Textile and garment manufacturers in the UAE are showing increased interest in automated machinery for making unique products, according to an expert on machinery related to technical textiles and garment manufacturing.

Speaking to fibre2fashion, Mr. Iskander Sultan Khwaja, Managing Director of Sharjah-based Al Borj Machinery LLC, said, “In recent years, we have sold automated solutions to a variety of sectors including home textiles, car seats, tents, curtains and dress manufacturing.”

“We foresee huge potential for growth in home textiles, technical textiles and other Industries, directly or indirectly related to the developments of Dubai and the GCC region. The Government of UAE is facilitating development of SME manufacturing sector in the country and despite the increase in overhead costs, UAE is still a better place for business as compared to the other GCC countries,” he says.

Talking about labour costs in the UAE, he says, “Generally, labour component is not more than 20 to 25 percent of total cost of production in the garment sector. Although the labour cost is more in the UAE, compared to India or China, it is still much lower than other GCC and Middle East countries.”

Elucidating on benefits of automation, he says, “Some garment and home textile factories in the UAE are saving on their labour cost by introducing automation, which increases productivity and ensures quality goods. Automation not only helps manufacturers to reduce their labour cost, but it also increases their profit margins.”

Established in 1987, Al Borj Machinery LLC is the market leader in supplying machinery, equipment, spare parts and services to the apparel manufacturing industry in the GCC, Middle East and North African (MENA) region.

“Al Borj’s successful journey is an example of our integrated efforts to give our clients the best advice, best solutions and best service possible, to become one of the foremost industrial solution providers in MENA region,” avers Mr. Khwaja.

“Al Borj has supported its customers in every way, right from choosing the machine, making the layout, identifying the right partner, and providing the much needed training, to completely equip them to achieve their business targets,” he adds.