AEPC emphasises on R

Mumbai, Sep 21 (UNI) The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) of India has resolved to lay greater emphasis on research&development and training of manpower to counter increased competition from neighbouring China.

''We currently have 15 ATDC centres and as a part of the expansion exercise, we plan to set up 10 new centres soon. For making manpower efficiency on par with neighbouring China, we have tied up with Clothing International Training Authority of Hong Kong (CITA), which specialises in training base and supervisory-level workers,'' council advisor N V R Nathan said while addressing the AEPC organised workshop 'Line Balancing for Increasing Productivity' last night.

The Council has also set up mobile units so that workers based in the interiors of the country can be benefited, he noted.

AEPC Regional Director (Mumbai) Jagannathan said the Council's Economic and Consultancy division was playing a very important role in guiding manufacturers in setting up new units, which gives them scope for expansion of their unit as and when the need arises besides advising them on achieving optimum productivity. In the near future, the Indian apparel industry will need over 20 lakh trained manpower. Thus, it is very important that the workforce becomes highly competitive and productive.

AEPC, in its endeavour to raise the productivity levels and competitiveness of the Indian apparel industry in the post-quota era and establishing it as a leading global player in the world markets, has drawn a calendar of workshops in September.

Roger Thomas, an international consultant from South Africa who has an extensive experience in global apparel production, conducted the interactive workshop last night. He will conduct such workshops in other cities such as Ludhiana, Gurgaon, Indore, Bangalore and Chennai, besides Mumbai.

Based on his study on congenial production environment, he has developed a unique technique known as Roger Thomas Methods Workshop, which has immensely benefited the industry, specially the trainers.

In his address, Mr Thomas dwelled on the various aspects like setting up the balance before starting the process of making the garment, working out an operation sequence, calculating the number of machines, establishing the guides and folders required, giving mechanics the time for getting ready in advance and balancing the line when the order is running.

Addressing the delegates, Mr Thomas who is also a senior director AEPC, said the classic challenge in the management of the assembly lines was to balance the assignment of work to avoid bottlenecks in the flow. This was, however, hard to do because it required knowing how much work was inherent in assembly and then dividing it appropriately among the workers.

Line balancing could be done by a person representing a significant project. Therefore, he should be self-organised and well-versed with various facets of Line Balancing. This is one of the most effective management tool for productivity enhancement, he explained.

Today, when the Indian apparel industry is making a mark all over the world, it is important that the industry should practice management techniques like Line Balancing for productivity enhancement, he pointed out.

The Indian workforce is very cooperative and willing to learn.

But, what the workforce needs to learn is to strike a balance between all operations and obtain maximum productivity, he observed.

The workshop covered the spectrum of the benefits, which may be accrued through Line Balancing.

Besides, he also touched upon other topics like maintaining a good level of work in progress between each operator, dealing with bottlenecks, maximising production output, skills matrix and how to go about setting one up, choosing the best operators for each operation and reducing the lost time to a minimum.

Additional Textile Commissioner Mr Das showered praise on AEPC, saying such workshops can help manufacturers in a big way as the individual manufacturer finds it difficult to access consultants like Mr Thomas.

With the AEPC organising such workshops, they are immensely benefited, he added.

UNI