The well-known weaving technology developer Stäubli drew attention with its innovative weaving solutions at the ITM 2024. The company, leaving behind the exhibition with effective discussions and demonstrations, also announced, on the very first day, SAFIR PRO S67 has been sold to LUTUF MENSUCAT A.Ş, at its booth with the participation of the company’s representative.
Stäubli Textile Marketing Officer Fritz Legler said that they are very pleased with the interest from Turkish weavers and noted: “Our advanced automatic drawing-in machine SAFIR PRO S67 captivated the attention of Turkish weavers throughout the exhibition. LUTUF MENSUCAT, a leading customer in Türkiye invested in this machine that offers increased efficiency, flexibility, and productivity, allowing for more complex beams with features like colour and yarn control. It is a star in the Turkish market, offering user-friendliness and adaptability.”
LUTUF MENSUCAT explained that they will use SAFIR PRO S67 to improve their weaving process: “Currently with our 248 weaving machines, our daily production output averages 50,000 m. In order to meet the various market demands, we always invest the first-tier, high-performance, high-speed machinery. Our investment in the Stäubli SAFIR PRO S67 will pave the way for a smoother and more efficient weaving process, leading to high-quality fabric production and quick adaptation to market needs.”
The sector discovered the possibilities in weaving at the Stäubli booth
Stäubli also unveiled its new high-performance dobby, the S3280, designed to operate at industrial speeds exceeding 1000 bpm. “This will enable our customers to fully utilize the mechanical speed potential of weaving machines, thereby increasing productivity. The S3280 represents Stäubli’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of textile machinery performance,” Fritz Legler explained.
Addressing the industry’s growing focus on sustainability, Legler highlighted the SX-Pro and the Pro series of Stäubli’s jacquard machines. These innovations, along with the MX PRO modules, can reduce energy consumption by up to 30%. “This helps our customers reduce costs and optimize their production environment, contributing to a greener, more sustainable industry,” he emphasized.
Legler, answering our questions about visitor turnout, noted a slight decline compared to three years ago, particularly from outside Türkiye. “We had many more visitors from Iran, Uzbekistan, Central Asia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh during the last exhibition. However, we are satisfied with the quality of visitors,” he explained and highlighted the presence of key Turkish customers and a reasonable number of visitors from Egypt.
“Our success lies in our longevity and proximity to our customers”
Despite the challenging global economic environment, Fritz Legler expressed optimism about the Turkish market. “Our Turkish customers are very flexible and creative. They will find solutions to cope with the current difficulties,” he remarked. Acknowledging the impact of inflation, high interest rates, and logistical issues, he advised patience, predicting that it might take well into next year for the market to stabilize.
Responding to our question of what is the key to the success of Stäubli in the Turkish market, Legler attributed their success to longevity and customer proximity. “Our success lies in our longevity, spanning 130 years, and proximity to our customers. We have our own company here, not just in Istanbul, but also in key textile centres like Gaziantep, Bursa, and Denizli. We listen to our customers, understand their needs, and develop solutions accordingly,” he affirmed.