|
|
|
|
| Issue date:05/07/2010 |
| Source:Journal for Asia on Textile & Apparel |
| by Staff Reporters |
|
 |
| Ikuto Umeda |
|
|
|
Continuous research and development for new product technologies is key to sustaining customers’ interest, as good time will not last forever, according to Ikuto Umeda, Chief Executive Officer of Shima Seiki (Hong Kong) Ltd.
Placing emphasis on innovation, Shima Seiki launched a number of new products in this year’s ITMA Asia + CITME. Under the exhibit theme of “Solutions for Diversity”, a representative cross-section of its product line was on display, ranging from conventional shaping and intarsia machines to its latest high-spec WHOLEGARMENT knitting machines, in a wide range of gauges from coarse to ultrafine.
Of the nine machines shown, eight were new, being shown for the first time at an international exhibition. Mr Umeda, who is based in Hong Kong looking after the Asia and China market, talked with AdsaleATA.com at its booth.
Adsale： AdsaleCTA.com
Mr Umeda： Ikuto Umeda, Chief Executive Officer of Shima Seiki (Hong Kong) Ltd.
Adsale： As the textile market in general has been recovering well, how is the knitting market going for Shima Seiki?
Mr Umeda： It has been going very well for us. Business activities resumed from the second half of last year, not only in the China market, but also other markets in the Asian region. In the past six months, about 1,000 machines were sold to these countries, excluding China and Hong Kong. Some factory owners in Hong Kong are buying machines for their plants in Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand and Cambodia. The Turkish market is also developing satisfactorily. It is possible that total turnover of 2010 would be comparable to that of 2007, during which about 10,000 units of our machines were sold worldwide.
Adsale：How do you find the investment trend in China market in particular?
Mr Umeda： In China, the textile mills are facing a rising labour cost while the shortage of workers is getting more and more serious, especially in the finishing sector. Therefore, the factories are investing in machines of higher automation. In view of this trend, we´re confident that 2011 will be even better than this year, as the pace of replacing old machines is expected to be faster.
Today´s Chinese consumers are more effluent and more selective, with higher expectation on the design of garments. Some developed knitwear markets like Italy, Japan and Taiwan have all gone through similar stages of development, though at different paces. With advanced machinery, Chinese factories can take on orders that they were not able to fulfill in the past. Our Wholegarment machine, for example, is a type of machine that can help customers obtain breakthrough in their products.
Adsale： Some people in the industry are concerned that the present market may be overheated. What is your view?
Mr Umeda：The hot market trend will not last forever, so we must invest in R&D, and maintain the investment atmosphere in the market. Being a manufacturer who deal with customers directly, we don´t want to just sell machines but to grow with the market.
Our plan is to keep stimulating market demand and arouse customers´ interests. We try to cater for our customers’ diverse needs with the unique features of our machines so as to create a win-win situation for both sides.
For example, SDS-One Apex 3D apparel design workstation is not only a system for making patterns, but can also connect the manufacturers with their buyers and allow shorter sampling time. We have started to promote the concept of total fashion some 20 years ago, but most customers use the system to only make patterns, especially those OEM factories. Today, knitters need design and planning abilities to stay competitive. In the meantime, the market wants quick delivery of goods with reasonable costs. That’s where our system could help our customers to achieve what they want while being able to play a more active role in the production process.
Highlights of new products from Shima Seiki at ITMA Asia+CITME
The new machines on display at Shima Seiki’s booth were a showcase of the company’s technological strength as well as its preparedness in meeting new demand in the future.
Intarsia machines for versatility
Shima Seiki Mach2SIG machine (click to enlarge) |
MACH2SIG revolutionizes intarsia knitting with higher productivity through the combination of several key features. Maximum knitting speed is increased to 1.4 m/sec.
Intarsia capability is much enhanced through the increase in maximum number of yarn carriers to 40, allowing more flexibility during knitting and expanding the range of possible intarsia patterns.
Also shown is NSIG122-SC 12G, which features the same improvements as NSSG122 machines over the previous SIG series, but also features a new lint remover for the yarn gripper for reduced maintenance. The most significant improvement for Shima Seiki intarsia technology, however, is new Automatic Intarsia Carrier Setting software on SDS-ONE apparel design workstation, which dramatically improves set-up efficiency and diminishes leadtimes.
Depending on the intarsia pattern, what used to take hours or days to program can now be performed in minutes or even seconds.
3D apparel Design Workstation for creativity
At ITMA Asia, three sets of SDS-ONE APEX are shown. One for programming demonstrations in the Machine Zone, and two for Total Fashion System demonstrations in the SDS-ONE APEX Demo Room.
SDS-One Apex 3D apparel design workstation of Shima Seiki (click to enlarge) |
Like Shima Seiki’s SDS-ONE, the SDS-ONE APEX 3-D apparel design workstation continues with Shima Seiki’s tradition of providing total knitting solutions with all-in-one capability. As the central hub of the Total Knitting System and Total Fashion System, which tie together various stages of product planning, design, programming, production, merchandising and retail promotion.
The key to this all-in-one capability is photo-realistic knit simulation. Super-realistic simulations can be created and mapped onto bodies for accurate evaluation and impressive presentations to clients, without the need for costly, time-consuming
sampling work. The system can also handle 3D modeling.
Since machine programming data is prepared simultaneously with design data, production can begin immediately as soon as design approval is obtained. The Knitting Assist function automatically evaluates programming data and detects any
problematic areas prior to actual knitting, preventing costly mistakes later. |
|
| We are collecting readers' comment for improving our website. If you are willing to help, please CLICK HERE to complete a survey. Your comments matter. |
|
|
|
|
| Copyright © Adsale Publishing Limited. Any party needs to reprint any part of the content should get the written approval from Adsale Publishing Ltd and quote the source "ATA Journal for Asia on Textile & Apparel", Adsale Textile English Website - www.AdsaleATA.com. We reserve the right to take legal action against any party who reprints any part of this article without acknowledgement. For enquiry, please contact Editorial Department. |
|
| Copyright © Adsale Publishing Limited. Any party needs to reprint any part of the content should get the written approval from Adsale Publishing Ltd and quote the source "ATA Journal for Asia on Textile & Apparel", Adsale Textile English Website - www.AdsaleATA.com. We reserve the right to take legal action against any party who reprints any part of this article without acknowledgement. For enquiry, please contact Editorial Department. |
|
|
|
Close
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The most selected comment of this article is
(2 votes) |
 |
| interested |
|
|
![]() |
| The most selected comment of this article is interested (2 votes) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Write a mail to the editor : 
