Over the past 50 years, as many as 730 publications comprising of research reports, survey reports, mill control reports, focus and trends have been published by SITRA. In addition, based on SITRA’s R & D work and studies in mills, a number of reference books for the management of spinning mills have been brought out. These books focus on the practical problems faced by the mills and the measures that can be taken for improvement. The professional journals have so far published as many as 1000 research papers prepared by the SITRA scientists.

Publications of SITRA play a vital role in disseminating the findings of its research and other works. These are brought out in varied formats and frequencies, depending upon the nature of the information and targeted purpose. On top come the Research reports which contain the research findings of the various studies made by SITRA, with contents more in-depth.

Published after each of these surveys which are conducted at regular intervals, the Survey reports provide inter-mill comparisons of productivity, costs and quality. More importantly, they provide valuable insights into the changes happening in the industry in these aspects over time. Each Mill Control report, based on SITRA’s work, deals with a particular operational theme, with specific attention to control aspects. Brought out as an 8-page leaflet, Focus presents condensed up-to-date information on various topics of immediate interest to technical staff and management in mills. Trends feature analyses the movements in quality and costs, based on the information accumulated in SITRA’s various surveys and studies.

Norms

For three decades, this publication has been immensely popular and served as useful and authoritative reference to generations of textile mill managements, technicians, teachers, students and others connected with textiles. SITRA norms are frequently quoted as benchmarks by High Power Committees and other bodies set up by the Government of India to study the problems of the textile industry, financial institutions, and agencies like Bureau of Indian Standards which certify mills for quality system standards.

The norms reflect the top 10% level of productivity and quality in the Indian Textile Industry. Two factors explain the publication’s enormous success and popularity. First, constant updation of its contents plus addition of new information to keep pace with the increasingly higher performance levels demanded by the industry. Second is the fact that norms are based on SITRA’s constant and continuing research in the relevant fields.

Click here for the full Focus report “Cost reduction in spinning mills - case study 2” Vol.25, No.4, November 2007