Page 70 - TEXtalks. October- November 2023
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                                                                                                                                   sustainability and reduced carbon emissions.      Profitable in spinning
                                                                                                                                   “Businesses are adopting more energy-efficient    China’s competitive advantages come from its
                                                                                                                                   processes and technologies to meet stringent energy   large-scale and integrated manufacturing
                                                                                                                                   conservation and emission reduction targets,” says   capabilities, along with the use of advanced
                                                                                                                                   Peter Schnickmann, Managing Director at Luwa Air   automation and digitization technologies. Spinners
                           How Swiss machinery                                                                                     Engineering (Shanghai). He notes an investment    aim to capitalize on extended market opportunities,
                                                                                                                                   trend for solutions helping Chinese companies cut
                                                                                                                                                                                     with more economical production. The latest air-jet
                                                                                                                                   operational costs and minimize their carbon footprint.
                                                                                                                                                                                     spinning machines serve these goals, allowing
                    companies serve the huge                                                                                       To enhance the reputation of both companies and   exceptionally low production costs per kilogram of
                                                                                                                                                                                     yarn, coupled with high flexibility and reliability.
                                                                                                                                   products – and boost the image of the entire industry
                         Chinese textile industry                                                                                  – the environmental impact needs to decrease.     Sustainable yarns are in great demand. Innovative
                                                                                                                                   Priorities are saving water and waste, as well as
                                                                                                                                                                                     systems from Swiss manufacturers enable spinners
                                                                                                                                   reducing, replacing or completely eliminating the use
                                                                                                                                   of harmful substances. China has a strong demand   to produce fine, high-quality ring and compact yarns
                                                                                                                                                                                     from challenging raw material. This holds true even
                                                                                                                                   for environmental-friendly solutions and sustainable   with a relatively high proportion of mechanically
            China is one of the world’s biggest textile markets.   technology and textile expertise to help the Chinese            technologies. “China is an important business     recycled cotton fibres.
            The industry there has experienced substantial    spinning industry stay at the forefront of innovation,”              partner for Benninger demanding salt-free dyeing
            growth and evolution, becoming a hub for textile   says Thomas Oetterli, CEO Rieter Group.                             solutions, water consumption figures and modern   The automation trend in spinning mills focuses on
            production, innovation, and consumption. Swiss    All Swiss companies with serious business goals in                   dispensing systems,” says Rolf Erik Schoeler, Head   connecting production processes. Data is used to
       Swiss Review  to support the future goals of China’s textile   with customers and maintain strong relationships.            Customer-oriented in weaving                      raw material usage, reduction of waste, and energy   Swiss Review
            machinery manufacturers adapted in the past to the
                                                                                                                                   of Sales & Marketing at Benninger Group.
                                                                                                                                                                                     ensure the highest quality standards, most efficient
                                                              China have made similar commitments to connect
            specific market situation and are now ready and able
                                                                                                                                                                                     savings. To make spinning mills more competitive,
            manufacturers.
                                                              “Geographical proximity allows the companies to
                                                                                                                                   The huge number of Chinese fabric producers calls
                                                                                                                                                                                     latest solutions combine cutting-edge hardware,
                                                              adopt a strong customer-centric approach and
                                                                                                                                   for an immense volume of weaving machinery to be
                                                                                                                                                                                     data-enabled software and renowned textile
            In China, the textile industry is forward-looking and
                                                              provide more effective local installation support,
                                                                                                                                   supplied by international and local providers. Thanks
                                                                                                                                                                                     expertise.
                                                              training, and field services to customers,” says Frank
            resilient – with a healthy appetite for new
                                                                                                                                   to their customer-oriented approach, Swiss
            technologies and a determination to keep its leading
            position. Sustainability is increasingly coming into
                                                                                                                                   of this business.
