Indian textile companies have always been in the forefront when it comes to seeking and trying out latest technologies. In fact, their success is mainly attributed to this dynamic attitude. Needless to say, several machinery makers are keen on tapping this highly potential market. While several machinery makers have tried making forays into this market, only a few have been successful. Brückner is an example of a brand that has made rapid inroads into the Indian market. The Brückner range of machines have been raising the benchmarks in the processing segment in the region. They are enabling superior quality products, increased production capacity and energy savings. For most of the companies, the installation of a Brückner machine has proved to be a turning point. There has been no looking back for these companies. There is no doubt that the globally popular brand has developed a special bond with entrepreneurs in the country.
The Textile Magazine went and spoke to a few entrepreneurs to know precisely how Brückner machines have been playing a key role in their growth story.
KPR Mills
“The heat recovery system consisting of highly efficient plate-type heat exchangers with nonstick coating enables significant energy savings” – Mr. C.R. Anandakrishnan, Executive Director, K.P.R. Mill Ltd.
K.P.R. Mill is a name that needs no introduction to anyone following the fortunes of the Indian textile industry. One of the largest vertically integrated apparel manufacturing companies in India, K.P.R. Mill produces yarn, knitted fabric, readymade garments and wind power, with its state-of-the-art production facilities in Tamil Nadu.
The company’s association with Brückner started in 2012, and within a relatively short span of time, it now has six machines from the German company operating in its processing unit located in Sipcot, Perundurai.
“We purchased our first Brückner machine – a 6-chambered stenter – in 2012. Its impressive performance led us to go in for another 8-chambered machine in 2014. Today, we have a total of six Brückner machines with us,” stated Mr. Anandakrishnan.
“In 2016 we decided to expand our garmenting capacity and for that we needed the processing strength. So we went ahead with Brückner machines. Today we have six-chambered, three eight-chambered and two 10-chambered machines working for us,” he added.
The company at present has 60 tons of processing capacity – 30 tons in soft flow and another 30 tons in CPB (cold pad batch).
Going into further details Mr. Anandakrishnan observed that the CPB technology is more eco-friendly. It also ensures a better feel and lustre in the fabric. “Since we already had soft flow capability where can do polyesters, the drying necessarily had to happen in a stenter. Brückner was a natural choice. We also had a good experience with their support services too. So, we went ahead with Brückner.”
The sale of the machines to K.P.R. Mill was in fact instrumental in Brückner quickly expanding its base down south.
Explaining how changing fashion trends also dictated the choice of machines, Mr. Anandakrishnan said: “Fashion had been moving towards lycra in recent times. Men’s polo T-shirts are a good example for the trend. In fact, we are soon starting girl’s polo T-shirts with 3% lycra. Obviously with more lycra content, you will need a Brückner to be there for you.”
“Knitted leggings are similarly a craze now. We do leggings for Decathlon. These are 4-way stretch leggings. Every year we ship close to 4 million units,” he disclosed.
Mr. Anandakrishnan further said that people prefer heat setting because of uniform temperature and that the machines were very user-friendly. Another key feature that came in for praise from him was the heat recovery system. “The heat recovery system consisting of highly efficient plate-type heat exchangers with non-stick coating enables significant energy savings,” he said referring to the main feature. The system incidentally can be retrofitted in Brückner as well as makes of other machines.
Mr. Anandakrishnan was all praise for the after-sales support services from Voltas. “It is a top brand company, part of the Tata Group, we already have a long-standing relationship with Voltas because of our spinning units.”
Kiruthika Dryers
“Brückner machines are a boon to Tirupur’s entrepreneurs. They will definitely help in the growth of their business. These machines score on every front, whether it is production, quality, economy and being eco-friendly. The return on investment (ROI) is also quick, as well as definite.” – Mr. T.R. Mohann, Managing Director, Kiruthika Dryers.
Kiruthika Dryers is one of the best testimonials for Brückner machines. Mr. Mohann swears by their efficiency and performance.
Mr. Mohann’s association with Brückner started in 2003. “Before purchasing the product, me and my then partner travelled to various European destinations and took a close look at the latest machines that were available. We found Brückner definitely had the competitive edge. In fact, we came back and recommended the brand to others who readily purchased Brückner machines. We got our machine only after them!”
According to Mr. Mohann, there is literally nothing that the machines can’t do, with respect to finishing. He further adds that their specialty actually lies in dealing with special fabrics.
“Brückner machines are a boon to Tirupur’s entrepreneurs. They will definitely help in the growth of their business. These machines score on every front, whether it is production, quality, economy and being eco-friendly. The return on investment (ROI) is also quick, as well as definite,” Mr. Mohann pointed out.
Mr. Mohann also appreciated the service backup. “Voltas is doing a fantastic job. We only need to deal with small service issues sometimes. Otherwise these machines are robust and keep performing day in and day out. Voltas has, in fact, helped us get to know about many other machines too.”
“It is only a matter of time before we add to our existing Brückner machine, in the near future,” Mr. Mohann said rounding off the exclusive interaction.
C.R. Garments
“Brückner’s technology has helped us get new customers.”
– Mr. Murugesh, Managing Director, C.R. Garments.
