The start-up ecosystem in India is attracting global attention. Incubators are being set up in virtually every sector. The AIC-NIFT TEA, located in Tiruppur, is a world-class facility boasting of state-of-the-art infrastructure for encouraging start-ups in textiles and apparels. Incubatees at the centre will also have access to national and international mentors and to seed capital, training and consultancy.
Mr. Periasamy, CEO of AIC-NIFT TEA, while going into details about the establishment of the facility, said: “NITI Aayog selected NIFT-TEA for establishing the Atal Incubation Centre (AIC). The centre, set up under the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) scheme, has been sanctioned a grant of Rs. 8.9 crores. Anyone having any innovative idea for product development can approach us. It is a platform for nurturing ideas. When we admit someone, we analyze the social, environmental and economic impact of the idea.”
Pointing out the need for such incubation centres and how they can enable a paradigm shift in the approach, Mr. Periasamy pointed out that anyone who is entering the textile field should first of all thoroughly understand the ecosystem for the product. “In the apparel value chain, there are different components. These include the design, sourcing, production, warehousing, logistics, delivery and marketing. If you were to look into it carefully those in manufacturing are focusing more on production.”
He added: “A recent study shows that knit wear garments imported into the US as per their customs, the CIF (Customs, Insurance and Freight) value of products from China the figure is around $5.95, whereas in the case of Indian products it is only $4.1. Value additions constitute around 70% to this value, while production only constitutes the rest 30%. What this shows is that we lack in skills in areas such as design, sourcing, logistics, marketing, etc. We need to improve in all these areas, and for this the Government has set up this centre,” Mr. Periasamy said.
Focusing on these areas will help in Indian entrepreneurs having an edge over the ones from countries such as Bangladesh, Vietnam and Cambodia.
According to Mr. Periasamy NIFT-Tea will soon be setting up a design studio where AIC will also be imparting training. “We have invited a leading designer from the Netherlands, who will be mentoring the students.”
Highlighting some of the innovative things are being done by incubatees, Mr. Periasamy said: “A lot of work is being done with non-conventional fibers. For example, fabrics are being developed with banana fiber. Another incubatee is trying out woven look knits. Innovative fabrics for the medical field are being developed by some. Normally the fabrics used in the surgical line have only one layer. Here we are focusing on producing four-layer fabrics for the purpose. With this type of fabric, we can offer silver-based nano finish, with antimicrobial properties. Another incubatee is focusing on developing biodegradable bags. There is also work being done on developing natural dyes”.
Mr. Periasamy further said that the programs in the centre also aim at improving productivity. “The Standard Minute Value (SMV) for a collared T-shirt in India is 12, whereas it is around 8 in countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh. This gap needs to be addressed. So, we invite mentors to support in industrial engineering techniques for improving productivity. In fact, we have recently conducted a program in Tiruppur and Karur in Tamil Nadu for improving productivity.”
The centre also has understanding with colleges and universities in the region for offering training to their students. It also supports ‘virtual’ incubatees.
“We share a close rapport with the various centres of excellence such as SITRA, NITRA, etc. So, if an incubatee wants to try out something on medical textiles, we will refer him to that particular centre of excellence. Similarly, someone interested in working on home textiles will be referred to another one, and so on and so forth,” Mr. Periasamy disclosed.
The centre is equipped with modern video conferencing as well as board room facilities, where entrepreneurs and incubatees could invite buyers to showcase certain products or hold discussions.
Going into details on the kind of machinery available at the centre, Mr. Periasamy stated: “We have ordered a special knitting machine for making body mapping fabrics for sportswear and knitted Jeans fabrics, etc., for supporting the incubatees. So, for an incubatee there are machinery support, technology support and knowledge support. So far as raw material support is concerned, either the incubatee himself or herself brings it to the centre, or we can also help since NIFT-TEA shares good relationship with companies such as Reliance and Grasim.”
Some of the future focus areas of the centre include imparting training on emerging areas such as Industry 4.0, and the smart factory concept incorporating artificial intelligence in textile units.