“A good cotton crop for the season combined with good markets for knits and woven goods have sprung growth to the spinning industry with a generally upward market trend. The whole textile chain has seen a positive trend month after month post lockdown” – Mr. S. Harishankar, Chairman, India ITME Society
India ITME Society, a nonprofit apex industry body, has announced free Virtual Buyer Seller Meet (BSM) exclusively for India ITME 2021 Exhibitors on 4th & 5th December 2020. Since the flag ship textile machinery Exhibition “India ITME” scheduled in December 2020 had been postponed to 8th – 13th December 2021, in lieu of this postponed business event this interim Virtual Buyer Seller Meet is organized to bring back momentum to the networking & revitalize customer connect from the comfort of home / office. Meetings will be pre-fixed and both domestic and overseas buyers are confirming their interest for this unique opportunity to interact in a structured manner on their areas of priority.
“India ITME is the flagship state-of-the-art exhibition of INDIA ITME Society that is conducted every 4 years. The Covid crisis simply has brought all large gatherings to a stand still for the time being. The INDIA ITME exhibition has regrettably had to be postponed to December 2021 as a result of the current epidemic,” states Mr. S. Harishankar, Chairman, India ITME Society.
“Right now is the perfect opportunity for the India ITME Society to conduct this Virtual Global buyer/seller meet where we are able to facilitate a platform for networking when the market activity is strong; while at the same time face to face meetings is still prohibitive due to health and travel disruptions. Along with the virtual Buyer/Seller meet, various technical seminars with eminent global visionaries have been planned. India ITME Society strives to continue to push forward to inculcate information to young minds who are all craving for current/relevant information. Many technical institutions and formal learning has been impacted due to Covid related restrictions,” he adds.
Revival signs
Mr. Harishankar observed that despite the setback caused by the Covid pandemic, things seem to be getting back on track, for the textile industry. According to him, the situation created by the global pandemic is a truly unique once in a century event, where in: there was a brutal slowdown to the whole economic system created by the twin shock: where both the production shut down and supply chain disruption created a massive blow at the same time.
“However, as the saying goes ‘crisis is also an opportunity’. It is remarkable that in just a short span of time, market revival has taken place in the textile sector. A good cotton crop for the season combined with good markets for knits and woven goods have sprung growth to the spinning industry with a generally upward market trend. The whole textile chain has seen a positive trend month after month post lockdown,” he points out.
Restrictions on travel and personal meetings with clients, has brought with it a unique set of challenges to textile companies, with respect to connecting with its customers. However, Mr. Harishankar felt that companies have found out ways to stay connected. “Globally, companies have learnt to work efficiently through online meetings and Conference calls and this is much the same for the textile / textile machinery field. The pandemic has certainly taught us all the fine art of “time management” and the ability to utilise technology effectively. Strict Covid protocol is being followed in the manufacturing arena by following the local state and district jurisdiction guidelines. Sales or service calls by machinery / component manufacturers are also possible while ensuring strict social distancing guidelines. While it is still not possible to visit international clients face to face due to travel restrictions, but that’s where technology has really helped fill the void,” he says on a positive note.
AI based technology
The buyer seller meet is for 2 days, with one day of technical seminar. The BSM will have 278 exhibitors from 18 countries. So far visitor registrations have been received from 31 countries. The technical seminar is expecting an audience of 1000+ for morning and afternoon session. Both the programs are offered fully complementary by India ITME Society with the intent of extending support to industry in this year of the Covid crisis.
“We hope the virtual BSM event shall provide the much needed platform for industry colleagues, business associates, suppliers and customers to connect and interact creating a stimulant and motivation for the upcoming new year,” Mr. Harishankar says, before adding: “We also made an effort to bring to table most recent topics of interest for technical lecture and panel discussion allowing maximum industry members to catch up on latest information since this year many training programs and workshops could not be held. Sustainability is going to be key for growth in business in coming years and efficient manufacturing strategies while catering to varied customers is another brain storming topic for all textile manufacturers.”
For the first time, India ITME is using AI based technology to help exhibitors and visitors connect on a virtual platform. Explaining how this works, Mr. Harishankar mentions: “AI match making was offered to ITME BSM participants to ensure convenience and efficient virtual event and maximum exposure to every participant within his/her log-in time frame. In a virtual event, where members are connecting over from homes or workplace, a well informed and planned itinerary shall increase efficiency of interactions as well reduce online fatigue. What we offer participants are, meeting recommendations based on their profile, business interest and objective of attending ITME BSM using AI based on the information from registration form submitted by them. A matched itinerary with option to select your convenient time shall help everybody to be focused during discussion and obtain optimum utilization of personal log-in time.”
Going into the key reasons for textile companies to exhibit their products in the meet and for industry professionals to visit the virtual show, the Chairman of the India ITME Society pointed out that a time when live exhibitions cannot be conducted due to the logistical restrictions in place, this virtual platform is a great opportunity for companies to showcase their latest innovations and network virtually with prospective clients across the globe.
“There has never been a moment in time where technology is as relevant simply because we’ve learnt to adapt and simplify the “networking” protocol,” Mr. Harishankar says.
Learning initiatives
Elaborating on how the India ITME Society adapted its activities post March lockdown period to fulfil its objectives and goals for the year, Mr. Harishankar reveals: “It is my great satisfaction to share with readers that India ITME Society did not falter in its responsibilities even during the lockdown. Our secretariat adapted fast and team worked from home. We conducted joint seminar with ITC on Business opportunity in Africa in the month of June 2020. Besides, under “Nurture the future” program ITME Society supported education and students by coordinating internship and placement for students with Industry. This activity was coordinated successfully in May 2020 when students were facing tough time in getting internship and placement due to lockdown. ITME Society succeeded in getting international internship for students of VJTI providing an opportunity for 3 students to work with International Trade Centre-UN, Africa.”
“This activity was successful due to the much appreciated cooperation from Industry members who came together with goodwill and magnanimity to support our next generation. The industry leaders and companies who participated in this exercise are Mr. Aras & Mr. Navin Agarwal – A.T.E., Mr. Updeep Singh – Sutlej Textile Industries, Mr. Harishankar – LCC, Mr. Ketan Shanghai – Laxmi looms, Mr. Ashok Juneja – TAI, Mr. Dipesh Shah – GIFT city, Dr. Rajat Srivastava – EEPC, Mr. N.K. Brahmachari -Amritlakshmi Machine Works, Mr. Vikas Saran – Saurer Textile Solution, Mr. Surjit Singh Mahajan, Director, Staubli India, Mr. Avinash Mayekar – Suvin Advisors, Mr. Yogendra Vora – Tecogis, Mr. Nitin Poddar – J. Sagar Associates, Ms. Pradnya Ponkshe – MCCIA, Ms. Carolin Averback – ITC, Kenya. Apart from coordinating the internship drive, India ITME Society also accepted two VJTI students for internship and intend to continue the tradition in future as well,” he said while highlighting some of the initiatives of the society during the recent past.
Mr. Harishankar felt that for the robust future of the textile industry, strong education, exposure to latest technology, and learning experience are all absolute necessity. He added that through its various events and programs, the India ITME Society shall continue to diligently execute its responsibilities in supporting all round growth and success of textile and textile engineering industry of our great nation in all possible ways.