Saurer India’s Ashok Juneja Retires After 40+ Years of Leadership

Ashok Juneja , Director – Sales & Services, Saurer India, has been a distinguished figure in the textile machinery industry for over four decades . Associated with the sector since 1981, he now steps back from active employment at the age of 66, leaving behind a legacy shaped by technical mastery, organizational leadership, and notable contributions to India’s textile modernisation.

Mr. Juneja began his career with the Vardhman Group after completing his textile engineering degree. Starting on the shop floor, he gained deep practical exposure before transitioning to installation and servicing of textile machinery. His technical grounding eventually led him into sales of machinery components and later capital machinery with Kirloskar Toyota Textile Machinery (KTTM) .

A pioneer member of KTTM from its inception, he played a vital role in establishing Toyota Japan’s India subsidiary. A major milestone was the sale of the first India-manufactured KTTM ring frame to Vardhman, followed by several installations across leading mills. Over his 18 years with the company, he rose from Area Manager (North) to Vice President – Textile , overseeing full P&L responsibilities and building strong Sales, After-Sales, and Service teams. His efforts accelerated the adoption of advanced machinery and set new benchmarks in customer service and reliability.

At Saurer Textile , Mr. Juneja continued to drive innovation and customer-focused growth. He contributed significantly to establishing Saurer’s manufacturing base in India and achieved key milestones such as the sale of the first India-made Saurer Ring Frame and the first Speed Frame with Auto-Doffer . Under his leadership, Saurer strengthened its engagement with spinning clusters through technology showcases and knowledge-sharing initiatives, reinforcing his reputation as a forward-looking industry champion.

Beyond corporate roles, he has been deeply engaged with TMMA, ITME Society, TITOBA, IFTA, and The Textile Association (India), serving as Life Member, President of TAI–Delhi , and ultimately National President of The Textile Association (India) . Known for his mentoring spirit, he has guided many young engineers and sales professionals who now hold leadership roles across the sector.

Reflecting on his journey, Mr. Juneja often emphasizes that India’s textile strength lies in its resilience, innovation, and eagerness to embrace technology. As he moves into the next chapter, he remains committed to contributing through knowledge-sharing and supporting the next generation of textile professionals.