The Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA) will launch the 15th edition of its signature exhibition, SIMA Texfair 2026, on March 6 at the Codissia Trade Fair Complex in Coimbatore. Originally established in 2001 to boost the MSME-driven textile machinery sector, the biennial event has evolved into a critical procurement engine for the global textile value chain. This year’s exhibition serves as an important platform for the industry to align with India’s ambitious ‘Vision 2030’ targets, which aim for a $350 billion textile market. With 240 exhibitors confirmed - representing domestic clusters like Mumbai and Ahmedabad alongside international innovators from Germany, Switzerland, and Italy - the four-day event is projected to attract over one lakh business visitors seeking advanced technological solutions.
Driving efficiency through AI and cost optimization
Amid rising operational overheads, the 2026 edition shifts focus toward shop-floor resilience and maintenance excellence. A primary highlight is the inaugural ‘SIMA AI Tex Summit,’ designed to introduce automation and AI-driven manufacturing to legacy mills. Durai Palanisamy, Chairman, noted, recent policy tailwinds, including the Union Budget 2026–27’s ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund and rationalized GST on man-made fibers, have created a fertile environment for fresh investments. By showcasing high-tenacity industrial spares and energy-efficient motors, Texfair provides a roadmap for manufacturers to retrofit existing infrastructure. This emphasis on ‘circular spares’ and IIoT-enabled systems aims to reduce unplanned downtime by up to 50 per cent, ensuring that Indian textile MSMEs remain competitive against global counterparts in Bangladesh and Vietnam.
Established in 1933 by Sir RK Shanmugam Chettiar, the Southern India Mills’ Association represents over 500 member mills, accounting for 30 per cent of India’s installed spindles. Headquartered in Coimbatore, the association focuses on policy advocacy, labor relations, and technological modernization. SIMA’s strategic initiatives, including the biennial Texfair, serve as a central catalyst for the South Indian textile cluster’s transition toward sustainable, high-throughput manufacturing models.
