Today Abhiasmi International manages to churn out print orders in a 24/7 environment with speed, accuracy and reproducibility of designs selected by its patrons worldwide. It also managed to surge ahead by serving not only the latest designs but also an enhanced strong consumer experience.
Despite their long and strong presence, most textile companies are operating in a challenging environment. They must transform their operations to address the greater customer expectations and competition from newer players in the field who are more techno savvy and customer oriented. Innovative designs, speed, accuracy, ability to churn out new trends and fashion needs are becoming more and more important.
Under a pressure to hold margins and maintain market presence, the key to this operational transformation is improved customer service. Self-reliance rather than dependence on outsourced jobs is another major criterion.
High speed, quality, efficiency, design-friendliness, ease of operation and lowest operating costs in terms of ink, manpower and utility consumptions are key parameters for successful digital printing business today.
It is against this backdrop of imperatives that Zimmer Austria | Digital Printing Systems in Kufstein, along with its Indian partner A.T.E., began its engagement with a first-of-its-kind high-speed digital printing solution in India.
Initially, Abhiasmi relied on outsourcing total printing operations to third party companies making him heavily reliant on the output and delivery periods of these companies. Being active amongst the hubs of fashion and exporting to various developed countries, as his business grew, domestically and internationally, the client sought a partner who offered an in-house solution without being dependent on the infrastructure of conventional print houses or low production capabilities of the small digital printing service solution providers.
Holding the promise of seamless transition followed by streamlined operations, Zimmer Austria and A.T.E. would now enable such clients to concentrate on their efforts on sculpting new revenue streams and profitable business models catering to the ever-changing demands of the modern fashion and trendy markets.
A.T.E. was engaged in understanding the customer’s present workflow for the printed upholstery and furnishing product range. This was combined with the need to upgrade the present day competency of the staff to meet the highly demanding process methodology for digital printing including pre-treatment, calibration of the inks and substrates and advice on the plant layout and technology selection for the pre and post treatments for completing the digital workflow.
To effectively deliver, it put in place a strategy consisting of two key elements: Zimmer Austria leveraged best practices from its various examples shown by digital printing companies worldwide and selection of technology for the entire process flow to provide a high-quality, cost-competitive product for the client. The Colaris solution for a working width of 2.6 meters met the requirements to cater to the broad product range catered by the client both for the furnishing, upholstery and apparel businesses.
Trials with the customers fabrics at the Zimmer Austria Technology Centre in Kufstein in the presence of the client helped establish his confidence that Zimmer Austria was his right partner. Further interactions led to clear scope which was executed and implemented in time for the client to get the first meters to reach the shelves in time to meet the new spring collection demand.
Exhaustive training by both A.T.E. and Zimmer Austria technicians and technologists set the game going from the day one. The two not only create standard operating procedures for all processes, but also work closely with the client’s departments to ensure that all technical advice related to new demands for products are handled as quickly as possible.
Back-up support from the Zimmer technology centre and the experienced staff, along with the RIP software training on site by software experts, also ensured speedy and problem-free transition of the clients’ print production in-house.
Within a short period Abhiasmi came out as a successful exporter of digital printed products offering world-class designs at cost-effective prices and meeting fast delivery expectations of leading customers.