By Dr. A. Venkatachalam, Dean, Textile Technology, Bannariamman Institute of Technology, Sathyamangalam
Coimbatore, a complete city with vibrant entrepreneurial base and diversity in its profile, has evolved through an epitome, the mixed economics of agricultural, industrial and educational progression. The prosperous development of this metropolitan is due to textile activities encompassing all sectors, from cotton cultivation to state-of-the-art textile machinery manufacturing. Entrepreneurship is a culture here. Nevertheless, the textile business has not registered its due growth for reasons of lacuna in strategic approach in line with contemporaneous transformation which was taking place in successful locations elsewhere in the world.
Europe, the birthplace of textile mechanization, had witnessed the same turmoil Coimbatore has been experiencing for the past two decades, but adapted judiciously to the changing phase to sustain in this traditional commodity commerce and manufacture. Globalization and liberalization leading to a customer-driven economy has declared vistas for the business community to both explore and exploit the avenues. While this has been comprehended in the places where they believed in innovations in both technological front and management insight, the non-conformists ignored and denied to accept this branch of thinking, only to lose in the race.
Coimbatore has not felt the brunt except for a small jolt during the days of bomb blasts, global economic crisis and general slowdowns in textiles. This is a standing testimony to the endurance it has, and it is this spirit that is required for any adventurous and innovative proposition. Textiles is a conjoint to Coimbatore for various reasons, and hence only ways to be discovered and invented for a healthy growth. Textile machinery, spares and accessories, and textile manufacturing are part and parcel of life here. The European model can be emulated in an appropriate mode for a thriving continuation. A systematic modernization towards automation to get away from the labour-intensive state of affairs is inevitable due to escalating labour shortages.
The sops-dependent culture, except at the time of distress and promotion of new thoughts, will not allow industries to have competitive edge through a viable creative enterprising attitude.
In Western countries the failure of industries is attributed to high labour cost and environmental aspect, whereas in India it is ascribed to ineffectiveness of top management, customer relations, marketing, financial system and structure and communication meltdown. At times of crossing the threshold line of economic operation leading to sickness, the re-engineering through SWOT analysis is definite option for sustainability. The prevalence of energy policy will definitely help to reduce the manufacturing cost and add value to environmental protection through carbon foot print/carbon credit measures and also a point for consideration towards mitigating the non-tariff barrier.
Proven management practices such as ISO advocacy, 5S, Six Sigma, TQM, TPM, Lean Practice, SCM/ERP, MIS, and so on will lead towards zero wastage of all resources. The win-win integrated cotton cultivation is a point worth considering for the cotton-rich spinning industries of Coimbatore. The risk and crisis management will thwart both known and unexpected uncertainties.
The green process will promise a niche market to start with and sustainability in the long run. The lean process capable of increasing process efficiency, eliminating non-value added activities, utilizing less resource, and achieving faster and better work approach, is a matter of worth practicing for cost-effective manufacturing. The future add-on fibres like lyocell, poly lactic acid, etc., will enhance effectiveness in sourcing of raw material.
The emerging smart/intelligent/functional textiles embracing bio, nano and electronics sciences, which directly influence the life style, along with technical textiles, boosted by a GOI mission on research, training and escort services are sure to have a promising future. Innovations of new technologies, products and processes will be the way of healthy industrial life.
Coimbatore is blessed with Central Government funding of two projects under technology mission of technical textiles. In this context, industries can get benefited through collaborative ventures.
Industries may resort to the lean technique with market research, concurrent engineering, proactive strategy and fuzzy front end approach in the development of these products. Lean proposition optimally takes care of lead time, life cycle cost and performance requisites of customer end; schedule, budget and process standards at developer’s side is an assuring means, to be practiced for new product developments.
The traditional belief that innovations are proprietary phenomena of large scale and Western economics can be reengineered in collaboration with educational institutions for the benefit of SMEs. Many times new product and service idea stem from customer, and giving shape to that incidentally strengthens the customer bond, and it is a fact that attracting new customers is more expensive than retaining the existing. Customer relations management, business intelligence, legal adherence, ethics and corporate responsibilities are the very basis for success of any enterprise.
In conclusion Coimbatore can become a textile hub in the true sense of the term by taking up innovations in products, processes, technologies and management with a scientific spirit in association with educational and research institutions.