Q: Presently, what is the position of Motex as a brand for textile processing? What are the features added progressively, and how do you perceive the local competition and deal with the global competition?
A: We are far ahead of the local competition with the German technology we offer. Motex is popularly known as a “Work Horse”. We are constantly offering improved technology. Global competition helps us in raising our bar. To ensure continuous improvement in technology, we have created R&D infrastructure and aim to launch a new model which will match the best in the industry.
Q: Post India-ITME 2012 what are the future product development plans?
A: In Mumbai, we showcased our newly-developed “SprintOn Stenter” for better aesthetics, ergonomics and evolved GUI (Graphic User Interface). Further developments are underway. ITMA 2015 will give us the opportunity to showcase these developments.
Q: Any change in design?
A: We are working on padding mangle design to ensure better squeezing efficiency. We are also looking at other cost-effective options which will help in reducing energy consumption and thus the carbon footprint.
Q: What other products have been added, and what is the market response?
A: We have recently introduced the KAPrec heat recovery unit. We have already supplied the same to Raymond and LNJ on Motex Stenters. We have orders on hand from south India. The design is unique in terms of operation and the heat recovered from exhaust gases is significant. The pay back is an attractively low period.
For processing requirements in the Surat market, we have added a strong outlet with a plaiter which can handle low GSM cloth at a speed of 130 metres and above per minute running speed.
Q: What is the reason to regain the market share in the southern market, particularly the knit which was not much captured earlier by Motex? Further, what makes you propose a special meet in Coimbatore to discuss specific technology like Stenter?
A: The South India “knit” sector passed through an uncertain phase in recent years due to effluent treatment issues. With the recent stabilization coming back in the industry and the enhancement in export performance, it is highly desirable to position a top quality stenter like Motex in this region.
“Dispelling the myth” prevalent among knit customers for the value proposition of Motex and its utility is the main objective for organizing an industry meet in Coimbatore. Among economic factors, the southern market is slowly resolving the issues of pollution and power. Moreover, the depreciation of the rupee has enabled Indian suppliers of stenters to be more attractive in their price than imported machines. Finally, reposition of faith and confidence of customers who are dynamic and progressive have helped to regain the market share.
We would like to take advantage of all these favorable developments to re-enter the market to serve the industry better.
Q: Apart from the traditional textiles, what are the other sectors do you find promising for Motex? How do you view the role of Motex in technical textiles? What about the market for technical textiles as such?
A: By virtue of its unique air flow configuration, the Motex stenter offers a healthy environment for technical textiles manufacturing. This is well achieved by absolutely even temperatures across the entire width of the machine.
With the help of selective air flow between top and bottom air nozzles, technologists can precisely control the conditions for the wide segment of technical textiles. The non-lube bearing chain adds value to performance as the fabric can be stretched without any wear and tear of chain and track parts or added load on the drives. Motex is looking at the stenter as a multi-functional machine for the future.
Motex stenters are widely used in coating of textiles, flock, paper and film, impregnated fabrics, nonwovens and other substrates for thermo-fixation applications, etc. Even the heaviest of coated fabrics can be cushioned, thereby maintaining fabric GSMs and uniformity of surface properties. We find an increasing role for stenters in the technical textiles industry with the Government and general industry thrust on the sector.