Spinning mills to opt for consortium buying of compact retrofits

The spinning industry in this region is preparing to make compact yarn and compete in the global market.

Industry sources told Business Line that compact yarn manufacture is not new to Tamil Nadu mills. “There are at least 38 lakh spindles with compact attachment. But this is low when compared to the state's total spindleage,” the source said

A majority of the existing compact retrofits is understood to be of German make. This situation is expected to change with members of Indian Texpreneurs Forum (ITF) signing a trial order with a Chinese manufacturer H-Fang for cost effective compact technology.

D Prabhu, Secretary, ITF told Business Line that the Forum members have placed an order with H-Fang for compact retrofits on 50,000 spindles in 37 mills in the first phase. “After the trial run, we intend to extend this on another 10 lakh spindles,” he said, adding “the mill sector can enjoy both – cost advantage and better service through this consortium, volume buying proposition.”

Gao Yong, General Manager of H-Fang, who is in the city on a marketing drive, recalled his visit to some six textile mills in this part of the country 8 years back. “At that time, the textile machineries that were installed in the mills here were better than those in China. Now, China has leap-frogged technology wise; mills in China produce compact yarn, solo and slub yarn, melange yarn but the mills here remain where they were then.”

He however pointed out that China is looking to India for import of yarn of 60 counts and below. But the domestic mill sector, it appears is not keen to export yarn at present as the prevailing rates here are said to be better than the export market rate.

“But the Indian textile industry cannot afford to be laid back. It will have to look at compact yarn as we perceive that in three years from now, the demand will only be for compact yarn. The industry has to gear up to sustain and survive,” said S Vaidyanathan, Director, Dogetech Group.

Yong said that H-Fang is preparing to establish a service and spares back up in India. “In the long run, we will look at setting up a service station here.”