Sambandam Spinning Mills Limited, a trailblazer in yarn manufacturing in South India, has established itself as a prominent player in the industry. Founded in 1974 by Shri S.P. Sambandam, Shri S.P. Ratnam, and Shri. S.P. Rajendran, the company has experienced remarkable growth, expanding its capacity from a modest 2000 spindles to an impressive 2,00,000 spindles today. Operating from its headquarters in Salem, the company’s operations are efficiently managed by a strong leadership team.
As a conglomerate of five well-equipped spinning mill units, Sambandam Spinning Mills not only supplies top-quality products to leading fabric manufacturers in the country but also exports more than 50% of its production to Eastern Europe and far Eastern countries including Italy, Germany, Indonesia, China, Japan, and Columbia. The company’s commitment to excellence is evident through its advanced technology, state-of-the-art machinery, and a reliable power generation capacity of 80%.
With an unwavering focus on customer satisfaction, Sambandam Spinning Mills leaves no stone unturned regarding quality control. Stringent procedures and meticulous attention to detail are followed at every stage, from procurement to packaging and shipment, ensuring that they consistently deliver the highest standards to their valued clients. With close to five decades of experience in the industry, Sambandam Spinning Mills takes pride in its legacy of quality, blending traditional craftsmanship with innovative technology.
The company’s success stems from a team of dedicated professionals, led by Mr. D. Niranjan Kumar, the director of marketing, who recently took part in a discussion with the TVC Media Team. He specializes in product development and value addition. Under his leadership, a young and creative team of twenty is entrusted with driving innovation. Additionally, Mr Kumar oversees manufacturing and support systems such as stores and labour management. His expertise is widely recognised within the industry, as reflected in his membership on committees such as SIMA (Southern India Mills’ Association) and the executive committee of the Textile Skill Sector.
Can you provide an overview of Sambandam Spinning Mills and its current capacity?
Sambandam spinning mills Ltd is a pioneer in the manufacturing of yarn in the country. The company was formed in the year 1973 by the promoter Late Sri. S.P Sambandam with a capacity of 2000 spindles initially and the company has grown over several decades in leaps and bounces to touch a scaled-up present capacity of 1,25,000 spindles.
The company initially had one manufacturing unit at Salem in TN and further expanded up to three manufacturing units now(spindles including “doubling process” capacity) over some time evidencing substantial business growth.
The company has strong technical expertise professionalistic manpower and fully modernised and tuned machinery – for manufacturing various yarns made from cotton, cellulosic, man-made and sustainable fibres in the count range of 20s to 100s. The company has a full-fledged R&D foundation and has been recognized by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories, and it is working towards improving the quality of the new products the company creates. The company’s products are well received in the local and international markets, Eastern European and far Eastern countries. The company has been regular in modernizing its manufacturing units and now all the units are fully modernized.
What is the company’s approach to product development and value addition? How does your team contribute to this process?
The Company has full-fledged research and development with highly skilled technicians along with dedicated research equipment. Every innovation in R & D is experimented with, time tested and implemented on the shop floor for further scaling up for best productivity.
Further, the company has a dedicated research and development centre equipped with High Volume Index (HVI), AFIS, UTJ, UT5, and UQC and ensures quality products are delivered. SSML laboratory is accredited with ISO/IEC 17025 by NABL.
The company is always on the lookout for new fibres, innovations in all of its products, process designs and getting ready for the future.
How do you balance your responsibilities between product development and overseeing manufacturing and support systems like stores and labour management?
We have a dedicated pilot plant and its sub-systems installed in our factories for running all trials of new products and the existing other resources like labour and stores will be shared for this pilot plant without affecting the regular production.
Could you share some successful examples of product development and value-addition initiatives undertaken by your team?
One unit ( factory) is dedicated to tailor-made products ( apart from regular products) that suit the specific requirements of customers. Further Various types of Melange yarns the prominent ones being Fancy Slub Yarn Bamboo mélange yarn, apart from regular ordinary mélange varieties
- Some of the other best developments are recycled cotton, recycled wool, and recycled linen are new products
- Every two years, new colour shades are launched and colour shade books are also published.
