With competition in the powerloom sector intensifying, a majority of weaving units in Salem region has started modernisation to meet the three `mantras' the global market demands - production increase, cost reduction and quality.

Weaving units in Salem, Jalakandapuram, Taramangalam and Ilampillai in Salem district and Rasipuram, Vennanthur and Komarapalayam in Namakkal are switching over from their ordinary powerlooms to shuttleless ones. The region, which did not have a single shuttleless loom a year ago, now has nearly 2,000. The extension of the Technology Upgradation Fund scheme is yet another factor that has encouraged the weaving units to go in for modernisation now. A few units are making efforts to set up an integrated apparel manufacturing facility.

Sweeping changes

The sweeping changes occurring in these weaving pockets have also attracted the textile machinery manufacturing companies to this region in droves.

Picanol, one of the leading weaving machines manufacturers, has recently conducted a weavers meeting for the industry and explained about the advantages of its airjet and rapier shuttleless models.

"We see a good potential for modern looms as the powerloom sector in the Salem region is growing big and fast,'' sales manager Tanim Chaudhary says. Productivity and versatility of the modern shuttleless looms give a lot of advantage to the weavings units in the competitive market. Though many units have opted for second-hand shuttleless looms because of cost factor, a good number of units now show interest in purchasing new ones.

Revenue

The Salem region earns sum of Rs. 3,000 crore annually as revenue through fabric trade.

If the fabric is converted into apparels and exported directly, the revenue will go up to Rs. 9,000 crore a year, industrial sources say.

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