B-Tex Textile Machinery is an India-based leading innovator in the textile industry, specialising in fabric inspection and make-up machinery for over 15 years. Known for its cutting-edge technology and exemplary pre- and post-sales service, the company offers customised solutions tailored to meet individual client needs. Speaking to Fibre2Fashion, CEO Bhupinder Singh discusses textile machinery, especially the company’s automated Auto-Cut-Pack system Nirvana.
Can you provide an overview of B-Tex Textile Machinery’s core business operations and the key segments you serve?
B-Tex has solidified its standing as a leading name in the textile sector, specialising in fabric inspection, rolling, folding, and packing machines equipped with Italian software. We cater to various textile segments, including woven, knits, and technical textiles.
What motivated the foundation of B-Tex and how has the original mission evolved over the years?
Our journey began with a humble vision to deliver high-quality inspection and rolling machines. Over the past two decades, we have significantly evolved, integrating automation and innovation into our offerings, thanks in part to our collaboration with Italian partners.
Could you elaborate on the sustainability initiatives and practices that B-Tex has implemented in its operations?
Sustainability and innovation are crucial drivers in the fashion and textile industry, revolutionising both the sector and its production processes. In terms of sustainability, our after-sales and technology teams offer a multitude of options for modernisation.
How does B-Tex ensure that it stays up-to-date with the latest technologies and innovations in the industry?
To stay ahead in technological advancements, we have two collaborations with Italian firms: TechnoTeam Italy for technical know-how and RealTime for 4-point defect logging software. These partnerships enable us to adapt and grow, even in challenging situations. Always innovating, we are prepared to deliver cutting-edge machinery that meets the industry’s evolving needs.
Could you provide details on your international operations, key markets, and strategies for global expansion?
B-Tex has a global footprint through our network of agents. We recently participated in ITMA 2023 in Milan, Italy, in partnership with our Italian collaborators. Next year, we plan to attend TechTextil in Germany and ITM in Istanbul, Turkiye. Additionally, we are in the planning stages for several other exhibitions to showcase our new products to a global audience.
Could you give us insight into the conceptualisation process and how you tailor solutions to individual clients?
Our machines are known for meeting Italian quality standards in terms of inputs and performance, yet are affordably priced. Built on years of industry experience, our products are a testament to our commitment to technological advancement. We work closely with our clients right from the conceptualisation stage through to the final product. This enables us to provide tailor-made solutions that meet their specific needs. We have already delivered customised machines for clients such as SRF, Khosla Profil, Wilhelm Textile, Texport, and Milliken, among others.
What are the core competencies that set your company apart in the competitive textile industry?
The textile industry is increasingly shifting towards automation due to challenges related to manpower reliability and quality control. B-Tex facilitates this shift by converting existing traditional cutting processes to automated Auto-Cut-Pack systems. These upgrades offer numerous advantages such as a 2-3 per cent increase in A-grade fabric yield and a 40 per cent reduction in manpower, space, and transportation costs. This not only enhances production but also decreases rejection rates.
What are some of the innovative solutions your company has brought to the fabric inspection and make-up machinery sector?
In 2016, we collaborated with Realtime Srl, an Italian firm, to develop our Auto-Cut-Pack system, model Nirvana, which serves as a vital step towards the future of cutting and packing systems. Nirvana significantly benefits the inspection and packing departments by saving 2-3 per cent of A-grade fabric due to optimised cut planning. The system also reduces manpower by up to 60 per cent due to minimal fabric handling. Our Italian software provides comprehensive reporting features such as shift-wise, sort-wise, operator-wise, and production and department-wise reports to aid in quality improvement. Additionally, Nirvana can handle 80,000 metres per day with LDPE and HDPE packing, using just a single operator, while also saving 40 per cent in space.
Can you share any upcoming plans or strategies for exploring new possibilities or concepts to better understand customer needs?
With India becoming a preferred supplier in the textile industry due to increasing demand and acceptance of the country’s products, we are in the midst of expansion. We are optimistic about the industry’s growth prospects and are preparing to meet them head-on. To this end, B-Tex is establishing a new manufacturing plant on the outskirts of Mumbai. This facility will focus on machine manufacturing and assembly, featuring in-house German laser cutting technology, 8-tank powder coating, and other state-of-the-art machinery.
How has technology and automation impacted the textile manufacturing process in recent years?
As the challenges of manpower shortages and limited space become more acute, automation has emerged as an essential solution. Our latest model, Nirvana, addresses these issues by reducing the need for manual labour and increasing production efficiency. Developed with Italian expertise and software, Nirvana offers a marked improvement over traditional cutting methods.
Can you discuss the challenges and opportunities in maintaining quality control in the highly competitive textile industry?
Quality control is increasingly difficult due to manpower challenges and space constraints. Automation provides a solution, streamlining operations to optimise manpower use, boost production, and facilitate more accurate reporting. Our model, Nirvana, incorporates Italian know-how and software to meet these challenges, delivering both efficiency and quality.
What are the latest advancements in fabric inspection technology, and how are they revolutionising the textile machinery sector?
Our Auto-Cut-Pack system includes fabric inspection capabilities that log defects in our Inspection & Grading Software (IGS). This system optimises the fabric based on defect severity, generating an efficient cutting plan. The data is then transferred to our Nirvana Auto-Cut-Pack machine for execution. IGS also enables real-time reporting, keeping our clients ahead of their competitors.
Recently, we have introduced a new version of Nirvana, that combines LDPE and HDPE packing in a single operation. This is set to significantly change traditional cutting and packing methods, offering high-end automation and a multitude of benefits for our clients. In essence, the B-Tex Auto-Cut-Pack is a transformative development in the textile industry.
Interviewer: Shilpi Panjabi
Published on: 04/10/2023
DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.
