Circular knitter Teejay Lanka has completed the $15 mn upgrade of its Indian fabric mill, which is based within the Brandix India Apparel City in Andrapradesh. With its capacity now doubled, the Sri Lanka based firm, a joint venture between Hong Kong’s Pacific Textiles and Sri Lanka’s Brandix Lanka, will be producing around more than 40 mn mtr of fabric per year. The increased capacity is expected to help the firm meet the growing demand from its EU customers following the resumption of the GSP duty free market access programme. It is a major supplier to apparel manufacturers throughout Europe and the US counting Victoria’s Secret, Marks and Spencer and Intimissimi among its major clients.
The company produces both single and double jersey fabrics on mainly Fukuhara and Pai Lung machines. It also runs banks of the latest circular knitting technology from Mayer & Cie, Terrot and Orizio with fabrics knitted in a range of weights and gauges from 100 to 300 gsm. The gauges used for the rib fabrics are 15, 16, 18 and 20G, for single jersey 24, 28, 32 and 36G and for Interlock 24, 28 and 40G. As well as basic jersey, rib, interlock and pique, they also produce a number of speciality fabrics such as Ponti de Roma, waffles, striped fabrics, thermals and slub jersey.
The expansion includes new knitting machines as well as equipment for dyeing, finishing and inspection as well as fully automated Packing Machines, a Lab Dip Dispenser for Colour Service and a chemical dispensing system. “We now have a remarkable new facility in India which is one of the best in BIAC and sends a clear message that Teejay is a global company which believes in high standards of production, and is ready to take on more orders,” the company’s Deputy Chief Executive Pubudu De Silva said in a statement. “The decision to expand despite tough market conditions is likely to be one of the best the company has made, as it equips Teejay to tap into the broader Asian and expanding the EU business”.
