Takashi Kumo
Manager, TA marketing, sales division Mimaki Engineering Co Ltd
Mimaki is considering investing in the Indian market
The Japan-based Mimaki Engineering develops, manufactures, and distributes wide-format inkjet printers, cutting plotters, and software. Takashi Kumo, manager, TA marketing, sales division at Mimaki Engineering Co Ltd shares details about the latest developments and future plans of the company.
What is the size of the market for global textile and apparel printing industry? At what rate is it growing?
We estimate global textile and apparel print market is approximately 1.17 square metre (Textile Printing is 39 Bm2. Digital is 3 per cent) with growth rate of 120 per cent-130 per cent.
What are the digital printing trends in terms of colours, prints, fabrics, inks for textile and apparels?
We estimate pigment ink will increase because of its simple dyeing process.
Please share details of your last two fiscals and your expectation for the next two years.
We recognise that the dye sublimation transfer printing in textile and apparel has been largely increased by TS500 Series and TS300 Series printers. We will drive sales of digital textile printer from now.
How do you propose to cultivate the textile and apparel sector with your printing solutions?
Our strategy is to offer variety of solutions which meets customer's requirements from entry level to high end. Mimaki acquired La Meccanica, Italian high-end textile machine manufacturer, in October, 2016.
Which are your major markets? Which markets are growing is Southeast Asia?
Our major markets are India and China. We think Bangladesh and Thailand are the important textile markets in South East Asia.
As a manufacturer and supplier of ink-jet printing and cutting machines, which niche is India the weakest in? Which is the strongest niche?
We are on the way to develop Indian market through our sales subsidiary in India.
What are the latest innovations in each of these machinery types?
Stability of fabric transport in high speed printing and high picture quality is the latest innovation.
What is the percentage share of digital printing on garments, home textiles, and signage?
We estimate Mimaki's market share in signage application is approximately 25 per cent. The market share in home textile and garments would be almost zero.
What are the latest technological innovations at Mimaki in digital printing solutions for textile and apparel?
The latest innovations are MM700-1800B, Tiger-1800B, and TX300P-1800B. MM700-1800B equipped with 16 print heads (4 x 4 staggered layouts) and achieves highest level print speed 800 square metre/hour (Draft mode), 560 square metre/hour (Standard mode). Tiger-1800B equipped with 16 print heads (8 x 2 staggered layouts) and achieves print speed of maximum 385 square metre/hour. TX300P-1800B is an entry model in belt transport type textile printer line-up.
As a supplier of machinery, what are the issues that you face in terms of imports and what would be your 5-point solution to address those issues?
Import tax rate and infrastructure for domestic transport are the two main issues we face.
Which new markets do you plan to explore? Do you plan to invest in the near-future? If yes, please share a few details with us.
Mimaki is considering investing in the Indian market.
What is the budget allocated towards R&D at Mimaki annually?
The development investment is 7 per cent of the sales amount.
Published on: 03/12/2016
DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.
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