The Tirupur-based C.R. Garments is another company that has benefited a lot from Brückner’s processing solutions. Going into details about the company’s operations and how the association with Brückner start, Mr. Murugesh said: “Our company was established in 1989 by my brother. Initially it was a printing unit. Subsequently, I joined the business in 1995, and we started exporting. We cater to the European and US markets. We have a vertically integrated set up. Except spinning we have everything in-house. We also have a factory in Chittagong, Bangladesh.”
The company has a total of seven manufacturing units – six in Tirupur and one in nearby Sankaran Kovil, which, with 100 machines capacity, is an exclusive garmenting unit.
“Our association with Brückner started in 2014. Many of my friends in the industry had suggested their machines. We too did a detailed study of the market. We visited factories which had Brückner machines running in them. We also gathered data on the competing brands. We compared the information and after detailed analysis we came to know it is different, so we decided to go in for Brückner,” Mr. Murugesh said throwing light on how the association started.
He added: “We are very satisfied with Brückner, in terms of the quality and cost of production. The service back-up provided by Voltas is also excellent. Importantly, the machine’s performance is top class.”
Pointing out how Brückner had played a key role in satisfying the requirements of a buyer, Mr. Murugesh said they came across a client who wanted a particular type of finish. “We studied the fabric and succeeded because of Brückner. Now about 10% of our exports are to that customer.”
Mr. Murugesh spoke high of the pre-sales support and consultative approach adopted during the time. “In 2014, when we decided to buy a machine for open width, at that point in time we didn’t have too much knowledge about them. Thanks to Brückner and Voltas, we were able to gather valuable insights into the latest technologies.”
“In fact, Brückner’s technology has helped us get new customers. We came across a client in Europe who wanted a particular type of finish. He had tried with another machine of a different maker but it ended in failure. The buyer then told us that he would place a purchase order if we were to succeed with the particular fabric. This was a challenge to us. We studied the fabric and succeeded because of Brückner. Now about 10% of our exports are to that customer”.
Mr. Murugesh further stated that Brückner really gave them good specifications and trained them on operating and taking care of the machine.
Exim Knits
“We are more than happy with the service support provided to us. In fact, it is only very rarely that we need service support. The technology at Brückner’s disposal is such that most of the trouble-shooting can be done remotely.” – Mr. P. Padmanabhan, Director, Exim Knits.
Exim Knits is another company in the Tirupur region in whose consistent growth Brückner is playing a key role.
Recalling what led the company’s top management to try out Brückner machines, Mr. Padmanabhan said: “Our company was established in 1991. It is a vertically integrated company. We have our own dyeing, knitting and finishing facilities. We started our Perundurai division (processing) in 2006. We cater mainly to the European market.”
Some of the top brands served by the company include Marco Polo, Levis, Jockey, SLS, etc. “These top brands are very stringent about top class quality. So when we started this unit we made it a point to have all top-end machinery. Brückner was an automatic choice.”
The company’s association with Brückner goes back to 2006 when it had brought a Brückner product for working with tubular ones in 2006. Mr. Padmanabhan stated that it was the time that the entire market was moving towards open width finishing.
“We did not want to be left behind. That is when we got a Brückner machine. In fact, it is still running and its performance is nothing less than excellent,” he added.
Mr. Padmanabhan also gave a thumbs-up for the service support offered by the German brand. “We are more than happy with the service support provided to us. In fact, it is only very rarely that we need service support. The technology at Brückner’s disposal is such that most of the trouble-shooting can be done remotely,” he explained.
The company has planned a three-fold increase in its production capacity in 2019. And there are no prizes for guessing the processing machine that it intends to install in its new facility. “Yes, it will be Brückner once again,” Mr. Padmanabhan said revealing plans which would further strengthen the excellent rapport between the two companies.
Arights Apparels
“The Brückner machine has had its positive impact on various fronts. It has for example helped us improve our quality standards. Similarly, our production capacity has also increased.” – Mr. G. Kathiravelan, Managing Director, Arights Apparels.
Arights Apparels is one more leading company from Tirupur which has forged strong professional bonds with Brückner. Giving a brief outline of the company and how its association with Brückner started, Mr. Kathir stated that the company was established in 2002 with a production capacity of 12 tons per day. “We began those days with tubular heat setting. Since we felt that it was a bit inferior when it came to quality, we thought of going for open width. This is what led us to a 4-chambered Brückner machine,” he explained.
Elaborating further on how the market trends affected the purchase decision, Mr. Kathir said: “At that point in time the entire market was moving towards open width to gain the advantage of reduced wastage. Fortunately for us Brückner had already entered the market by then and offered the perfect solution.”
Interestingly in the case of Arights Apparels, the association actually started with a used Brückner machine. “As mentioned earlier, in order to minimize wastage, the only solution available was open width. Plus, lay cutting was also possible only in open width. So, in 2005 we got a used 4-chambered machine. The superb performance of the machine has led us to purchase another Brückner machine”.
“The Brückner machine has had its positive impact on various fronts. It has for example helped improve the quality standard. Similarly, our production capacity has also increased,” Mr. Kathir stated.
Thanks to Voltas, prompt service support was also available, which has been another key factor driving demand for Brückner machines.
Mr. Kathir was also happy with the pre-sales consultative approach by both Voltas and Brückner. “The team did a thorough analysis and explained to us all the specifications and offered us a machine tailored to our particular requirements.”
“Needless to say, we are extremely satisfied with the machines and will definitely add a few more in the near future,” Mr. Kathir said sounding optimistic of the company’s continued good showing.
By M.K. Prabhakar & Mohan Raj