                                                                                                                                                                                     improve and extend growth and quality management
                                                              Understanding customers
            focus, so there is a growing demand for recycling   Naef, Head of Marketing, Loepfe Brothers.                          machinery manufacturers hold an impressive share   For many decades, Uster has been working to
                                                                                                                                                                                     practices in China. “We are happy to have
            technologies, as well as automated solutions and   Swiss companies also understand that Chinese                        Chinese weavers require advanced technology, with   contributed positively to the successes and the
            digitalization. Cornelia Buchwalder, Secretary General   customers require dedicated attention, and that               increasingly higher standards of efficiency. Swiss   reputation of Chinese textile products,” says
            of the Swiss Textile Machinery Association, is clear:   speed is more essential than ever in delivering both           Textile Machinery Association members meet these   Sivakumar Narayanan, Head of Marketing and
            “China is the main market for a large number of our   machines and services.                                           needs in many ways. In weaving preparation, latest   Business Development at Uster Technologies.
            association members.”
                                                              China’s move towards self-sufficiency is a continuing                solutions match the speed, quality and reliability now   Work together, meet together
            Market proximity                                  trend. Stäubli has developed local products for the                  wanted. Weaving machines too offer the            On top of growing consumer demand and
            Swiss companies realized many years ago that      Chinese market and built long-standing partnerships                  eco-efficiency, performance, and ease of use      technological capabilities, the latest ambitious
            geographical proximity is the key to success. For   with many local companies. “The technical                          needed, with innovations that extend the scope of   five-year plan will drive further development of the
            example, Stäubli has started to set up offices in   development of the partners goes hand in hand with                 sustainable weaving, and open-platform systems    Chinese textile industry in world markets, and Swiss
            Chinese cities since 1998 and counts 12 locations   our local competence, which we have built up in                    configurable to weavers’ specific operations.     companies will work with all stakeholders to enable
            today, to serve the whole country. In 2002, Itema   Hangzhou over the years,” says Fritz Legler, Textile                                                                 its success.
            established a centralized local branch which today   Marketing Officer at Stäubli. Developments in new                 It’s important to note that Swiss weaving machinery is
            has 160 employees in various functions. Loepfe has   technology and automation are taking Chinese mills                appreciated both by major manufacturers and by the   Swiss companies are especially close to players in
            expanded its presence by creating an independent   further into the digital age, with machinery                        smaller companies who need both reliable          the Chinese market, as will be demonstrated at the
            local business unit to overcome the 9,000 km      incorporating intelligence and high engineering                      equipment, as well as expert training and ongoing   upcoming ITMA Asia + CITME in Shanghai. At the
            distance by air, while Uster Technologies has had a   performance.                                                     support.                                          event, 15 association members look forward to
            Chinese subsidiary since 1982, with offices and                                                                                                                          seeing their many customers again – and meeting
            service stations in different provinces. Luwa set up its   Manufacturers in China are seeking cost-effective           A huge increase in demand for technical textiles in   new ones. They are also keen to leave a deep
            offices and workshop in Shanghai in 1997. Rieter   solutions to remain competitive, while consumers are                recent years has been driven by applications such as   impression by presenting their latest innovations.
            established a presence in mainland China in 2005,   looking for value in their purchases. Companies need               carbon fiber, aramid and glass fiber. “We will take the   Information about exhibitors from the Swiss Textile
            driven by a strong commitment to expanding the    to develop solutions that provide tangible economic                  occasion of the upcoming ITMA Asia in Shanghai to   Machinery Association and their booth locations is
            country’s know-how and expertise – and ten years   benefits to their clients. Furthermore, energy savings              host an event sharing know-how and experience on   available at
            later opened an advanced research center. “We are   have become paramount in China, due to the                         technical fabrics,” says Matteo Mutti, Managing   https://www.swisstextilemachinery.ch/stories/itmaasia
            firmly committed to delivering the cutting-edge   government's commitment to environmental                             Director at Itema Switzerland.                    -booth-location.

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