We are glad to have another opportunity of this talk in Face2Face, Mr Combes! To begin, shall we request a review from you on present state of textile machinery world over?
The global textile machinery market was affected by the world economic crisis, and suffered a significant downturn between 2007 and 2010. This impacted the overall growth rate, and led to considerable market erosion and a decline of both imports and exports in the years 2008-09.
However in the longer term, driven by the demand for nonwoven disposable textile products, especially from the growing economies of India and China, the global market for textile machinery is forecasted to reach US$20.75 billion by 2015. Added to increasing demand for environmentally-friendly fibres, this is very positive news for textile machines which employ eco-friendly processes.
ITMA celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, what are the new initiatives you are introducing for this year?
With the textile and garment making industry undergoing tremendous change in the light of globalisation and economic challenges, CEMATEX is taking a lead to help the industry stay focused and competitive. The 2011 edition will feature an expanded product index, special events to complement the exhibition, and a number of new commemorative anniversary initiatives.
The expanded product index of ITMA 2011 will include a dedicated chapter on garment making technologies and machinery, and a new fibre and yarn chapter, which will cover natural, man-made and technical fibres, and natural, synthetic and technical yarns.
Industry professionals that have pledged their support for the fibre and yarn chapter include the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council of India (TEXPROCIL), International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO), Korea Chemical Fibers Association (KCFA) and Synthetic Yarn and Fibre Association (SYFA). MP International has also signed a working agreement with IWTO to explore a possible natural fibre pavilion at ITMA.
With the enhanced product offerings, ITMA 2011 exhibits will now be classified into 18 chapters of the latest technologies, products and services. This will be a boon to textile and garment makers and manufacturers and related professionals, who can expect to source the entire value chain, spread over 100,000 square metres net of exhibit space.
The Research & Education (R&E) Pavilion will focus on sustainable development of the textile and garment industry, with strong support from the Association of Universities for Textiles (AUTEX), European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX) and European Network of Textile Research Organizations (TEXTRANET).
A convergence of top minds in textile innovation, it will be an excellent platform to explore strategic partnerships and exchange ideas. A special CEMATEX anniversary grant will also be awarded to research and education institutes participating in the R&E Pavilion.
Recognising the importance of the dyestuff and chemical industry, the Textile Dyestuff and Chemical Industry Leaders’ Forum will take place on 25 and 26 September 2011. The China Dyestuff Industry Association (CDIA), Dyestuffs Manufacturers Association of India (DMAI), Indian Speciality Chemical Manufacturers Association (ISCMA), Latin American Federation of Textile Chemists (FLAQT) and Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC) have all formed the technical committee, which will chart the direction of the forum.
ITMA attracts visitors and buyers from all over the world. What are the promotional activities and plans you have put in place to promote ITMA to target visitor countries?
ITMA 2011 is the ultimate business platform for the whole textile and garment value chain and the show is expected to attract visitorship of over 100,000.
The global promotional campaign includes a vibrant mix of print advertising, direct mailing, public relations, and employs a strong online presence through electronic channels of the traditional media.
Central to the promotional campaigns are establishing partnerships with leading industry associations and buyer groups from the key industry segments, and rapport with government officials from key textile and garment manufacturing countries.
The ITMA 2011 team has embarked on extensive roadshows and presentations to key countries across Europe, the Americas, North Africa, Middle East, India and Asia. They have met with leading members and influencers of the textile and garment industry in those countries, and plans are underway to organise visiting/buying delegations to ITMA 2011.
Major buyers from the world’s top textile and garment making markets and exporting hubs have also been identified and will be invited to attend ITMA 2011 as part of the first-ever hosted buyers programme.
Industry believes in shape up or ship out. Has the mechanism of ITMA conduction changed over the years?
ITMA has been the platform for innovation since its inception. Leading names in the textile and garment machinery manufacturing mark their calendars to converge at this must-attend platform every four years, and is the only major event where cutting-edge solutions for the entire textile and garment making chain goes on show.
With innovation as the starting point, we constantly add new elements to further enhance the value offerings for both our exhibitors and visitors alike with each edition.
We work closely with trade associations, gathering business intelligence and best practices, and through constant dialogue with industry players, we have introduced many new initiatives that are relevant and timely to our target group.
And this year being the 60th anniversary of ITMA, we have launched many exciting initiatives and events, and hope all participants will join us in Barcelona this September to celebrate our long history of innovation.
ITMA 2011 participants will have the opportunity to attend a technical textiles forum. Can you help us understand rationale behind the special focus on this segment exclusively?
Yes, the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) Advanced Textiles 2011 conference, will be held in conjunction with ITMA 2011.
The global market for technical textiles is worth around US$ 127 billion, and this is a relevant and important sector that cannot be ignored, and indeed many of our exhibitors and visitors are already heavily involved in this area.
We invited IFAI to organise the Advanced Textiles conference alongside ITMA 2011, as we value this win-win partnership where both events focus on innovation, which is one of the most important drivers of business success today.
We have another special event held in conjunction in ITMA 2011. A joint initiative between CEMATEX and the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), in partnership with the World Textile Information Network and MP International, the World Textile Summit will take place on 21 September 2011. This unique one-day event brings together textile-industry leaders and some of the world’s most influential thinkers and policymakers in economics, trade, technology and sustainability.
Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary General, will deliver the keynote address, and other speakers include Du Yuzhou, President of China National Textile & Apparel Council, Loek de Vries, President and CEO of TenCate, Thomas Babacan, CEO of Oerlikon Textile and Dilip Jiwrajka, Co-founder and Managing Director of Alok Industries.
What advice would you offer to exhibitors – participators to fully benefit from ITMA 2011?
We would like to invite all industry professionals to join us at the ultimate business platform for the entire textile and garment making value chain.
Apart from the exhibition, we encourage you to partake in the informative special events like the World Textile Summit, IFAI Advanced Textiles, Textile Dyestuff and Chemical Leaders Industry Forum, Research & Education Pavilion and speakers platform and more, to make the most of your time at ITMA 2011.
When and where is the next edition of ITMA 2015 being held?
We are delighted to announce that ITMA 2015 will be held in Milan. Italy will host the 17th edition of ITMA and it will be held at the Fiera Milano Rho exhibition centre, from 12 to 19 November 2015.
We are extremely impressed with both the management team of Fiera Milano as well as the quality of the services and the infrastructure on-site, and we are convinced that we shall be offering our exhibitors and visitors a superb event therein 2015.
MP International (MPI) will be the organiser of our ITMA 2015 in Milan. MPI organised our ITMA ASIA shows in Singapore in 2001 and 2005, they are co-organiser of our ITMA ASIA + CITME shows in Shanghai, and they are currently organising our ITMA 2011 show in Barcelona. Over the last 10 years of working with us they have developed a highly experienced ITMA team and we are extremely confident of their ability.
DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.
