Turkey became the 2nd largest market by importing machinery worth 96.1 million euros from by Swiss textile machinery manufacturers last year. Always paying close attention to Turkish market, Swiss textile machinery manufacturers will make new launches at ITM 2018 and will explain their vision.

Several of the technologies used by the Turkish textile industry in the production process bear the signature of Swiss engineering. For Swiss textile machinery manufacturers, Turkey maintained its position and power between the largest markets for a long time. The Swiss machine manufacturers will once again highlight their interest in this market at the ITM 2018. Swiss Textile Machinery Association SwissMem President Ernesto Maurer said his members were looking forward to participate in the exhibition.

So far 27 Swiss Companies have registered to the participate in the ITM 2018 according to Maurer, some of them are; Amsler Tex, Benninger, Bräcker, ConVacc, Crealet, Graf, Heberlein, Hunziker, Jakob Müller, Loepfe, Polytex, Rieter, Rotorcraft, Santex Rimar, Saurer, SSM, Trützschler, Uster, Xetma Vollenweider. Maurer; “Turkey is and stays a key market for our industry and our members – so their expectations are high. In terms of connecting with their existing and new customers and also by exploring the current and future market climate.” Maurer stated that their expectations both form the Turkish market and ITM 2018 exhibition is very high.

Swiss textile machinery manufacturers are satisfied with market results for 2017

2017 was a very successful year for the Swiss Textile Machinery manufacturers said Ernesto Maurer announcing very important export numbers. According to that, when compared with the year 2016, exports of the Swiss textile machinery industry totalled 792.9 million euros in the whole of 2017. Exports to China, the largest market, increased by 19% to 113.1 million euros. Exports to Turkey was 96.1 million euros with a 15.3% increase. Exports to India, another important market, declined by 29.6% to 72.9 million euros. Exports to Germany increased by 7.8%, while exports to the US increased by 6%. Maurer said that these figures cover only part of the industry’s exports; “However, most of the machines sold come from local production facilities all over the world and are therefore not included in the Swiss export statistics”.

Innovation and Industry 4.0 will be emphasized

Declaring that some years ago, the Swiss Textile Machinery Association launched a program to support their members in their innovation process, Ernesto Maurer said that this will be highlighted at the ITM 2018 as well. Talking about industry support programs Maurer said;

“Especially for SME’s we recognise that the task of innovating their portfolio, services and processes is a difficult one. This is mainly due to the lack of resources. Therefore we started an initiative which offers to each of our members to analyse their innovation process and portfolio with an external consultant. This allows them to strengthen their respective capabilities and maybe to even find an additional innovation field outside the traditional textile market. Important is the ability to transform these concepts into marketable products and services. In addition we have just launched Industry 4.0 workshops. We aim to provide to our members support in their Industry 4.0 journey, so they are enabled to develop their products and processes in accordance with the latest needs and with their business strategy”.

Markets and demands are shifting, Swiss companies are ready

Noting the long history of the Swiss textile machinery industry; Ernesto Maurer recalled that many members were founded in the second half of the 19th century; a period of industrialization. Maurer said that these companies have been experiencing ups and downs over the years; and that they have had an outstanding reputation over time and touched the subject of ever shifting markets. “Switzerland in its fast and flexible manner is not only following those changes; Switzerland is anticipating and sometimes even shaping their respective changes,” Maurer said and continued;

Having such a long history; the Swiss companies have constantly managed to anticipate changes; developed their business strategy and have continuously evolved. With this history; I am very sure that Swiss companies will also play an eminent role in the (textile) world of tomorrow. The ability to innovate and adapt to a changing environment will ensure that they find solutions to the upcoming challenges. For the seventh year in a row Switzerland is the leading nation for innovation; according to the Geneva-based World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Switzerland has held the top spot since 2011. So I am very confident that the Swiss industry will keep; and even expand its position in the Textile Machinery world.”