Eyeing Profits, Weavers Turn to Electronic Jacquard Machines

Source from “THE TIMES OF INDIA”

SURAT: After selling one lakh conventional power looms in scrap due to adverse impact of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demonetisation in the country’s largest man-made fabric hub of Surat, weavers are now beginning to invest in Electronic Jacquard weaving machines in the hunt for profits.

Most of the power loom weavers in Sachin GIDC and Hojjwala industrial estate in Sachin who either had scrapped mechanical jacquard and power loom machines or sold them in the market are now shifting to manufacturing on the highly advanced electronic jacquard machines. Over 250 power loom weavers had applied for subsidy under Technology Up-gradation Fund scheme for electronic jacquard looms with an estimated investment to the tune of Rs2,000 crore in the next two years.

At present, 1 lakh mechanical jacquard machines manufacture about 25 lakh meters of cloth per day. Sachin Weavers Association president Mahendra Ramoliya said, “ electronic jacquard weaving machines are imported from China and Germany and there are ingenious manufacturers as well. When it comes to cost factor, digital jacquard weaving looms are low cost and give maximum profit. Electronic jacquard weaving machines can manufacture a variety of fabrics ranging from garment, hosiery, sari, dress material, bed sheet and specialised fabric for footwear too.” Ramoliya added, “When one worker can operate four mechanical jacquards, a single worker can operate eight electronic jacquard weaving machines. Also, manufacturing cost is lower by Re1 to RS1.5 per meter compared to mechanical jacquard.

Raju Patel, a power loom weaver in Sachin, who has ordered 20 electronic jacquard weaving machines, said, “After Goods and Services Tax and demonetisation, the condition of weaving sector has deteriorated. We want electronically advanced machines for quality, quantity and to reduce cost.