Ashok Juneja Retires After 40+ Years In Textile Industry
Ashok Juneja, Director – Sales & Services at Saurer India and one of the textile industry’s most respected leaders, has stepped back from active professional roles at the age of 66, marking the end of an well-known career spanning more than four decades.
Juneja, who entered the textile sector in 1981 after completing his textile technology degree, began his journey on the shop floor of the Vardhman Group. His early hands-on exposure laid the foundation for a career that blended deep technical expertise with strategic leadership. After initial roles in machinery installation and servicing, he transitioned into sales of machinery components and later capital machinery, joining Kirloskar Toyota Textile Machinery (KTTM) as one of its pioneer members.
During his 18-year tenure at KTTM, Juneja played a key role in establishing Toyota Japan’s India subsidiary and driving the adoption of advanced spinning machinery across the country. A major achievement was facilitating the sale of the first India-manufactured KTTM ring frame to Vardhman, followed by installations in several top mills. Rising from Area Manager (North) to Vice President – Textile, he led Sales, After-Sales and Service functions with full P&L responsibility, helping the company set new benchmarks in reliability and customer engagement.
At Saurer Textile, Juneja continued to champion innovation and customer-centric growth. He was instrumental in building Saurer’s manufacturing presence in India and achieved major milestones, including the sale of the first India-made Saurer Ring Frame and the first Speed Frame with Auto-Doffer. He further strengthened Saurer’s ties with India’s spinning clusters through technology showcases, knowledge sessions and industry networking.
Juneja’s contributions extend well beyond corporate offices. An active figure in several textile associations, including TMMA, ITME Society, TITOBA, IFTA and The Textile Association (India), he served as Life Member, President of TAI–Delhi and later National President of The Textile Association (India). Widely regarded as a mentor, he has guided numerous young engineers and sales professionals who today lead various parts of the textile value chain.
Looking back on his journey, Juneja often highlighted India’s inherent strengths; resilience, innovation, manufacturing excellence and a readiness to embrace new technology. Even as he steps away from full-time roles, he remains committed to supporting the industry through knowledge-sharing and nurturing the next generation of textile professionals.
