Long before sustainability became a headline-grabbing trend, Kannapiran Mills in Coimbatore was already living it. As early as the 1980s, this forward-thinking textile mill had embraced the ethos of zero waste, pioneering practices that many are only now beginning to adopt.
by Mr. P. N. Santhanakrishnan, Director, Aspire Excel Automation and Mr. Ramprakash, Loyal Vijay Marketing
Today, that commitment continues—with technology as a key enabler.
“If 100 kilograms of raw cotton enters our mill, about 94 kilograms come out as yarn —one of the highest conversion ratios in the country, “The last bit of coarser yarn is converted into industrial gloves and lamp wicks or Villakku Thiri as it is known in Tamil. Even the fabric wraps of the cotton bale is opened and the fibre is reused for coarser count rotor spinning. shares Mr Srihari Balakrishnan, Managing Director of Kannapiran Mills. The last remains of the cotton dust and mud waste are used for agri manure and cattle feeds. We proudly call ourselves a ‘nothing is wasted’ company.”
A Strategic Shift Towards Smart Automation
This philosophy of efficiency naturally guided the mill’s decision to implement autodoffers from Aspire Excel Automation. The goal: reduce start-up breaks and minimize waste.
“With manual doffing, we were experiencing start up breaks of above 5%: explains Mr Srihari. “After installing Aspire Excel’s autodoffers, that number dropped below 2% which is a dramatic reduction—not just in waste, but in cost. It reduced multiple gaitings and in turn reduced repeated splicing attempts in auto winders.”
The impact of fewer breaks extends far beyond the spinning process.
“It’s a ripple effect,” he says. “Fewer breaks in spinning means fewer in the autoconer, fewer in warping, and fewer in weaving. That 0.1% savings in yarn waste translates into 1% more fabric realization during weaving—which results into significant financial advantage.”
Choosing the Right Partner
Selecting Aspire Excel wasn’t a rushed decision. It came after careful evaluation.
“We visited mills that had autodoffers from both Aspire Excel and other brands,” he recounts. “We observed performance over a couple of days, interacted with the operations staff and consulted with the decision makers. We were impressed with the technology and responsiveness of the Aspire Excel team.”
That initial trust has since grown into a strong partnership.
“We started with two machines,” he adds. “They performed well, and that gave us the confidence to expand. Today, we’ve installed 32 autodoffers across our two units, “adds Mr R.Seenivasahan, Vice President of Kannapiran Mills.
Going Beyond: Bobbin Transport System (BTS) and More
Encouraged by the success of the autodoffers, Kannapiran Mills has also begun adopting Aspire Excel’s Bobbin Transport System (BTS).
“We’ve currently installed the BTS on three Ring Frames in one unit for coarser counts and evaluating to add further 17 machines and in another unit we have installed on 12 Ring Frames for medium and fine counts.” says Mr Seenivasahan. “Just like the autodoffers, the BTS is easy to operate—even for semi-skilled workers—and along with their autodoffers, the dependency on manpower got reduced.”
The Aspire Excel advantage isn’t just about product innovation. It’s also about the people behind the machines.
“Their team is always a phone call away. They’re quick to respond, open to feedback, and work closely with our internal teams,” Mr Srihari notes.
Fostering a Culture of Mutual Growth
Kannapiran Mills has long believed in supporting emerging entrepreneurs in the textile machinery space, prioritizing passion and hunger to serve over just brand legacy.
“When we partner with a company, we don’t just look at the product. We look at the people,” Mr Srihari says. “Aspire Excel Automation’s leadership has that drive. I believe both their team and ours have learned and grown together.”
Looking Ahead
With sustainability and smart automation at the core of its operations, Kannapiran Mills is poised to continue its collaboration with Aspire Excel Automation.
“We will be considering adding more autodoffers and BTS systems in the near future,” concludes Mr Srihari. “It’s about staying true to our values—maximizing efficiency, minimizing waste, and partnering with people who share our vision.”