Key Priorities for Further Development of The Indian Textile Industry Were Identified

Key priorities for further development of the Indian textile industry were identified at a three-day Uster ‘Quality University’ event held in Goa recently.

Delegates at the summit explored the challenges and opportunities facing the Indian textile sector, and the message from the event was that India’s textile producers have a clear picture of the challenges they face, and have a determination to make the improvements needed along the pathways to future prosperity.

Uster’s second Quality University themed ‘Opportunities and challenges for the Indian textile industry’ attracted 24 high-level participants, including owners and directors of 19 mills from Gujarat, one of India’s most important textile regions. Delegates discussed the major issues for the industry’s future prosperity, with a panel of experts offering valuable insights.

The panel on ‘multi-faceted improvement plans’ concluded that even in an age ruled by technology, human factors were critical for success in Indian textiles.

The panel on ‘challenges along the entire value chain’ concluded that cotton is sure to remain the most-important fibre, and the large cotton-growing capacity in India forms a solid basis for the entire sector’s success on global markets. “But, there should be increased efforts to use this strength as part of an added-value campaign spanning the whole industry, with an emphasis on quality and increased investments in downstream processes such as knitting and finishing. In this way, the industry would achieve greater economies of scale and improve its overall competitiveness internationally,” it added.

The discussion under ‘tackling cotton contamination’ concluded that Indian cotton suffers from continued problem of contamination, and significant improvements are achievable, from picking to ginning, with proper attention, training and consultation. “Examples have shown that real improvements are possible as the spinners’ requirements are better understood and implemented – but it will take time,” the panel concluded.

Panelists at the Quality University also discussed ‘automation – and human skill shortages’. They mentioned the Government’s skill development initiatives. They said, “At the moment there are gaps in fabric production, processing and garment making, while spinning has large capacities. Each stage in the production chain must work in unison to achieve consistent quality – which is still a big issue.”

The expert panelists also proposed that India should maximise the market appeal of S6 cotton and yarn – premium products from Gujarat – through a special branding campaign.

Greater automation in manufacturing, increased use of yarn quality control technology and international market targeting were also identified as key priorities for the Indian textile sector.

The summit was organised by the Switzerland-based Uster Group, a leading high-technology instrument manufacturer of products for quality measurement and certification for the textile industry.