N D Mhatre, Director General (Tech) of ITAMMA, emphasized the importance of artificial intelligence in the digital era. Speaking at a recent industry event, he stated that AI should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a challenge, enabling businesses to track product characteristics from production to export. He also highlighted how data-driven marketing strategies are crucial for planning production, product development, and promotional budgets.
ITAMMA and Tata Power Solar forge strategic partnership
Recognizing the role of renewable energy in sustainable growth, ITAMMA and Tata Power Solar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance solar adoption in India's textile sector. This initiative aligns with India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ missions. Additionally, ITAMMA signed a Letter of Intent with Gujarat’s i-Hub to support startups and innovation in the textile engineering sector.
Honoring industry stalwarts
Prakash Shah, Chairman of Prashant Group, was felicitated with the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ by Chief Guest Roop Rashi, Textile Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. Shah, who started his journey in 1975 with a small team, has built an industrial empire spanning over 110,000 square meters with more than 1,000 employees. His companies Prashant Group, Prasad Group, and PPI Pumps are industry leaders in textile machinery and plastic auxiliary equipment.
Shah’s contributions to the sector have earned him prestigious awards, including the Rajiv Gandhi National Unity Award, AMA-Atlas Dychem Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year, and Bharat Ke Ratna-Gujarat Se. His textile machinery company, Prashant Gamatex, has also been recognized with the Corp Excel Award for excellence in textile machinery.
Beyond business, Shah is actively involved in philanthropy, supporting schools for underprivileged children and initiatives for tribal upliftment in Gujarat and Bihar. He also works on employment generation for women in rural India through khadi and gramodyog initiatives.
Call for sustainability and digital transformation
Chief Guest Roop Rashi urged the textile industry to prioritize sustainability over profit, emphasizing that environmental concerns are shaping consumer demand and international trade. She encouraged ITAMMA members to submit their challenges and suggestions to her office for solutions.
The industry is responding with innovations to reduce manufacturing waste, cut energy and water consumption, and use recycled fibers. She noted that sustainability and digitization are closely linked, making AI-driven solutions essential for future growth.
Kedar Pandya, Director of SME Programs at the Wadhwani Foundation, presented insights on Generative AI’s role in textile engineering SMEs. He revealed that 75 per cent of organizations using Generative AI report a return on investment, with 86 per cent seeing revenue growth. Successful businesses have transformed AI ideas into production within six months, with revenue gains realized in a year.
Market trends show signs of recovery
J M Balaji, Vice President of Lakshmi Ring Travellers, discussed the current marketing trends in textile machinery. He pointed to early signs of recovery after a challenging 2023, with improved consumer sentiment, increased demand for casual wear, and easing supply chain disruptions.
ITAMMA Vice-President Om Prakash Mantry concluded the event by reiterating the organization’s dedication to cluster development, technological advancements, and skilling initiatives. By partnering with leading agencies and industry experts, ITAMMA aims to equip its members to navigate the challenges of AI-driven transformation.
