“Production units need to streamline their operations, using automated machinery to maintain repeatability & reproducibility...
Stäubli is an innovative mechatronics solutions provider with dedicated divisions in textile, robotics, and connectors. Started as a small workshop in 1892 in Horgen, Zurich, Switzerland, today the company's business portfolio cuts across with its presence is 25 countries, and agents in 50 countries; worldwide. It is one of the world's leading manufacturers of cutting edge textile machinery. Passion for quality, duly supported by the industrial experience of its leaders had been, and is, the driving force of its success, and development.
A highly qualified CEO, Mr Rolf Strebel has more than 30 years of professional experience. A result focused, and effectual leader with proven abilities of keen analysis, insights, and team approach to drive organizational improvements, Mr Strebel leads the company as CEO since 2007. Acknowledged nationally for ground breaking efforts in organizational effectiveness, he is also a prolific researcher, and an expert facilitator.
In a special session with Fibre2Fashion, Mr. Rolf Strebel talks about the revolutionary makeovers in the textile machinery sector, and his company's sustainability mission.
Fibre2Fashion featured an interview with you back in 2007. Mr. Rolf Strebel, we welcome this opportunity to interact with you again. To start with, Stäubli had an amazingly long journey of 120 years. Tell us about the revolutionary makeovers in the textile machinery sector during this span.
It is with pleasure that I answer your questions and would like to thank you for inviting me again to share our views with your global audience.
Stäubli has indeed enjoyed a long history and has seen many industrial changes over the span of its existence. Traditional values such as providing our global customer base with innovative products and services, continuity and high quality offerings have brought about some quantum leaps and major technological breakthroughs:
To name a few:
Offering mechanized and automated beam knotting and tying solutions for the first time some 80 years ago.
Bringing out new shed forming solutions with, for instance, the rotative mechanism of dobby machines some 30 years ago.
Guaranteeing new design opportunities with electronically controlled Jacquard machines since the eighties of last century.
Introducing process-controlled and fully automated drawing-in machines with our DELTA machines in 1991.
Offering single-end or hook control with individual stepper drives on Jacquard machines with our UNIVAL line in 1991.
Briefly discuss Stäubli’s automation steps for streamlining warp preparation operations in India.
A major achievement and breakthrough in India was the introduction of the first automatic drawing-in machines during the nineties. This helped our customers to close a major gap from a fully automated process in the area of warp beam preparation with e.g. sectional or direct warping to add the automated drawing-in to avoid the manual drawing-in process. Today`s drawing-in machines with either the Delta- or Safir-lines enable 5 – 10 times the number of ends drawn compared to manual operations during the same amount of time.
On top of this, our beam knotting- or leasing machines facilitate the effectiveness of weaving and warp beam design capabilities.
“Warp preparation technology helps in improving throughput times, quality and responsiveness in cloth and fabric manufacturing.” How successful is Stäubli in this process?
As far as India is concerned, Stäubli has already installed Drawing-in machines with the major weaving companies. The benefits of automatic drawing-in installations are not just in the area of warp preparation as you correctly point out, but also in the weaving process. The better the quality of a warp, the better the weaving efficiency will be.
Stäubli offers a system whereby the drawing-in process starts from a warp beam, automatically drawing in ends into drop wires, healds and reeds with a fully automated quality control system to safeguard the proper sequence of warp patterns, colours or different yarns. Stäubli is the only company offering this fully integrated drawing-in system.
You said Stäubli has successfully integrated drawing-in system. What point of quality management do you have to meet the growing market need?
It is my firm belief that quality starts with the ability of Stäubli to quickly satisfy our customers` needs, their production requirements at highest efficiency rates and lowest possible cost. In this sense, the reproducibility of drawing-in and weaving applications is the key to our customers. Down times have to be kept to an absolute minimum and be supported through our global service network to help our customers with preventive maintenance schemes.
Furthermore, proximity to our global customers is valued highly within our company. More than 80 % of our corporate output is managed through our own company organizations in key markets. Our customers speak with our own Stäubli personnel who is trained and well versed to help out wherever there is a need for support.
That’s remarkable! Stäubli has presence in 25 countries. How do you see the global market for textile machinery going forward? Which countries hold market potential?
Stäubli is globally present through our own network or agencies as pointed out above. Our presence is by far not limited to 25 countries. Wherever there is an active textile industry, Stäubli is locally represented and our customers will be actively supported. Proximity is not a slogan but part of our global strategy.
As to the machinery market, there will almost certainly be further consolidation taking place as we go along. In fabric manufacturing, countries like, for instance, India or others within the region are well poised to profit from global demands and requirements. India has the potential to further grow its textile industry, particularly if investment activities in latest textile machinery or automation processes will be sustained on a high level.
Being in the industry for more than three decades, what development prospects do you see for textile producers over the next few years?
In general, I would point out that global consumers of textiles are very cost-conscious. They take quality for granted and expect rapid adoptions to their fashion and altering clothing requirements. Markets become more global which means that production units have to streamline their operations, more and more using automated machinery to maintain repeatability and reproducibility at highest quality and lowest cost. Quick response to changing requirements has to be at the forefront of leaders in the textile industry.
As a Swiss company, how does Stäubli view its competition, at the domestic and overseas markets?
It is our clear goal to retain a very high level of market- and technology leadership, be an innovative solution provider on a high level of quality thus investing a major percentage of our revenues in our R&D capabilities around the globe. We fully respect our global competition. They keep us on our toes.
Cost effectiveness, and user friendliness are the key elements of winning customers for textile machinery. What is your view on it?
I certainly agree with this statement. What I would like to add though is the fact that besides the points mentioned by you, longevity of products and services is also important. This is why Stäubli pays much attention to include these parameters when conceiving new product ideas.
Business with a social mission is a growing idea these days. How far is it been conceived, and worked upon by machinery makers? Is Stäubli promoting such ideas?
Stäubli takes an active role in social responsibility with its workforce. An example for our care is that we strive to re-integrate handicapped co-workers who have suffered from e.g. an accident or severe illness.
It is also my view that as a company with a long history, Stäubli has a responsibility to care for the environment through reduction of any kind of emissions and to save energy wherever possible.
You may be aware that Stäubli is also active in areas outside the textile machinery business. One of our major activity supporting ecological developments is in the area of energy conservation being a key supplier of connectors to the photo voltaic industry.
We thank you for sharing your expertise with our readers Mr Strebel. It was a pleasure talking to you.
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