Freelook Fashions, is the dyeing division of Anugraha Fashion group of companies, a leading vertically integrated garment manufacturer and exporter based out of India’s knitwear capital, Tiruppur. The dyeing unit is located in SIPCOT, Perundurai, about an hour’s drive away from Tiruppur. A team from The Textile Magazine visited Freelook Fashions, to take a closer look at how Theis’ machines have enabled the company to stand apart from the crowd, and at the same time adhere to sustainability standards.
As we stepped into the dyeing unit, a solar power generation unit welcomed us, a shining testament to the company’s commitment to sustainability initiatives.
“We have a 1 MW solar power generation plant. We are the first in Erode district to implement a solar power generation plant. We also use wind power to generate 1.35 MW. Around 70% of the power that we consume comes from green energy resources, “said P.Moghan, Managing Partner of Freelook Fashions, in an exclusive interview.
“We are part of Anugraha Fashion, incorporated in 1988. We are a vertically integrated garment manufacturer and exporter. Our vision is to have a strong presence in the global textile market, through focus on quality and customer satisfaction,” he added.
The company’s manufacturing operations are strategically distributed across three distinct locations, each playing a vital role in its production process. In Tirupur, the hub for administration, marketing, and garmenting, the company orchestrates its business activities and engages in the intricate art of garment manufacturing. Meanwhile, in Perundurai, the dyeing division operates with precision, applying color to fabrics with expertise and care. And in Kangayam, a bustling center for spinning, knitting, printing, and further garmenting processes, the company harnesses innovation and skill to bring its products to life. Together, these locations form a cohesive network, each contributing its unique expertise to the company’s overarching mission of delivering quality products to its customers.
Speaking about the company’s association with Universal MEPSL Limited ( A Tata Group company), Moghan mentioned that it started right from the day Freelook Fashions was incorporated in August 2007. “We commenced our operations with 2 Thies and 3 other make soft flow machines,” he said.
He added that the company has forged a strong bond with Universal MEPSL and consequently with Thies machines from day one. “We started with 2 machines – Thies Eco master 1440 and 720. When we started using the machines, we were impressed by their performance and quality of output. The Right First Time (RFT) we got was around an astonishing 98 %. This was very good as compared to the other machines available in the market, “he explained.
Based on this feedback, the company then replaced the 3 other make machines with ones from Thies. Moghan continued further saying, “We also added one more machine. So, now we have 3 Eco master machines -1440, 720 and 180 and 3 iMaster machines – 200, 400 and 800.
According to him, apart from the RFT factor, another major advantage offered by the machines is the evenness of dyeing, which is of superior quality as compared to other machines. The Smart Dosing System enables even distribution of the dye liquor. “The productivity increased. We were able to achieve our targets with the right quality,” he remarked.
Adding to sustainability quotient
For a company that takes pride in its sustainability focus, the machines were a welcome addition. “We have always been an environmentally conscious company. The low liquor ratio leads to the reduction in water consumption. These machines consume about 30% less water, as compared to other machines,” he observed.
Added to this was the power savings. “We get to do about 3 to 3.3 batches per day, as compared to the around 2.5 batches per day achieved by other machines. So this means that we are getting increased output for the same power. Our productivity levels increased, “stated Moghan.
Thies Waste Water Heat Recovery System (WHRS)
The company has also got Thies’ Waste Water Heat Recovery System (WHRS). “Thanks to the system we are able to save on and average 1500 kgs of coal per day. In turn there is also a reduction in Co2 emission considerably. This converts into huge savings for us, apart from aligning with our sustainability goals,” he pointed out.
Moghan also pointed out to the user-friendly operations of the machines. “Every function can be controlled with the touch screen. Our staff finds them very easy to operate,” he said. What about the after sales service support? “It is very prompt,” said Moghan before adding,” They sort out most of the issues through remote trouble shooting. Just in case, it needs personal attention, one phone call to “Thies Textile machines India Pvt Ltd., and their technicians are here in no time. Plus, Universal MPESL senior executives also visit us regularly,” he mentioned.
“We are very happy to be associated with Thies and Universal MEPSL. Whenever we go in for future expansion, we will go in for their machines,” said Moghan on a parting note.
