people all interested in our machine and we got couple of orders also. Here we are displaying most economical automatic machine for pocket setter and comes with the Brother machine. Apart from that we have bottomhamming for knits, button feeder and embroidery machine.
For the first time we have displayed very economical spreading machine from China, this is the value for money. We got a lot of enquiries for that. Nowadays a lot of investment is happening into cutting and spreading so that’s the area people can save a lot of labour. Probably next six months are going to be very important for our expansion in Bangalore.
M SRIDHARAN
Optitex India Pvt. Ltd.
Optitex is a marketer of CAD systems in 2D as well as 3D. We have a market share of almost 80 per cent in India. Optitex fulfills needs for design as well as fit and are pioneers in virtual fitting rooms. We have the biggest Indian brands like Madura and Arvind on board with us as well as big exporters. We are regularly participating in GTE both in new Delhi and Bangalore.
This show has been a great opportunity for us and is better than 2016 edition. We have received many inquiries and are impressed with the response.
