With the 'Make in India' vision remaining a distant dream, Ludhiana's garment machine manufacturers have joined hands to save the industry. Ludhiana was once known to be among the few manufacturers of flat machines. But now imports from China and Taiwan have increased.

About 80 industrialists have joined hands and they will go for a multi-pronged policy to rescue the industry. In an effort to give an exposure to the industry, they would organize an international expo in February 2016. The stalls would be spread on a 6,000 square meter area and 1,000 products related to spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing, finishing, printing, sewing machines and accessories would be displayed and these would be of 350 national and international brands.

Requirement of knitwear especially from the defense forces during World War II gave a boost to the knitwear industry in Ludhiana. Knitwear production multiplied during 1950 to 1980 and real diversification took place during and after the decade of 1980s.

Ludhiana is known for its knitwear (cotton and acrylic/blends) and woolen knitwear industry. While Tirupur is known for cotton knit wear. The Ludhiana knitwear industry makes a tremendous use of acrylic yarn. Ludhiana contributes 95 per cent of the country's woolen knitwear.