Project “Implementing BDS for MSMEs” launched at Ludhiana Knitwear and Apparel Cluster

Launch workshop of project “Implementing BDS for MSMEs” in Ludhiana Knitwear and Apparel Cluster was organized on September 14, 2009. The project is an initiative under the umbrella project SME Financing and Development Project (SMEFDP), a joint venture of Government of India, World Bank, DFID, KfW, GTZ and SIDBI. Around 200 participants including industrialists and consultants from the cluster were part of the event.

The programme was inaugurated by Mr. V. K. Janjua, IAS, Director, Industries and Commerce. Mr. Manoj Mittal from SIDB briefed about the cluster development project at 18 clusters and emphasized about development in Ludhiana, Mohali and Chandigarh cluster. Mr. Vinod Thapar, president FEKTAA presented the keynote address from the industry and stressed upon the government support for the infrastructure requirements of Ludhiana Integrated Textile Park. Mr. Rajveer Singh, Director, ACDS, presented the results of the diagnostic study done in the cluster and the areas in which the cluster is lacking for competitiveness in comparison to other clusters. He also advised the industry about the action plan devised for the next year. Mr. Vikas Garg, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana and Dr.Sandeep Kapur , Associate Prof, PAU, discussed issues related to the cluster and welcomed the start of cluster development project.

A presentation was given by Mr. Vijay Kapoor and Mr. Naresh Chawla of Gian Jyoti School of TQM and Entrepreneurship, about the productivity and waste management and use of lean manufacturing processes in the industry to reduce waste thereby increasing profitability and productivity.

The program was eloquently wrapped up by a vote of thanks given by Ms Paramjot Kaur, DGM SIDBI, Ludhiana branch.



FEKTA & ACDS Signed MOU to Enable Ludhiana's Knitwear Industry Competitive

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Federation of Knitwear, Textile and Allied Industries Association (FEKTA) and Apex Cluster Development Services (ACDS), to enable Ludhiana's knitwear industry competitive. In the MoU, it was mutually agreed that Apex Cluster Development Services will assist the knitwear industry towards building capacity to its members and by guiding them to improve their internal efficiencies in the supply chain to be globally competitive.

ACDS will work on behalf of the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), which has been entrusted with the task of implementing the Government of India project.

Major focus of the Project would be to help industry to use business development service providers intensively so that they can evolve some kind of professional pose in that production process. It would also provide them new international and domestic markets, so that they can prepare themselves as a readiness to supply material, export or to supply material to retail chains.

This project will impact the appropriateness, cost effectiveness and capability of business development services to serve micro, small and medium enterprises, and enable the latter to be able to market their products in terms of global competitiveness.

The project will include sensitization, training, capacity building of service providers, information dissemination, and finance and credit facilitation.



Inauguration of Project "Implementing BDS for MSMEs" at Tirupur Knitwear and Apparel Cluster

An inaugural workshop to launch the project “Implementing Business Development Services for MSMEs in Tirupur Knitwear and Apparel Cluster” was organized on September 24, 2009 at TEA Conference Hall, Tirupur.

The programme was inaugurated by Mr. Namgial, Chief General Manager, SIDBI, and Chennai. Mr. A. Sakthivel, President, TEA gave presidential note to members. Mr. Ahill S. Rathinasamy, President – KNITcMA and Mr. Raja M. Shanmugam, Chairman, NIFT TEA College of Knitwear Fashion gave special address to cluster firms.

Mr. S. S. Sankaramoorthi, Senior Technical Advisor, ACDS, gave Project overview and presented the results of the diagnostic study done in the cluster and the areas in which the cluster is lacking in competitiveness in comparison to other clusters. He also provided the industry about the details of action plan devised for the next year.

Problems and issues identified in the diagnostic study and initiatives planned to address them were well acknowledged and appreciated by the participants.

Secretary, TEKPA requested to organize similar technical seminars for the benefit of their members. President, KNITcMA came forward to identify 30 proactive members from the association to avail possible support from the project.

Representatives of technical institutions like Kumaraguru College of Engineering and Technology, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology provided their consent to collaborate under the project by engaging faculty and students to take up live projects in the industry. Few entrepreneurs came forward to form ‘network’ among them to avail the support under the project.

Some senior executives, who participated in the event, gave valuable suggestions with respect to making visual documentation on improving skill of workers.

As a part of workshop the following three Consultants gave knowledge inputs through presentations. Mr. M. A. Sanjeevi, Industrial Consultant, Ex-General Manager, Gokuldas Images Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore gave presentation on Methods and Tools for Productivity Improvement in Garment Industry. Mr. S. Periasamy, Deputy Director (EP&QA), Textiles Committee, Coimbatore gave presentation on Technological Advancement in Colour Matching and Communication to reduce lead time. Mr. Rajagopal, Head, SQC and OR Division, Indian Statistical Institute, Coimbatore shared information regarding Prove and Improve with TPM practices in Garment Industry.

Around 100 participants including Cluster Coordination Committee members, Association members, Representatives from MSMEs, support Institutions, technical institutions, financial institutes, banks, public and private BDS and concerned Government departments participated in the workshop.