The local sewing machine industry has faced significant challenges due to the influx of Chinese sewing machines. Despite these obstacles, the industry has competed effectively. However, the progress and hard work of the industry are now threatened by unfair trade practices, such as the dumping of scrap material, which could undermine their achievements.
Although Ludhiana has primarily been producing traditional black sewing machines, there has been a significant influx of advanced and sophisticated white sewing machines from countries like Taiwan, and especially China. This influx has allowed China to dominate majority of the segment in India, putting the local industry on the backfoot.
In response to the rise of Chinese machines and the resulting loss of market share, Ludhiana manufacturers rose to the occasion. Through sheer hard work and grit, and without government grants, they managed to create a superior quality white sewing machine. Remarkably, they introduced this advanced machine at a lower price in the market, a feat that initially seemed impossible.
Over the period of five years, the industry associations worked hard without any government aid. “We didn’t receive any monetary help from the government. However, we coordinated with the R&D centre, District Industries Centre, Central Control Room, and MSME centre in developing and refining the machines to achieve international quality, which cost crores. Together, we were able to create a superior quality white sewing machine at a lower price,” says Gurmukh Singh Rupal, general secretary of the United Sewing Machines and Parts Manufacturers Association.
“The Chinese machines were priced at Rs 24,000, while we priced ours at Rs 17,000. Our machines were of much superior quality. However, the problem began when, in the past couple of years, scrap from Chinese second-hand machines started arriving without any bills. These machines are reassembled here and sold at just Rs 9,000,” Rupal said.
“And it is not a small number. About 2-3 containers of such scrap machinery are arriving here without any bills. Even though our quality is much superior, those setting up new factories opt for the cheaper version, available at half the price,” he said.
“We put in the effort, invested crores over these years, and achieved great quality, yet the influx of second-hand machines is robbing us,” he said.
“The only solution now lies with the government,” says Rupal. “The government must impose stringent measures to stop the import of second-hand sewing machine scrap and plug all avenues for smuggling. We have no solution against the influx of scrap second-hand machinery from China. If it is not stopped, it will derail all the efforts and progress we have made. The government must actively intervene and halt these imports,” he said.
