MUMBAI: John McCombs, business development manager (textile fibre industry) of the US-based Rockwell Automation sees a stablisation in the global yarn prices by the end of the year. He feels that the recession is the best time to modernise and textile units. He thinks that those who fail to do so will not stand the test of time. Armed with an engineering degree from the reputed General Motors Institute, McCombs plunged into heat and dust of industrial sales and has served companies like Siemens and General Electric before joining Rockwell Automation.On business prospects in India
Opportunities in India are enormous. An Indonesian research firm which conducted a study for the US-based Texturised Yarn Association placed India in high pedestal in terms of investment opportunities.
In the days to come, competition will increase forcing the Indian companies to do away with their laid-back attitude. Competition breeds quality. Quality standards in Indian textile firms are very low.
They shouldthink about where want to be five years from now. Modernisation is the need of the hour and the textile firms should utilise this recessionary period for modernisation so that they can reap the harvest when things turnaround.
On problems confronting textile companies
Textile firms really could not catch up with the latest technology and quality standards are poor. Most of the mills use old machines. Use of old and obsolete technology may not necessarily bring in uniformity. The companies should think in terms of going in for full-scale automation.
Computerised control brings information, speed precision and consistency to manufacturing process. Automation definitely means lot of additional expenditure and it is a continuous process. The companies can do it in phases.
On global textile industry fortunes
Textile industry is highly cyclical. Yarn prices have hit the rock-bottom. This is actually the beginning of the next cycle. By the end of the year yarn prices will stabilise. This yearwill probably see a technological revolution taking place in the textile machinery sector with International Textile Machinery Association (ITMA) rumoured to be on the verge of introducing some special looms.
On Rockwells' plans in India
Our Indian business is growing at the rate of 25 per cent annually over the last five years. The growth is very strong and the year 1998 was the best in history. Rockwell Automation India provides application solutions to metals, paper, consumer products, automotive, oil &gas and synthetic fibre industries in the country. Rockwell Automation brings together leading brands in industrial automation. including Allen-Bradley and Reliance Electric Control.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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