French machinery manufacturers to evaluate opportunities at ITMA 2019. One of the most important participants of ITMA fairs, French machinery manufacturers will participate in this year’s edition by highlighting the themes of innovation and reliable partnership. UCMTF will continue to support its members in order to increase the industry’s share in the global market.
French machinery manufacturers develop high-tech solutions for textile manufacturing processes from spinning to weaving, dyeing and finishing to technical textiles, and will present their competence in this area at the ITMA 2019. Evelyne Cholet, Secretary General of UCMTF, a member of ITMA’s organizer CEMATEX, issued a special statement to Textilegence about the preparations for the upcoming ITMA 2019 and the contributions of UCMTF to the industry. 6th largest textile machinery exporter in the world, French machinery manufacturers are generally working as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The French Association of Textile Machinery Manufacturers (UCMTF) brings together about 30 companies with a total annual consolidated turnover of 1 billion Euros (1,15 billion US Dollars).
Stating that ITMA 2019 will be a great opportunity for themselves and visitors, Cholet said that French companies are preparing to meet with existing and new customers throughout the fair.
French machinery manufacturers to evaluate opportunities at ITMA 2019: increased demand for sustainable solutions
Evelyne Cholet expressed her belief that exhibitors and visitors will focus on new technologies including sustainability and the so called industry 4.0, at ITMA 2019. Cholet noted that sustainability has become a major demand by the final customers nowadays, and relayed that the retailers and the major brands have been asking their clients to offer products with the least possible impact on our planet. Cholet said; “The raw materials used are impacted, the recycled products are very much in demand as well as products made from natural raw materials which have not too much environmental imprints”.
Cholet disclosed that the production process must also be very efficient not to waste raw material, to save energy and water, and they have been very active in promoting savings of each machine but also from the whole production line. Cholet; “To achieve this goal, cooperation are needed between two or more machinery producers. We have been active to promote such cooperation”.
Industry 4.0 to expand faster than expected
Pointing out to Industry 4.0 becoming a reality in the textile industry, Evelyne Cholet indicated that in fact it is already a reality in some factories. “Industry 4.0 will expand much quicker than most people envision,” said Cholet and continued; “In today’s global competition, the gap between the fast moving and the low moving competitors is widening at an incredible speed but great ideas are useless without the right execution. Let’s try to propose a definition of the factory 4.0. It is a factory in which data are collected through sensors or radio frequency identification tags ( RFID) at each step of the production process, analysed on line and automated decisions are made instantly to improve the process inside a factory or between two factories whether inside the same company or with clients or suppliers’ factories”.
Stating that as technology partners, they have to offer not only innovative but disruptive solutions, Cholet reminded that French machinery manufacturers each year introduce some improvements in their machines. Cholet said the internet of things is certainly the main way not only to improve the process of each machine but the whole line production process.
‘We like to be challenged by our customers’
Evelyne Cholet emphasized that French manufacturers work very closely with their customers who face an array of challenges and opportunities: open new markets, design new products, produce them in a reliable, cost effective and sustainable way. Cholet; “They need strategic partners such as providers of innovative industrial solutions and cutting-edge technologies. The French machinery manufacturers are well positioned to be such partners. In fact, what we like is to be challenged by our customers to offer them the machine or the process they need. To make it short, our DNA is R&D, service and partnerships”.
‘Investment demands are picking up despite market fluctuation’
Evaluating 2018 market development, Evelyne Cholet indicated the results change geographically. Cholet indicated that the Chinese market, most important market for French machinery manufacturers, is still contracting, but the US market is booming and shared following data; “In Turkey, after a short lived slowdown in 2016, orders have picked up in 2017 but slowed again in 2018. In India, some of our companies are doing extremely well but other think it is still a little slow. There are also changes in the type of products made with the machines. Sales of machines to produce traditional textiles (apparel) have slowed but sales of machines to produce technical textiles, carpeting or to recycle textiles have soared”.
Relaying that they started 2019 with very good backlogs, Cholet proclaimed that their deliveries will be good. Cholet shared that the uncertainty is about order intakes. Cholet: “On the long run, the textile consumption is very stable with low single digit growth, and then the production is also very stable globally. But big changes may happen in the geographical location of the production. The United States and China are discussing on tariffs and trade. What will the outcome be, it is very difficult to know”.
These uncertainties may have some effects on the investments decisions according to Cholet, but she highlighted the need to modernize the production process is still there to improve the production costs, to have more flexible processes and offer high quality products with zero defects.
‘We have a long-term relationship with Turkish textile manufacturers’
Indicating that the Turkish market is their second or third important market; Evelyne Cholet noted that the relationships with the Turkish textile producers are very easy; because their strategy is exactly the same than their Turkish customers’ strategies. Cholet defined them as ‘a reliable long term solution partners for their customers’; and defended that both are not looking for short term profits but to make their companies stronger; and stronger, to seize the markets opportunities and be able to absorb the difficult years. Cholet continued saying; “As we are machinery and technology solution partners; our Turkish customers are very interested to work with us to implement innovative; “couture” solutions; they know that we deliver and erect the machines on time; give an excellent after sale service and deliver spare parts very efficiently”.
French machinery manufacturers are leading manufacturers
Pointing out that UCMTF member French textile machinery manufacturers develop solutions for the whole textile supply chain; Evelyne Cholet defined the member profile as such; “Our members are particularly strong in long fibre spinning (wool, acrylic …), yarn twisting and control (including technical yarns); space-dyeing, heat setting for carpet yarns, carpet systems, dyeing and finishing; felts and belts for finishing processes, nonwovens, air conditioning of textile plants, and recycling processes of textile materials”.
Cholet underlined that they have a strong sectoral structure; and showed as example the following companies that have achieved successful results;
“In long fibre spinning, N. SCHLUMBERGER is the world leader for, combing, recombing spinning preparation; tow to top and semi-worsted for wool, acrylic, silk, linen, precious fibres and technical fibres.
In yarn processing and control, FIL CONTROL offers a state of the art range of; yarn cutters, yarn break sensors and quality control equipment. The equipment are installed by many machinery manufacturers and sold directly to the textile producers.
In carpet manufacturing processes, SUPERBA, member of the Vandewiele family of companies; is the world leader in space dyeing and heat setting for carpet yarn.
In dyeing and finishing ALLIANCE TEXTILE MACHINES is offering round-shape and long-shape, rotating beam dyeing machines.
For the dyeing and finishing industrialists, DOLLFUS & MULLER supplies textile dryer belts and endless special felts.
In air conditioning, AESA Air Engineering supplies complete textile air engineering systems; in order to maintain the required temperature and humidity adapted to each type of fiber (cotton, rayon, polyester, blends, wool, acrylic).
In the fast growing recycling processes, LAROCHE is a world leader in many applications fields; from industrial wastes or “post-consumer” garments to airlay nonwovens recycled products.
In converting equipment for web form products SPOOLEX offers slitting, rewinding and spooling solutions (Calemard brand); and continuous ultrasonic cutting and welding ( Decoup+ brand).
PETIT offers a unique permanent storage capacity of spare parts”.