|
‘China has no significant advantage over India in textile machinery’
Having made an impact in the world textile trade, China is
trying to push its textile machinery too. With no significant advantage, it
will be difficult for China to foray into the Indian market, says Mr D Ranganathan,
chief executive, Veejay Lakshmi Engineering Works, in an interview with Sudha
Swaminathan.
What is your perception about the Chinese textile machinery
industry?
China has not made significant investments in textile machinery manufacturing.
China has presence in the entire range of spinning machinery, weaving, knitting
and processing machinery. However, the machinery manufacturers have not embarked
on technology upgradation in their factories and have not adequately invested
in R&D. Hence, the Chinese textile machinery sector could not make a mark
in the world market and continues to lag behind the developed countries. In
order to access superior technology, the textile industry in China relies on
import of machinery. Many textile machinery manufacturers from Europe have set
up their factories in China to cater to the Chinese market. According to statistics,
China has imported more than US$ 11.8 billion worth of textile machinery over
the last three years.
How would you rate Chinese and Indian machinery?
In my opinion, Indian machines will certainly have an edge over the machinery
produced in China in terms of productivity, quality and price. Our prowess in
the manufacture of spinning systems is well known and we are competing with
developed countries. But that is not the case with China as far as spinning
is concerned. Though we are not at par with the European players in the manufacture
of weaving and finishing machines, we are much better than China.
Can the Chinese machinery manufacturers make inroads into
the Indian market?
With no significant advantage in terms of technology, price and quality, it
would be difficult for the Chinese to make inroads into the Indian markets.
Spinning mills in India have access to world class spinning systems manufactured
in India. Manufacturers of fabrics and garments prefer to work in European technology.
Manufacturers of weaving and processing machinery from foreign countries who
have facilities in China may offer products to India as an alternative to the
machines supplied directly by them from Europe or Japan.
Can the Indian textile machinery sector cater to the Chinese
market?
Indian machinery manufacturers have very good scope in China provided they offer
products comparable to that from Europe in terms of productivity and quality
coupled with some price advantage. According to data available, around 4,500
projects with a total estimated investment of US$ 25 billion is underway in
China. A substantial portion of the machinery requirement will be imported.
Indian manufacturers can take a share of this if a good marketing network is
established in China. Establishing manufacturing facility in China will also
be advantageous. A lot of effort has been initiated to develop the brand image
of Indian products and to do away with the perception that India produces cheap
machines. |
E-Mail
Print
