Interview with AK Bidiwala

AK Bidiwala
Head-Sales & Marketing
Paramount Looms Private Limited

We are coming up with 2 more manufacturing units to support our growth objective

Established in 2012 in Surat, Gujarat, India, Paramount Looms Private Limited has evolved into a technically innovative and professionally managed manufacturer of power looms. At Paramount Looms, they are instrumental in manufacturing and supplying a durable range of looms such as power shuttle looms, rapier looms, water jet looms, air jet looms and electronic jacquard machines and dobby machines.

The products are meticulously assembled by their professionals using assured quality components and sophisticated technology in line with the industry standards. Paramount’s interactive programme of inspection, verification, and testing ensures stringent monitoring of all product performance requirements throughout the production process.

Paramount Looms’ mission is focused on securing India’s textile industry at the forefront globally. They strive to support enthusiastic textile entrepreneurs by equipping them with top-quality machines equipped with the latest technology. Their vision is ambitious—to establish themselves as the dominant company in the global textile landscape, aiming for a trillion-dollar valuation by 2030 even as it commits to contributing fully towards making India the world’s leading textile hub, driving innovation, and fostering sustainable growth in the industry.

Fibre2Fashion caught up with AK Bidiwala, Head of Sales & Marketing at Paramount Looms Private Limited recently, to know all about their product offerings, market positioning, and growth strategies going forward.

Could you detail the range of products offered by Paramount Looms in the weaving machinery sector?

Paramount is renowned for its extensive range of weaving machines, highlighting our expertise in the manufacturing of advanced weaving machinery. We specialise in producing shuttle looms, rapier looms, water jet looms, and air jet looms.

All these looms are now manufactured domestically in India, underscoring our commitment to local production and quality assurance. In addition to these looms, we also manufacture sophisticated weaving design equipment, such as electronic jacquard machines and electronic dobby machines, catering to diverse weaving needs.

Our headquarters and manufacturing unit are based in Surat, Gujarat, a city known for its vibrant textile industry. This strategic location allows us to stay at the heart of the Indian textile sector, ensuring we remain attuned to the latest industry trends and demands.

Our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Surat is equipped with the latest technology and adheres to stringent quality standards, ensuring each machine we produce meets the highest benchmarks of performance and reliability. Paramount’s dedication to innovation and excellence has positioned us as a leader in the weaving machinery industry, offering products that enhance productivity and efficiency for our clients across India and beyond.

Which are your key markets in India?

Tamil Nadu stands out as one of our key markets. We have been supplying weaving machines to this region for the past five to six years, establishing a strong presence. In Tamil Nadu, Pothys, a prominent brand with around 200-300 power looms, is one of our major clients. Another significant market for us is Telangana, where we have supplied over 800 machines to the Kakatiya Mega Textile Park in Warangal. These machines (rapier looms) are primarily used for manufacturing sarees. Additionally, we have a substantial presence in the Sircilla Textile Park within Telangana.

Surat, in Gujarat, is another major hub for our products. We manufactured most of the shuttle looms being used there. Today, we are the largest manufacturer of shuttle looms in India, with a monthly production of approximately 1,800 shuttle looms. This far exceeds the output of our nearest competitor, which produces around 400-500 looms per month.

Surat’s textile ecosystem is also the largest in India, driving high demand for our products. While shuttle looms are still popular in Surat, there has been a recent shift towards rapier looms, water jets, and air jets, with Surat boasting the highest number of these advanced looms in the country.

Our presence is also strong in Karnataka, where our machines are widely used. In Maharashtra, particularly in Ichalkaranji, we primarily supply air jets. Beyond these states, we cater to markets in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh (Varanasi, Etah, and Meerut), and Madhya Pradesh (notably Rani, Mau, and Ranipur).

Recently, we have expanded our reach to Jhansi as well.

What are some of the challenges Paramount navigates while maintaining its significant market presence domestically?

Currently, production levels are declining across various clusters in India, compounded by financial challenges. In contrast, Bangladesh is experiencing robust growth in its textile sector.

However, as China’s textile industry faces decline, there could be a potential shift in businesses towards India, which could stimulate growth in the Indian market. This scenario presents opportunities for Paramount and other Indian textile machinery manufacturers to capitalise on emerging trends and expand their market presence amidst the changing global dynamics.

What distinguishes Paramount from others in today’s competitive market?

Our unique selling proposition (USP) is our exceptional customer service, which is widely recognised as one of the best in India. Paramount stands out as the only company in the weaving industry that offers a dedicated 24x7 customer service desk.

This round-the-clock availability ensures that our customers can reach us at any time, regardless of their location within India. We are committed to providing swift and effective solutions to any issues that arise.

For our customers in Gujarat, we guarantee that any problem will be resolved within 24 hours. In other cities across India, we strive to address and resolve issues within a maximum of 2-3 days. This dedication to prompt and reliable customer support not only sets us apart from our competitors but also reinforces our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of service for our clients.

Do you have a direct presence across India, or do you rely on agents for after-sales service?

We have a network of agents spread across India, each equipped with qualified service engineers. These engineers are dedicated to addressing and meeting the needs of our clients promptly and effectively.

The extensive network ensures that no matter where our customers are located, they have access to professional support and service. By employing highly trained engineers, our agents are able to provide timely assistance and maintenance, ensuring the smooth operation of our weaving machines and the satisfaction of our clients.

Are your weaving machines sold only within India, or do you have a presence in the international market as well?

