India less affected by downturn – VP, Dornier Machinery

10 Nov '09

2 min read

2008-09 turned out as a tough year for Indian textile industry. Textile machinery companies faced either slowdown in demand or negative demand scenario due to the adversely affected global economy, which trapped the textile industry too. Sales of almost all companies registered slump and some experienced almost 40-50 percent reduction in demand which led to a 30 percent drop in machinery production in India.

Fibre2fashion took the opportunity to speak to Mr. Nitin Bavkar, Vice-President, Dornier Machinery India Pvt. Ltd. In turn he shared his views on recessionary scenario in Indian textile industry and possible recovery from this downturn. Dornier Machinery is a manufacturer of different types of textile machines like weaving machine, rapier weaving machine, air-jet weaving machine, film stretching machines, dryers and textile finishing machines.

According to Mr. Bavkar, India was comparatively less affected by downturn in demand than its counterparts in other countries. Indian mills which are less dependent on exports and are having more of domestic sales have faced less difficulties comparatively than those where export has higher share in sales as domestic demand didn't experience high fluctuations and was comparatively stable.

Mr. Bavkar is quite optimistic about recovery in Indian market and said, “Things are certainly improving in domestic market and especially in weaving segment as the industry has started showing positive signs in investment from terry towel and denim manufactures and this may in turn bring encouraging scenario for weaving sector and weaving machinery manufacturers”.

While trying to elucidate his views on competitiveness of Indian made weaving machinery to its foreign equivalent and willingness of Indian market to invest in comparatively high priced machines Mr. Bavkar said, “Undoubtedly foreign weaving machine manufactures are better placed technologically.

Speed provided by foreign machines is still not offered by our manufacturers as the foreign companies invest a good amount in R&D, which is still not a trend in Indian manufacturing firms. Secondly Indian manufactures have limited manufacturing capacities and they don't manufacture in bulk”, he said.

As far as investment is concerned, businessmen won't mind shelling out higher prices for machineries if the prices are justifiable, with respect to the project's viability and if the ROI matches the expectations and benefits offered by a higher priced machine, than prices will not be an issue.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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