The 15th edition of SIMA Texfair, one of India’s most focused Textile Machinery, Accessories & Spares exhibitions, is set to take place from March 6 to 9, 2026, at the CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex, Coimbatore. Organized by The Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA), Texfair has steadily evolved into a must-visit platform for textile stakeholders, not only from India but from across global textile hubs.
Over the years, Texfair has carved a distinct identity as an exhibition that addresses the practical, day-to-day requirements of the textile industry—particularly in the area of Spares, Accessories, and Auxiliary Equipment. In an exclusive interaction, Dr. K. Selvaraju, Secretary General, SIMA, shared insights into the journey of Texfair, its philosophy, and what makes the 2026 edition particularly significant.
A Legacy Rooted in the Textile Value Chain
Tracing SIMA’s origins helps understand the ethos behind Texfair. “SIMA was established in 1933 by Sir R.K. Shanmukham Chetty, the first Finance Minister of independent India,” Dr. Selvaraju recalled. “From day one, the Association was envisioned as a professional body representing the entire textile industry of South India—right from fibre to fashion.”
Over nearly nine decades, SIMA has played an active role in shaping policy and addressing industry challenges. “SIMA has been rendering services across labour relations, industrial laws, taxation, shipping, transportation, power, and environment,” he said, adding that the Association has consistently worked with both State and Central Governments in policy formulation for the benefit of the textile industry.
The Genesis of Texfair
The idea of Texfair was born out of a clear gap in the exhibition landscape. While large international exhibitions catered well to textile machinery manufacturers, a significant segment remained underserved.
“Textile Spares and Accessories manufacturers, who account for nearly three percent of the industry’s turnover, were largely neglected,” Dr. Selvaraju explained. “Most of them are Micro and Small units. Participating in International exhibitions was either unaffordable or ineffective due to limited display opportunities.”
Recognising this need, SIMA’s former Chairman, Mr. Manikam Ramaswami, conceptualised Texfair. “He mooted the idea of a focused exhibition exclusively for this segment and set the ball rolling,” Dr. Selvaraju noted.
Strong Foundations and Unwavering Support
From the very beginning, SIMA was determined to position Texfair at International standards. The timing worked in their favour. “The CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex had just been established then,” Dr. Selvaraju said. “We are especially grateful to Mr. A. V. Varadaraj, the then Chairman of CODISSIA, for his unwavering support during the first edition held in August 2001.”
From Small Beginnings to Record Footfalls
The inaugural edition featured 186 exhibitors from Coimbatore, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and select international locations. “The rest, as they say, is history. There was no looking back,” Dr. Selvaraju remarked. “From the 2013 edition onwards, Texfair has consistently recorded over one lakh footfalls—something very few exhibitions can claim.”
For Texfair 2026, over 250 exhibitors are expected to showcase their products across approximately 12,500 square metres of exhibition space.
An Exhibition That Welcomes the Shop Floor
One of Texfair’s defining strengths is its inclusive visitor profile. “Unlike many exhibitions, Texfair is open not just to top management but also to shop-floor personnel—technicians, electricians, fitters—who actually work with these spares and accessories,” Dr. Selvaraju pointed out.
For exhibitors, this translates into tangible business value. “Nearly 60 percent of stalls get booked within an hour of the announcement. That speaks volumes about the popularity and trust the event enjoys,” he said. He also highlighted that, unlike outsourced events, “Texfair is fully managed by the SIMA Secretariat, ensuring transparency and efficiency.”
| SIMA Chairman, Mr. Durai Palanisamy’s Message: “The last few months have been harbingers of good news for the textile industry. The signing of the EU Free Trade Agreement, followed by the heartening announcement of the US tariff rollback, has significantly strengthened industry sentiment. With the Government continuing to provide positive impetus to the textile sector, we at SIMA are confident that the industry is firmly on course to achieve double-digit growth.” “We extend our warm welcome to all stakeholders to participate in the exhibition and benefit from the opportunities it offers. Let us all hope that Texfair 2026 heralds a new, growth-driven dawn for the textile industry.” |
Policy Presence and Knowledge Exchange
Complementing the exhibition, SIMA has planned two days of concurrent conferences. “One of the key conferences will focus on digital transformation and technology development, enabling buyers to source products online more effectively,” he said.
Exhibitor Profile at a Glance
Texfair 2026 will feature manufacturers and suppliers from across the textile ecosystem, including Textile Machinery, Accesories and Spares for Ginning, Spinning, Weaving, Processing, Knitting and Garmenting; Textile Testing Equipment; Pneumatic and Humidification systems; Energy-saving solutions; Auxiliary equipment; Lubricants; Electrical and Electronic items; and Logistics and Power solutions.
