Bombay-based Krishna Alkali, although only three years in the industry has, however, already created a name for itself in the world of quality digital printing with its Mimaki machines, offering a capacity of 25,000 metres per month.

The footwear related products market in India is today at US $ 5 billion, growing at around 10% a year. Seeing the potential, APLF is launching a new exhibition, the Footwear Materials, Manufacturing & Technology (FMM&T) exhibition, in 2009. The focus of the exhibition will be to bring together, both the organized and unorganized players of North India, especially, regions such as Agra, Lucknow and Kanpur.

This March Okhla Garment and Textile Cluster (OGTC), in association with GTZ, started a programme to educate the apparel manufacturers on the Seven Tools of Quality and Quality Improvement. Five factories participated in the first phase of the programme conducted by Prof. Rajesh Bheda of RBC and his team. Training was given through workshops and interactive sessions to the senior and middle management, as well as the staff on the floor.

OptiTex, the industry leader in 2D/3D CAD/CAM design technology for cut-fabric related industries, has further improved its fashion software, 3D Runway Designer 10, by enhancing its remote collaboration tools. Tex 3D Runway fashion software is a realistic cloth simulation/cloth modeling software system based on accurate CAD patterns and real fabric characteristics which can be used by designers, pattern makers, and retailers to visualise pattern modifications instantly in full 3D.

Human Solutions, developer of innovative hardware and software solutions in body scanning and ergonomic simulation, has been providing customized products to more than 300 companies worldwide.

Gerber Technology is a leading brand of integrated software and hardware automation systems, in CAD/CAM and PLM, for the sewn products and flexible materials industries, to improve the efficiency of information management, product design and development, pre-production, and production processes.

Rs. 800-crore company, the Orient Craft has steadily been growing to be one of the largest manufacturers in India, manufacturing substantial quantities catering to the huge international apparel market. While most of the companies went through a lean phase during 2007, OC, on the other hand, was busy consolidating its existing operations so as to be fully prepared for new ventures. As a strategy, the company has invested in major production units in Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) and Bhiwadi (Rajasthan).

Lectra, a leader in integrated technology solutions dedicated to the soft goods industries, recently inaugurated a subsidiary in Bangalore, India. Under the leadership of LJ Prashanth, Managing Director, India, the new office aims to develop new sales opportunities and to strengthen proximity with the company’s clients.

Chennai-based ISSS is a leading provider of apparel machinery, consulting and IT solutions in India. To address the growing need of the industry to maintain high quality standards, the company now brings to the domestic market specialized machinery for jobs such as detecting broken needles in finished and packed garments. Detecting broken needles is a requirement by all leading brands worldwide, specially in the US and Europe.

Chennai-based Best & Crompton recently celebrated the commencement of four lines in its newly acquired manufacturing unit at Arakoram. The company having already created a name for itself in fields such as IT, engineering and manufacturing of pumps, castings, powerline accessories, etc.