Interview 2- Mr. Satish Sabal (Shri Bhagirath Textiles Ltd.,Nagpur, Maharashtra)

We are delighted to have Mr. Satish Sabal in our second interview of our interview series which is formulated to enhance your learning about textile and allow you to get seasoned with all the latest updates from the industry. Mr. Sabal is a competent professional with 28 years of spinning experience in Plant Operations, production, maintenance, project installation, Cost-reduction, Production and Man Management, Denim, Cotton(ring/OE), PV, Viscose, Tencel, Modal& Blends fiber to fabric management. Presently working with Shri Bhagirath Textiles Ltd. Nagpur as Deputy General Manager. (PPC)

In this interview, Mr. Satish has touched upon various aspects of the textile industries, let us learn more. Shall we? This is how it goes.

1-Can you provide us an outlook on spinning sector.

The spinning sector outlook depends on global & domestic raw material scenarios, trends & outlook on raw material prices play an important role. Also, the sector depends on domestic yarn production & exports, domestic yarn prices & contribution margin. Operational & Financial comparison performance decides the performance of Indian Spinning Industry.

2-What are the basic skill sets a textile graduate should possess in order to work in the textile industry?

A Textile graduate newly joins textile industry enters in the enormous sea of textile technology with whatever basic & theoretical knowledge & with some industrial experience feel of Internship/In-plant Training. It helps him to understand textile processes, objectives, production & culture gradually. Various areas for work in the textile industry, choices depend on individual graduates' interest & performance during their selection process & training period. Once interested or allocated field has been distributed to individual trainees, he should sincerely perform his duties, assignments up to the management satisfaction under the guidance of seniors & HODs of mills. Daily/weekly/monthly work reporting to management plays a crucial role in key resource area performance judgment. He should always eager to learn day to day knowledge of systems adopted in industry, process,production,maintenance,quality, manpower management & targets of their industry.

3-What are the major developments you have examined during your tenure of work over the years.

In the last two decades, various new technology/up gradations have been introduced in the textile industry. Which played a crucial role in terms of developments in production, quality for need-based survival of the textile industry? Mainly in spinning advanced Blow room line from Truetzschler, Reiter consisting of Blendomat, Multimixer, gravity trap, a new range of spiked & toothed wire points licker-in type beaters along with color & PP contamination sorters enhanced performance & productivity suitable for Indian raw material for better realization. Over the years all spinning preparatory machines updated with digital & servo drives, auto doffing & auto leveled with best quality sliver & roving with higher productivity & low maintenance cost with reduced power consumption.

The ultimate goal of spinning technologists is focused on higher productivity, combined with adequate quality. Hence, the ring-spinning systems have gone through tremendous improvements during the last decades. No doubt, modern yarn spinning techniques have a remarkable production edge on ring spinning, but still, the characteristics of ring-spun yarn are matchless and presently it looks very difficult to replace ring spinning with any other spinning system. With the passage of time, the production cost of spun yarn is becoming higher and higher. Reduction in production cost is the only solution, which is possible through increasing the production per spinning position. Many successful efforts have been made to increase the productivity of the ring-spinning frame but at the same time, some new spinning techniques were also introduced from time to time such as open-end and air-jet spinning.There have been a lot of developments in ring spinning in the past but the development of compact spinning has changed all aspects of advancement. This is the development, whose advantages are not limited up to the extent of quality and productivity elevation; rather it is multidirectional and also covers the sphere of subsequent processes of weaving, knitting, and dyeing with a tremendous and significant increase in productivity.

Compact Spinning is simply the modification of the conventional ring spinning system at the drafting zone with some addition and modification in its existing drafting system. Major developments also are seen in Rotor spinning with respect to different drives, multilot processing, piecing/splicing technology, yarn clearers & slub yarn devices. Advanced yarn monitoring system with digital control & monitoring seen with the international quality measurement with Uster technologies.

                                                                                         

4-Can you show us a sight of how the import and export takes place and how the global market affects the sector.

Import & export of textile goods needs to fulfill below requirements with successful documentation.

