Coimbatore-based Jaaz Textile Systems, which is associated with the globally reputed textile machinery manufacturers enabling it to bring in appropriate and reliable technology to the textile industry, has been growing from strength to strength. Some of the brands whose machinery and accessories are represented by Jaaz Textile Systems include SSM-Swiss, Saurer Jintan, Bracker, Novibra, Berkol, Mehra Wax, ISC, E+L and Kusters Calico. A recent addition to this list is Elgi Electric.
The Textile Magazine caught up with Mr. Shahul Hameed, Director, and Mr. T.N.S. Jagadeesan, Managing Director of the company, and got to know about the latest developments in Jaaz Textile Systems, its tie-up with Elgi Electric, its marketing strategies and its future plans.
Giving a brief overview of the company’s history, Mr. Hameed said: “Jaaz was started in 2005 by Mr. Jagadeesan. I subsequently joined it. That was the time when there was a boom in the textile industry. The delivery of certain spinning machines used to take almost 24 to 36 months and customers had no choice but to wait. It was during that time we wondered whether we could make a difference. ‘Why can’t we offer an alternative?’ That is when we decided to source and promote Chinese machinery. We were probably the first company to bring Chinese machinery suitable for the spinning industry here.”
The company initially started off by becoming a sales agent for CTMTC, a Government-owned in China, offering a vast range of textile machinery. “We did several projects with them. That was our first big breakthrough”, recalled Mr. Jagadeesan.
Adding further on the company’s eventful journey, Mr. Hameed said: “Subsequently, we started supplying products mainly from Europe. We took up the agency for PTC, which is the accessory division of the RIETER family for South India. Gradually, we added machinery from other reputed European OEMs to our product portfolio. Today I can proudly say that whatever products we deal in are technology-wise either No.1 product in the world or the second best.”
There was no looking back for the company after that. “Once we had established ourselves in the spinning industry, we started concentrating on the processing industry. There too, we have a portfolio of excellent products”, stated Mr. Jagadeesan.
In 2008, the Jaaz Group, as part of its diversification plan, started another company – Jaaz Electro Drive Systems – which is involved in the stock and sales of world-class electronic products such as AC variable drives, HMI, PLC, servo systems & automations, etc.
Going into details about the sister concern, Mr. Hameed said: “Mr. Sivadass, who was earlier a colleague of ours, takes care of this particular division. Our customer base comprises textile, cement, paper, package industry, food and processing industry and many other industrial sectors where automation prevails.”
Association with Elgi Electric
Jaaz Textile Systems was recently in the news for entering into a tie-up with Elgi Electric for supplying its products. Speaking on the development, Mr. Hameed said: “Elgi is a market leader, with over 70 years of experience in the textile industry. It is a pioneer when it comes to products such as overhead travel cleaners (OHTCs), yarn conditioning systems and bobbin transportation systems, apart from the Argus metal and fire protection system that it offers. These are considered to be the number one products in the respective market segments in the textile industry.”
Commenting on the tie-up, Mr. Jagadeesan added: “We will be supplying Elgi Electric’s products in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka right now, with Kerala to be added to the list within a short time. We are their suppliers for the non-LMW segment, i.e., LMW projects will be handled by Voltas. Even in the case of such projects, when once commissioned, they will automatically become an existing customer and we can cater to them.”
The four products from Elgi Electric fall under the most intensely competitive market segment in the industry. Speaking on its strategy to take on competition, Mr. Jagadeesan said: “Elgi Electric is an established name. While it is true that several players are making these products, what differentiates Elgi from others is the fact that Elgi has got direct tie-ups with reputed overseas manufacturers, besides their world-class manufacturing facility and the superior components quality. Additionally they offer excellent aftersales technical service which gives us the competitive edge.”
He added: “We have already started getting orders for Elgi products. Remember, for a product like OHTC, YCP or BTS, they are the pioneers. In fact, they are the first to bring these technologies through joint ventures to India”.
Good growth prospects
The top management at Jaaz is very optimistic about the future prospects of the textile industry. “So far as Jaaz is concerned, we are into capital machineries as well as accessories. So we have a balanced product portfolio. For certain types of capital machinery, investment will come only when the market is good. But in the case of routine accessories, they will be anyway moving continuously. So, business always has been smooth for us without any major irritants. Overall, our industry perspective is positive”, noted Mr. Jagadeesan.
Sharing similar views, Mr. Hameed said: “We are quite bullish about the textile industry in India. We want to keep continuing our focus on quality products. We are adding to our team’s strength. We are also on the lookout for some more innovative products to add to our line-up. Maybe we will step into the loom sector, with its good growth potential. We are also optimistic about the prospects of the industry and hope to clock a growth rate of 10-15 per cent minimum over the next few years.”