German textile machinery manufacturers once again achieved successful results at ITMA ASIA + CITME. In this year’s edition of the exhibition, VDMA (German Textile Machinery Manufacturers Association) member companies comprised the largest foreign exhibitor group of the exhibition with their area. More than 40 VDMA member companies showcased their innovative products at the exhibition held in Shanghai on November 19-23.
President of VDMA Textile Machinery Association Dr. Janpeter Horn said: “Although facing a difficult market situation, this year’s edition of ITMA ASIA + CITME has exceeded the expectations, both in terms of the number of visitors and the quality of the talks. The significant number of foreign visitors to the fair was particularly pleasing.”
Solutions for more sustainable textile production were showcased by numerous exhibitors and VDMA members presented their technologies for saving water, energy and raw materials under the heading ‘smart technologies for green textile production’. Some VDMA member company executives clearly underlined the achievement.
Saurer attracted intense interest with solutions focusing on three megatrends
The CEO of Saurer Intelligent Technology AG Dr. Uwe Rondé stated that they are satisfied with both the number of visitors and the quality of the meetings by disclosing: “Our booth was full from morning to evening with customers focused on latest technologies within the three mega trends: recycling, automation and digitalisation. Although machine utilisation in the spinning mills is still well below average, people are already gathering information and thinking about what to invest in once the market recovers.”
The exhibition exceeded Reiners + Fürst’s expectations
Owner of Reiners + Fürst, Benjamin Reiners said that this year’s ITMA ASIA + CITME exceeded their expectations. Reiners explained that especially on the first day of the exhibition, many high quality customers and decision makers came to their booth. He remarked: “We estimate about 20% international customers mainly from Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. All customers agreed that the market situation at the moment is difficult, capacity usage is between 50-75% in the ring spinning sector and improvement is expected not before the 2nd half of 2024. Nevertheless the general spirit is very positive.”
Trützschler, Oerlikon, Lindauer Dornier are among the satisfied participants
Global Marketing Manager at Trützschler Group SE Bettina Temath said, “This ITMA ASIA was a great success for Trützschler” and added that they welcomed a large number of Chinese visitors as well as a significant number of interested international visitors at their booth.
The CEO and Head of Sustainability of Oerlikon Group’s polymer processing solutions division, Georg Stausberg, also commented on the exhibition as follows: „We can look back on a successful show where we were able to meet many of our customers not only from China, but also from Pakistan, India and Indonesia, for example.”
The head of product line weaving machines and member of the extended management of Lindauer Dornier Wolfgang Schöffl remarked: “A very well-attended trade fair, with interesting discussions, great innovative topics, in line with the modern and rapidly developing China.”
VDMA protected its members’ intellectual property rights throughout the exhibition
The VDMA Textile Machinery Manufacturers Association and VDMA China provided the necessary support to the participating member companies during the exhibition, in particular for IPR (intellectual property rights) protection. With the help of a VDMA expert and a contracted law firm, member company Sahm filed a complaint with the on-site IPR office for patent infringement disputes during the exhibition. The two parties, Sahm and the Chinese company that had used the patented design without authorization, reached an agreement. Accordingly, the Chinese company had to stop displaying patent-infringing functions and designs on site, meaning the removal of some structural parts and the covering up of key components protected by patent protection.
Managing director of VDMA Textile Machinery Dr. Harald Weber concluded: “Asia, and China in particular, represent the primary foreign markets for the VDMA member companies in the sector. The Chinese market is the main destination for their exports. Other major export destinations in Asia include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan. ITMA ASIA + CITME provides a unique platform to showcase technologies for customers directly in Asia. The VDMA member companies are looking forward to the coming edition of the fair from 14 to 18 October 2024 in Shanghai.”
The latest survey of VDMA member companies’ subsidiaries in China gives hope that the economic situation in the Chinese textile industry can improve significantly in the second half of the year. Furthermore, the presence of European textile machinery manufacturers in this important market and trade exhibition along with offering their Asian customers cutting-edge technology in their uphill struggle is appreciated in the market.