ESTABLISHED in May 1958, the Textile Machinery Manufacturers’ Association (India) — TMMA — has been playing a significant role in the progress of the Indian Textile Engineering Industry (TEI). The member-ship has grown from the original nine founder members to about 80 members who control over 80% of the total production capacity of this industry's organised sector. The membership includes major manufacturers of the cotton, jute, knitting, hosiery and woollen machinery and machine parts, as well as export houses and dealers of textile machinery and accessories.

Since inception, TMMA has played a pivotal role in product development and foreign trade. Under its stewardship, the industry has steadily grown to produce a complete range of quality textile machinery, parts and accessories.

Our country's TEI, which is more than 50 years old, consists of over 750 machinery and equipment manufacturing units, of which over 250 units produce complete machines, and the rest produce parts and accessories. It has invested a capital of Rs 1,750 crore, and built an estimated annual capacity of Rs 3,800 crore. The production of textile machinery in 2004-05 was worth Rs 1,685 crore, and in 2005-06, an estimated Rs 2,151 crore — a 28% increase over the previous year. The industry exports over 25% of its annual production to more than 50 countries, including some developed countries. 55% of exports are from the spares and accessories sector. Today, the machinery produced in the country is generally of the latest technology, with the exception of weaving machinery (shuttleless looms) and some high- tech processing machinery.

TMMA is recognized as one of the premier trade bodies of India and it is consulted by the Government of India at various stages of its policy making etc. Other organizations concerned with the development of the TEI also consult TMMA.

TMMA is one of the five sponsors of India International Textile Machinery Exhibitions Society, which organizes the prestigious International Textile Machinery Exhibition (ITME) once in every four years. India-ITME 2004 was the seventh in the series.

TMMA also encourages research and development within the industry and makes systematic efforts to improve quality on a continuous basis. It mooted the Project Proposal for setting up an R&D Centre at IIT Mumbai to promote development of textile machinery, components and accessories.

TMMA also compiles and disseminates data relating to production and trade in textile machinery. The Association is a member of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC) and Indian Merchants’ Chamber (IMC).

TMMA publishes a comprehensive Buyers’ Guide to Indian Textile Machinery. All the raw materials for this industry, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, wood and rubber products are available in India at globally competitive prices, and so are the services of highly skilled and trained personnel.

Hence, TMMA is working towards this goal of making our country the global hub of the textile engineering industry.