Brother, a Japanese industrial sewing machine manufacturer, has witnessed a remarkable legacy that spans over 116 years. Founded in 1908, the company began its journey by offering sewing machine repair services. Since then, Brother has transformed into a leading manufacturer of automated sewing machines, achieving impressive annual revenues of $1 billion from its Machinery division, which also includes CNC machines.
Pioneering Manufacturing
Brother’s manufacturing prowess took off with the introduction of its chain-stitch sewing machine designed for straw hat production. In 1932, the company successfully launched its first home sewing machine, paving the way for an expansion into industrial sewing machines. Over the years, Brother has diversified into various sectors, including garment printing, showcasing its ability to adapt and grow in a competitive landscape.
Commitment to the Indian Market
Having established operations in India in 2000, Brother has positioned itself as a vital player in the region. With its Asia head office in Hong Kong, the industrial sewing machine division maintains a presence in seven Indian locations, leveraging a network of distributors and agents. “Brother’s logo embodies our commitment: ‘At Your Side.’ We strive to be present where our customers need us,” Mr. Randeep Sahani, Director, Industrial Sewing Machine Division, Brother Machinery India shared in an exclusive interview with The Textile Magazine. This year Brother India- Industrial Sewing machines Division embarks on 25 years of operations in India – celebrating 25 years of trust, ethics, partnership and values says Randeep Sahani.
Comprehensive Solutions for Diverse Industries
Brother’s industrial sewing machine division provides cutting-edge machines tailored for a variety of applications, including woven and knitwear, as well as denim clothing. Notably, their machines are also utilized in the production of critical automotive components, such as airbags and car seats, alongside other products like sports shoes and luggage.
Meeting the Challenges of the Indian Apparel Industry
In recent years, the Indian apparel sector has faced increasing competition from other Asian countries, such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, and China. The primary challenge lies in manufacturing costs. “We are dedicated to offering innovative and automated solutions that empower Indian garment manufacturers to remain competitive. Brother is at the forefront of automation in sewing machines,” Mr. Sahani emphasized. The company’s robust investment in research and development ensures the continuous launch of machines equipped with advanced features.
Innovations in Automation
Brother’s automation solutions are specifically designed to enhance the efficiency of various clothing types. For instance, in the shirt-making sector, Brother offers automatic machines for pocket attaching, shirt sleeve placket attaching, buttonhole indexer. The company also supplies automatic machines for knitwear which includes V Patch and Moon patch attaching and polo-pocket attaching, as well as elastic joining, brief elastic to body joining and label heat transfers multi station machines.
“While denim fabric is stable and lends itself well to automation, knitwear and shirt fabrics are more challenging due to their inherent fabrics’ variety. Despite this, we have successfully developed automated machines range for low GSM fabrics. Our leadership in launching automation over the past four years has yielded positive results, with proven performance in garment factories leading to repeat orders,” Mr. Sahani said while elaborating on the complexities of automation in different fabrics.
The Benefits of Automation
Automation in sewing machines offers several significant advantages: it reduces manufacturing costs, addresses labor shortages, and meets global brands’ demand for consistent garment quality. “As awareness of automation grows among Indian apparel manufacturers, we are expanding our installations across all major garment production hubs in India. This strategic move will enhance the competitiveness of Indian clothing producers in export markets,” he noted.
Recognition by Global Brands
Brother’s automated solutions have garnered recognition from numerous global garment brands of American and European origin. These brands recognize the consistent quality made from our automated machines which are user friendly & low maintenance; thus recommend their vendors to opt for Brother’s range of automation solutions. Brother’s Indian clientele include prominent apparel manufacturers and exporters such as Gokaldas Exports, Arvind Ltd, Texport, Shahi Exports, Richa Global and many more.
Focus on After-Sales Service
The lifetime of an industrial sewing machine typically ranges from seven to ten years or more, leading to high expectations for after-sales service. Brother prioritizes customer satisfaction through regular technical training for technicians and engineers of clothing factories. These training activities include comprehensive seminars that last up to a week, offering hands-on experience in disassembling and reassembling various garment related machines.
“So, while we have a dedicated after-sales service team, much of the troubleshooting is managed by the garment factory technicians due to the extensive training provided in our seminars. We have even brought technicians from our customers and distributors to our Chinese plant for additional training,” he shared.
A Window into History
Brother also maintains a museum dedicated to the rich history of sewing machines, allowing visitors to explore the evolution of this essential tool. The museum houses one of Japan’s largest collections of sewing machines, featuring over 75 exhibits. Guests can discover the world’s first sewing machine, as well as antique machines from various regions, and significant innovations from Brother’s own history.
In summary, Brother’s commitment to innovation, quality, and customer support continues to drive its success in the automated sewing machine industry, reinforcing its legacy as a leader in manufacturing.