• Establish company, open business bank account and apply for export/import license
• Contact with buyers and make offers.
• Send samples to your overseas buyers.
• Confirm the order from buyer and receive money.
• Prepare order to your customer.
• Final inspection by the buyer before shipping and final payment.
• Price of the goods and total price
• Shipping date
• Description of the goods with HS code
• Ordered quantity
• Delivery term ( EXW; FOB; CIF)
• Payment terms (TT, LC, DC)
• Inspection and warranty terms
• Agreed advance-payment % and balance payment %
• Packing details
• Required docs provided by exporter                                         

Exporting and importing helps grow national economies and expands the global market. Every country is endowed with certain advantages in resources and skills. Oftentimes, imported products provide a better price or more choices to consumers, which helps increase their standard of living.As soon as a business starts operating internationally, there are many additional factors which can have a huge impact on its success. Exporting and importing goods is not just the core of any large, successful business; it also helps national economies grow and expand.

Each country is endowed with some specific resources. At the same time, a country may lack other resources in order to develop and improve its overall economy. For example, while some countries are rich in minerals and precious metals or fuels, others are experiencing a shortage of these resources. Some countries have highly developed educational systems or infrastructures, while others do not.

Once countries start exporting whatever they are rich in, as well as importing goods they lack, their economies begin developing. Importing and exporting goods is not only important for businesses; it is important for individual consumers, too. Consumers can benefit from certain products or components that are not produced locally, but are available to purchase online from a business abroad.

5-What are the issues that hold back the Indian spinning sector.

Textile products market compatibility increases with chain of value addition from fiber to fabric. Major challenge before industry is consistency in quality, production & timely delivery, in which most industries are struggling after gradual hike in recession. Major factors

affecting Indian spinning sector are, Obsolete Machines and Technology Increased Power & labour Cost, Competition in foreign Market, Increased transportation cost and regular Fluctuation in raw material & end product costs.

6-How will the COVID-19 global crisis affect the industry?

Maximum export orders cancelled/LC expired in Textile industries. Domestic & Corporate orders will be reviewed after crisis & waits reopening of chain of marketing. Raw material/End products cost will be increased, Shortfall will be faced of raw material cotton (natural fibers) & synthetic fibers, Manpower for textile industry has been shuffled to their natives, will create hands shortage. Minimum 3-4 months will take lead time for things to be normal in textile industry. Major issues will be of funds shortage, flow of orders & fulfillment, manpower management. Many more problems will arise till re-survival.

7-Since the pandemic came at a time when the sector was battling sluggish growth, how will the industry tackle this issue?

The textile industry will need to plan flexible policy, strategy for survival from the crisis with the help of central govt.Central govt./state govt.need to help textile units in terms of relief funds with minimum interest. Relaxation in power bills, taxes & EMI & interest.Green & Orange zone & MIDC industries starting gradually with the in-house labor force. No doubt textile industry peoples will work on foot & war basis to come out of the crisis.

8-Does the policies arranged by the Government work in the favor of the industry?

Still govt. has not declared any reliable policy for the industry. The industry is not capable to pay salary/wages to employees at the moment. Pending payments of suppliers, clients, agents first need to sort out. Central & state govt need to revise policies with core discussion & meetings with industry association peoples, mill owners regarding instant relief from the crisis the favors of textile industry.         

9-How the recruitment in the earlier days differs from present-day.

Earlier applications were invited by post/telegram from eligible candidates & were called for interview for short listing. Now a days telephonic, email & personal interview taken for appointment, also worthy candidates are hired by job consultants working for textile industry. Campus interview selection procedure mostly applied by corporate companies.       

10-Lastly, how one should emphasize on gaining practical knowledge and developing the technical skills?    

Daily interaction in process & machines automatically improves our practical knowledge. Day to day monitoring, analysis teaches us problems solving techniques in process. Your motivations and some of the practical realities around work options are beginning to develop ideas about the kind of work you aspire. Knowing what you want, of course, is only part of the challenge. You need to have, or to gain, the knowledge and skills necessary for your work choices, whether they are paid or voluntary. List the knowledge, skills and experience you already have.Identify which knowledge, skills and experience you want to make & go for it in order to pursue your aspirations.     

It was an absolute contentment having Mr. Satish. Thank you for connecting with us and letting us dig deeper into how the industry works.