- Because of a high standard of R & D and coupled manufacturing process cum value-added products we have been retained as preferred customers by the buying houses and for the big brands
- And many more are in the pipeline shelf /on the anvil that will be introduced after product due diligence.
What technologies and machinery does Sambandam Spinning Mills employ in its production lines? How do these contribute to maintaining high-quality standards?
High-end manufacturing processes like Carding and combing process are used for making yarn. Following machinery are used in various stages and continuously being upgraded in the course of manufacture
- Blow room ( Trumac/Blendomat)
- Carding (Rieter/Trumac)
- Contamination Clearer
- Uster – Vision Shield Joshi (Uster – Vision Shield Joshi)
(Vetal – RAPPID / SLANT)
- Spinning (KTTM RXI / Sussion Elite)
(Compact system)
(LMW)
- Autoconer (QPRO+ /Schlafhorst ) with Uster Quantum Clearer – 4
- TFO – (Veejay Lakshmi)
- COMBER –(Rieter)
- DRAWING – (Rieter)
- SIMPLEX – (Zinser)
Can you elaborate on the company’s quality procedures and the measures taken to ensure every quality facet is given utmost importance?
For five decades, Sambandam has thrived on its legacy in Quality. From classic craftsmanship to innovative technology, Sambandam draws on every virtue of the yarn trade. As the brand name implies, our brand sets standards and performance pace that others follow.
Consistently driven by quality-centric and knowledge-driven professionals, we infuse trust in our customers/clients who have been investing confidence in us.
We have dedicated decentralized quality control laboratories in each factory and also a centralized quality assurance team and system and ensure that the quality of the products is assured through an internal benchmarking system.
How does Sambandam Spinning Mills maintain its production capacity of 20 million kgs of yarn annually? What measures are in place to optimise productivity and compete internationally?
Periodic maintenance is carried out in the factory in all machinery and support equipment to ensure the smooth running of the machinery thereby production capacity is maintained throughout the year. Production capacity is optimized through periodic measurement of resources used and taking corrective measures then and there. The following measures are taken to remain internationally competitive.
- A fully integrated supply chain is in operation
- With sophisticated technology, state-of-the-art machinery production lines with substantial power generation capacity and the best of mind at work, we focus on delivering the best to the customers every time
- The company is fully stable on QCDS (Quality, Cost, Delivery and safety)
- We are a trendsetter in fashion, and bring an attractive gamut of Fabrics in various colours, designs and patterns
- Distinct identity in the market the first being its brand name –very unique in the yarn category and also offering sustainable yarn and its various blends
- Excellent Production capability with Multi fibre process technology and Flexible production system
- Maintain Large and deep domestic market
- The company is nominated by major brands and many others from whom nominations /approval are in pipeline
- The company is also a passive supplier to leading brands and remains as a preferred customer on Price, quality and after-sales services at customer site, perspectives
- Quick samples delivery according to customer specification
- Demonstrate the customer at their site on our product usage thereby reducing their throughput time, improving productivity like more fabric realization, reducing wastage and rework at their end. In this process, make them familiarize with our product and its application range
- Frequent customer visits, doing customer delight programs such as training their workforce on handling all our products including slub yarn
- Ensure that after-sales service happens through follow-up, customer site visits and enable them to use our products rightfully and give them comfort to work with our product
- Saturation of Spinning industry with many players is a key entry barrier coupled with technology advancement for introducing new products in terms of process capability, product design and cost competitiveness. Logistics too in the supply chain play its part as an entry barrier. Apart from the above, new product introduction to cater to market requirements
What certifications and awards has the company received about its product quality, operational performance, and environmental aspects?
