TECHNOLOGICAL UP-GRADATION AND INNOVATION

Over the years the company has given major emphasis on innovation of its existing plant & machinery in order to improve the quality of its products.

For the last 10 years the company has installed various latest technology machinery and equipments in its spinning, weaving, processing, Made-up's, Readymade Garments divisions and also in testing laboratories.

The company has invested over Rs. 370 crores towards expansion and modernization during the last 9 years with the financial assistance from various Banks and Institutions mainly under Technology Up-gradation Fund Scheme of the Government of India. This has enabled the company to make its products widely acceptable in the domestic as well as international markets.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ( R & D)

1.  Specific areas in which R & D carried out by the Company.

The company has set up a world class fabric testing laboratory as per ISO, AATCC, ASTM, LS & Co., M & S etc. testing protocol.  The laboratory has successfully achieved accreditation of Levis & Co., Marks & Spencer and undergoing ISO 17025 NABL accreditation. The laboratory is providing on line testing services to the various departments to achieve excellent quality and productivity.

The company has developed fabric designing department and has created a garment studio at Mumbai for improvement in fabric and garment designs. The company has also procured computer software to create and develop new designs for manufacturing Jacquard fabric.

2.  Benefits derived as a result of the above R & D

As the result of the above facts, the products of the company are globally well accepted and products meeting international quality standards. The fabric sample can be tested in the company's laboratory as per customer's requirement, there by saving time and cost. Earlier it used to go outside testing labs, taking extra time and cost.

For the garment division, the company has imported Jackets stitching machinery which has been installed in garment factory at Surat.

3.  Future plans and action

Research and development is a continuous process. The company is going to add new testing equipment for all wool and wool mixed fabrics and upholstery fabric.

The company has developed Fire Retardant Fabric to be supplied to institutional bodies like Defense, Railway's, Airlines, Luxurious traveling coaches etc. During these developments, the laboratory is also being expanded for the testing with latest testing equipment for Fire Retardant Fabrics.

TECHNOLOGY ABSORPTION :

1.  Efforts made towards technology absorption.

The company has sent its technicians to various other weaving and finishing units within and outside India to understand the improvement in the respective areas.  The company started cotton yarn dyeing in house, this is a new production activity for the company.  The company hired the services of technician from abroad and upgraded the cotton yarn dyeing quality.  For the wool dyeing also, company installed RF Dryer and improved this machine to produce better quality end products.  During the year 2008-09, the company started production of Jacquard Fabric.  It purchased computer software for developing the fabric designs.  The in house testing laboratory was upgraded to the world standard.

2.  Benefits derived as a result of the above efforts.

The company was depending on out side yarn dyer for cotton yarn dyeing.  The introduction of cotton yarn dyeing facility at Banswara, enabled company to reduce the lead time.  Now it can deliver its product to the customers by about 15 days.  The cost of dyeing is comparatively less as the dye house at Banswara is consuming bleed steam from the captive Thermal Power Plant.  During the fabric processing, company could get the same quality standard even by reducing some of the production process.  The company also developed special yarn in house which are used for fabric designing.  It is a part of our import substitution.