Optimistic on Indian market growth
With the demand for technologically advanced and high-quality circular knitting machines remaining high, Terrot was able to make a big splash at the recently held Knit-Tech trade fair held at Tirupur where it introduced its new products and technologies
The year 2022 is promising to become a very special year in the long and extraordinary history of Terrot. Not only does the company celebrate its 160th anniversary, it is also expecting to produce more machines under Terrot and the recently incorporated Pilotelli brand at its headquarters in Chemnitz, Saxony as at any time before. After a severe crisis in 2019-20 amplified by an early hit of the pandemic, the 50% growth in 2021 is looking to be repeated once more in the current year with a confident volume of 260 new orders alone in the first quarter.
Combined with the order inflow from 2021, this not only utilises a large portion of its annual production capacities for the current year but also a significant amount for 2023. Whereas 2020 was dominated by single-jersey machines, the last year was mainly characterised by high demand in home textiles, mattresses and the sportswear sector for both mechanical and electronic machines. It is important to point out that all this has been achieved despite still lasting problems with supply chains leading to delays, skyrocketing prices for commodities, raw materials and parts, in particular electronics like semiconductors, as well as transportation that stretched it as probably many others to the breaking point.
All this would not have been possible without the company’s staff that invests everyday all their passion in catering for the needs of sophisticated clients and of course a healthy economy since the last almost two years. “But most of all we would like to thank world’s leading textile companies and garment producers who put trust in the highest quality, productivity and flexibility of our machines. We very much value the partnerships that have evolved out of client-supplier relations over the years and decades. Despite the uncertainties deriving from the war in Ukraine and continuous price increases, in particular for energy, yarns and transportation, until now the demand remains stable and the general sentiment is still positive,” the management said.
“Given a hopefully peaceful negotiation solution between Moscow and Kyiv we expect the growth trend to remain stable for a while,” they added. A continuous increase in demand for premium machines as well as an ongoing transformation processes in the textile sector, characterised by a growing share of knitted fabrics, digitisation and sustainability issues have enabled the company to develop from a machine manufacturer into a comprehensive solution providing partner to its existing and future customers. From standardised machines for serial requirements to highly customised machines for special designs and structures, the company offers the widest range of machine types for high-quality knitted fabrics in a variety of gauges and realise a truly flexible customer-centric approach.
Widening Reach
Moreover, these machines easily fit into smart factories by providing a fully interoperable ‘network user interface’. A remote service possibility and newly developed troubleshooting assistance software mark its progress into the digitised era. Terrot is now successfully selling machines in more than 100 countries around the world. A network of over 50 qualified sales agencies guarantees close contact with customers and supports them by servicing on the existing as well as implementing and installing new machines and responding to their spare part needs. Its main markets are India, Uzbekistan and Turkey. But it also distributes a large quantity of machines to Europe, Asia and Latin America which guarantees a well-balanced sales performance and avoids cluster risks.
Taking Progressive Steps Ahead
The past year has seen also changes in the shareholding structure of the company with the managing directors Robert Czajkowski as the CEO and Dirk Lange, who joined Terrot in 2020, moving up to becoming managing partners, not only ensuring continuity for the years to come but also emphasising the owner-managed tradition of this German machine manufacturer. New developments in the single and double-jersey sector, consisting of premium high-efficiency machines with outstanding performance, maintenance and operating cost KPIs as well as general improvements on its existing equipment are on the way.
The company has made new investments in machinery, software and process optimisation in production and has also set up a new research and development entity that is aiming to serve as an agile hub for cooperation with innovative companies and research institutes around the world. “By this we are looking forward to exploring new developments in the areas of robotics, environmental technologies or textile software and are embracing limitless opportunities lying ahead of us. With our clients we aim to explore the new horizons that this industry offers in the decades to come. We were very much looking forward to presenting the finest German engineering – genuinely ‘Made by Terrot’ circular knitting machine as well as the wide range of our Terrot services,” the management said.
Participation in Knit-Tech
After pausing for three years, the Knit-Tech trade fair, which is a leading textile exhibition in South India, took place again in Tirupur from June 3-6th, 2022. It was very successful for Terrot. The number of visitors and the interest shown by customers, professional visitors and business partners was simply overwhelming. With is partner Voltas, Terrot exhibited a highly flexible and productive machine that has been much demanded globally in the past years and after being tested in India by reputable clients is much likely to become a success story here too. The state-of-the-art Terrot fine rib machine model was the main attraction at the booth.
“The great enthusiasm at our booth of our visitors and their feedback about, among others, the output of 650 kg 100% cotton fine rib production per day was extremely positive. The 8-lock machine I3P 584 is an all-rounder and creates typical 8-lock structures like interlock, punto diroma, milano rib and piqué rodier in a high quality,” the management stated. The salient features of the I3P 584 include:
• Made in Germany, thus ensuring maximum efficiency and precision
• 2.8 feeds per inch and a maximum speed factor of 1,050 to guarantee a high output
• Precise adjustment of delayed or synchronised timing with an impressive timing delay up to 5 mm for dimensionally stable and durable fabrics
• Great flexibility and large pattern range with up to four needle tracks in cylinder and two needle tracks in dial cam
• High-quality elastane plating in all variations
• Use of easily accessible and cost-effective needles
• Well-equipped for different market requirements with different conversion kits for spacer and fine gauge fabrics
• Quick and easy gauge exchange with minimal effort.
The presentation of the Pilotelli machine JV-3.0 with a maximum speed factor of 1,500 was the second highlight. “Our 160 years of experience and progressive thinking is resulting in a single-jersey machine with highest productivity at a maximum of 45 rpm at 32 inch with open width take down. All the well-known and standard setting Pilotelli features like click-clack, reliable elastane plating and perfect handling under harsh industrial conditions characterise our latest machine model too. Three feeders per inch and high speed guarantee a minimum spirality of fabric by maximum production output. Furthermore, we have developed and approved a new cam design embodying a revolutionary approach. The design allows highest speed with lowest needle wear and extended cleaning intervals,” the management elaborated.
Some of the advantages offered by Pilotelli machine JV-3.0 include:
• Up to 100 tons per needle set a new benchmark in this segment. A much longer cleaning cycle compared to its main competitors and therefore higher productivity is one of the main benefits
• Furthermore, the machine is able to produce known structures like piqué and 2-thread fleece
• A special yarn carrier with 4-hole design gives the user the possibility to produce plated single-jersey and fleece without changing settings and parts. This guarantees reliable handling and best fabric quality.
Trade Show Takeaways
“The general sentiment of the market was particularly positive. The demand for technologically advanced and high-quality circular knitting machines remains high. The personal encounters and valuable discussions at the trade fair showed fruitful effects, resulting in large quantity of deals and concrete inquiries. India is one of the leading, highly professional and most dynamic textile markets around the globe. The pleasant, top technology seeking and innovation-minded atmosphere at the trade fair will prove to be a motor of motivation for our drive for excellence and driving force for the entire industry. We will certainly be back on the next possible occasion,” the management said.