The Company has ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 Certification issued by SGS, GRS (Global Recycled Standard Certificate), GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard Certificate) and BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) Certificate No.T-0825, OCS (Organic Content Standard) Certificate No.GCL-302280-OCS-2307, GOTS, GRS. Our Research and Development Foundation has been recognized by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories, New Delhi. This foundation is constantly working towards improving the quality of the product
Additionally the company is marching towards LCA certification (Life Cycle Assessment) and recently we have won the Best Innovation award in sustainable products conducted by Textile Fairs India, in New Delhi. We remain in the top five ranks slot in the “techno facts award” instituted by SIMA.
Could you explain the role of infrastructure, people, and technology in Sambandam Spinning Mills’ business model? How does the company ensure an efficient process that ties them together?
SSML has five decades of long-established presence in the Indian woven knitted and home tech textiles market. The company is primarily engaged in the manufacture of 100% cotton yarn in 20s to 80s counts, with extended varieties such as viscose & polyester blended melange yarn and multi-fibres etc. Its presence in the medium and finer counts provides flexibility to change its product mix based on the demand across end-user product categories. The company has an excellent manufacturing infrastructure with three manufacturing plant setups all on the main roads in Salem with ease of logistics and accessibility by all customers and all stakeholders.
The company has ample sources of power required for the above manufacture with self-generated captive power (wind power generation) catering to 60% of total requirements. Further self-generation to the extent of 12.5 megawatts by way of renewable energy and 8-megawatt solar power projects with an investment of Rs 50 crores is installed and is in operation and both above self-generation will cater to 90% of the total power requirement.
SSML endeavours to promote a work culture that fosters learning, individual growth, team spirit and creativity to overcome challenges and attain goals. The company gives employment opportunities to candidates from a nearby Polytechnic school specially run by trustees and managed by the company.
The company believes that employees make our organization and that their well-being is given utmost importance and priority on their safety, commitment and growth of. To ensure their well the company has promoted a 100 bedded multi-speciality hospital (SPMMH) with eminent doctors, and healthcare employees installed the latest medical, and diagnostic equipment and providing the best health care at an affordable cost both to company employees and also to society at large
The company maintains complete statistical records about the health parameters of all employees and provides fully free health check and health care basic treatments
What are the company’s future goals and objectives? How does Sambandam Spinning Mills plan to achieve sustainable growth and make a difference to its stakeholders?
Going forward, the company plans to enter into the Knitted garment and woven garments category.
The company is exploring possibilities beyond TN and south India for which a separate marketing system and set-up are being worked out. The company has entered into a perpetual marketing arrangement with Reliance Industries and Lenzing who prefer our products as and when they are about to launch a new product from their end.
SSML is a recognised partner by Grasim Industries for remaining as the brand “Liva natural” fluid fashion and for delivering excellence in the quality of Liva-based fabrics by the purchase of fibres from Grasim Industries
Company is geared up for a big leap in higher production and sales with existing infrastructure and shall have a breakthrough on Value added product launches and its marketing.
Further, The company has gone ahead with innovative measures such as investments in cost reduction projects, solar power projects, and additional equipment for improving productivity
Can you share more about Kasturi Cotton and your mill contribution to the initiative?
A new variety/brand of cotton called “Kasturi Cotton Bharth” has been introduced in the industry and it is an initiative of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, The branding, traceability and certification of Kasturi Cotton is already implemented by Sambandam Spinning Mills Limited with the support of The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL), in association with the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI). It has very high standards on staple length, fibre strength very low trash percentage and very low moisture content has unique benefits such as Confirming quantifiable standards of superior quality, increase of softness in a fabric, increase in strength of the fabric, durability of the fabric, improved colour vibrancy, confirmation of its origin ( made in India )and lastly verifiable and traceable using blockchain technology and can generate trust among the users Consumers, too can see the journey of Kasturi Cotton in their product through the supply chain from start to finish.
Because of its unique special nature as described above Sambandam spinning mills have spearheaded and started using it (Kasturi Cotton) in yarn production as a front runner in the country to produce the best quality yarn.