In addition to supplying machines domestically, we export to countries such as Uzbekistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Egypt, and Kenya, among others. Paramount competes globally with Chinese machine makers, and our machines are increasingly preferred by customers who have encountered issues with Chinese versions.

Indian machines today stand out for their superior quality, easier maintenance, and better alignment with industry requirements. Moreover, Chinese machines often face challenges related to the availability of spare parts (with context to India), which is not an issue with our products.

Also, our technical proficiency enables us to customise machines and incorporate value-added features based on specific client needs. This capability not only enhances the functionality of our machines but also underscores our commitment to delivering tailored solutions that meet diverse market demands. As we expand our footprint internationally, we continue to uphold our reputation for reliability and innovation in the textile machinery sector.

Which international markets constitute the core of Paramount’s business outside India?

Bangladesh and Egypt are pivotal to our international market strategy, constituting our primary overseas markets.

While currently representing approximately 10 per cent of our total business, our recent endeavours have been geared towards bolstering our export activities and we anticipate substantial growth in our overseas operations in the coming years.

Paramount actively participated in key industry events such as the ITME Africa and Middle East, and the Intex Bangladesh exhibition last year. These engagements have been instrumental in expanding our footprints and strengthening relationships within these markets. By actively participating in these exhibitions, we aim to enhance brand visibility, forge new partnerships, and capitalise on emerging opportunities in the new and prospective international locations.

Will Paramount’s strategic focus be directed more towards expanding its international footprint moving forward?

Our strategic focus is on enhancing our presence in international markets, particularly targeting Bangladesh, Egypt, and Türkiye. Additionally, we intend to broaden our footprint in South America, where there is growing interest in our electronic jacquard machine, evidenced by inquiries from countries such as Bolivia and Peru.

Paramount is committed to strengthening its global reach by actively promoting its advanced textile machinery solutions in these regions. These efforts align with our objective to capitalise on emerging opportunities and establish Paramount as a preferred supplier in diverse international markets.

Could you outline some of Paramount’s strategies for penetrating the international markets further?

We at Paramount are gearing up to take part in an upcoming exhibition scheduled in Vietnam within the next couple of months. These global exhibitions serve as pivotal platforms for tapping into international markets effectively. By showcasing our advanced textile machinery solutions, we aim to heighten brand awareness and foster relationships with prospective clients and partners abroad.

As our customer base expands in these global markets, our strategy includes appointing dedicated agents to accelerate our business growth. These agents will play a crucial role in facilitating local representation, providing tailored support, and ensuring seamless customer service across various regions.

Can you give some examples of successful customisation by Paramount for its weaving equipment?

Customisation plays a crucial role in the weaving industry, especially for looms. For instance, in Tamil Nadu, weaving machines are often equipped with numerous bobbins and designed in various styles to meet the intricate weaving patterns prevalent in the region. Conversely, in Gujarat, where plain fabric production is predominant, machines are typically simpler in design. Each region in India has distinct weaving preferences and operational needs, and Paramount recognises the importance of adapting to these nuances.

Furthermore, even within specific clusters, customer preferences can vary significantly. Therefore, we offer extensive customisation options to tailor our machines precisely to the requirements of each client.

This flexibility allows us to incorporate specific features, adjust machine capabilities, and enhance operational efficiency according to the unique demands of different markets and individual customers.

What is the current turnover of Paramount, and what growth targets do you aim to achieve in the coming years?

Currently, Paramount’s turnover exceeds ₹1,500 million, and our ambitious goal is to achieve a turnover of ₹10,000 million within the next five years. This significant growth target is in line with our commitment to expanding the market presence and increasing our revenue substantially. By leveraging our strong position in the textile machinery sector and capitalising on emerging opportunities both domestically and internationally, we aim to accelerate the growth trajectory and solidify Paramount’s position as a leader in the industry.

To support your ambitious growth goals, are you planning to ramp up your production capacities as well?

Yes, Paramount is currently in the process of setting up two new production units in Surat. The existing unit, occupying five acres, has served us well but is relatively compact. With the acquisition of an additional 10 acres of land and construction already underway, we anticipate commencing operations in these new facilities within the next two to three months.

Furthermore, we have taken steps to enhance our manufacturing capabilities by establishing our own foundries and induction units, which were previously outsourced. This strategic decision would enable us to produce all machine components in-house, thereby enhancing efficiency and quality control further.

While the domestic market shows promising momentum, our strategic focus will increasingly target the overseas market, where we perceive substantial opportunities for growth.

Are there any new advancements or products on the horizon that Paramount is excited to share?

Paramount’s introduction of air jet and water jet looms marks a significant advancement in ‘Made in India’ textile machines. Currently, these are not locally manufactured, and as we continue making these machines, it will eliminate the need to import from China.

Paramount’s robust Research and Development department, comprising approximately 10 skilled professionals, plays a pivotal role in innovation.

We actively incorporate customer feedback into our product development process, ensuring that our solutions meet specific market demands.

Recently, in response to customer requests for reduced air consumption, we have developed air jet looms that optimise CFM (cubic feet per minute) levels effectively.

I strongly advocate that Indian customers prefer locally manufactured machines. This preference not only supports domestic manufacturers but also benefits the textile ecosystem at large. By choosing Indian products, customers contribute to the growth of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, fostering a mutually beneficial scenario for machine makers and the textile industry.

Published on: 11/07/2024

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.