DCI to set up denim production line at global B2B event

For the first time in Asia, a full fledged denim manufacturing line will be set-up at an international B2B conference being held in Delhi.

To be organised by the Denim Club of India (DCI), InDIGO 2013 - the global B2B event of denim makers - will witness a fully operational state-of-the-art denim jeans production line, which will manufacture Ready To Wear (RTW) denim jeans on the event site within minutes for the delegates. "The labour intensive Indian denim jeans manufacturing industry is not automated and currently produces roughly 1000 units per day. There are also issues in quality consistency. There are some factories in India who do automated but they keep it secretly guarded. Denim makers don't know much about the investment, technology or benefits behind automation. Hence, the idea is to make denim industry delegates at the event aware of such automation," said Rajesh Dudeja, founder of DCI.

For this, the industry body has roped in major global and domestic suppliers like Italy-based Turel Group supported VI.BE.MAC, Oswal Group, Modern Denim, and Germany-based Groz Beckert, among others. Spread across an area of 400 sq metres, the automated production line will produce roughly 100 pieces per hour as demonstration to visiting delegates at the event.

"The production line is being set up in collaboration with VI.BE.MAC, supported by Turel Group. We are also being supported by industry segment leaders like Oswal and Modern for fabric, Groz Beckert, Germany for needles, YKK for zippers, Preet Buttons for buttons and rivets, Chaudhary Labels for tags and labels," said Dudeja.

According to Dudeja, once Indian denim makers get familiarised with the automation in denim manufacturing, they can imbibe the same at their respective plants. "Global majors like VF Corporation does very small sourcing from India because it is usually looking for big volumes like 300,000 per month which is only possible through automation. The way out for Indian denim makers is automation," he added.

InDIGO 2013, which is into its second edition this year, will be organised on April 19 and 20, 2013 and will see 25 exhibitors showcasing their products as against 23 exhibitors last year.

The Denim Club of India also estimates number of business visitors at the event to rise from 600 last year to over 1,000 this year.