Therese Premler-Andersson
Secretary General Textile Machinery Association of Sweden
Access to qualified people is a challenge machinery companies in Europe face
Textile Machinery Association of Sweden (TMAS) keeps member companies updated about market opportunities to help them improve export performance. Therese Premler-Andersson, Secretary General, TMAS, discusses future trends and challenges for Swedish textile machinery manufacturers.
What is the concentration of Swedish textile machinery manufacturers in the global textile machine market?
TMAS was founded in 1997 to support and promote Swedish textile machinery. Sweden has a long, successful history of textile manufacturing and as a natural consequence, members of TMAS hold leading positions in various segments of the market for textile production equipment and technology. The offer of our members ranges from weft and yarn equipment and supervision to handling system for the finished products. The members and their area of expertise and products are:
IRO Yarn feeding equipment
Eltex of Sweden Weft and yarn supervision
Texo Weaving looms for paper machine clothing and industrial fabrics
ACG Nyström Solutions within cutting, sewing, embroidery, garment, printing
Svegea of Sweden Collarett cutters, slitting machines and bias cutting range
ACG Kinna Automatics Textile machinery for fully automated production of bed linen
ES Automatex Automated machines for home textile production
Baldwin Solutions for finishing, remoistening, water/chemical
Eton Systems Material handling systems
Which markets do Swedish textile machine manufacturers export to?
The Swedish textile machine manufactures export approximately 95 per cent of the machinery they produce. Important markets are India, Turkey, eastern and central Europe, the United States of America and South America.
Where do you see demand for textile machinery growing?
Demand is growing in Vietnam, Bangladesh and in north Africa, as a consequence of increase in costs in places like China. We also see the central and eastern European region increasing work as some production returns to Europe. Turkey is a good example but there are others. The market in Iran will take a step forward now as the ban from the United States of America has been lifted.
What kind of machines and Swedish technologies are in demand in the global market?
Swedish companies have in-depth knowledge of the textile business and operations. They offer valuable skills to streamline and facilitate processes, manufacturing and production flows all aimed at increasing profitability and improving quality. Swedish manufacturers bring innovations to the market in areas like energy efficient machinery, automation and remote control but also in the interface towards the user. For generations, Swedish companies have fuelled technological development and innovative research that has made an impact on manufacturers worldwide. That is something we will continue to see.
What are your expectations from the upcoming ITMA 2016 Asia?
ITMA ASIA and CITME are leading marketing platforms for textile machinery manufacturers seeking to tap the Chinese market. China is an important market for Swedish textile manufacturers, so almost all of them are at the show. Chinese demand for advanced machinery to enhance production efficiency fits well with the offering of Swedish manufacturers. We are optimistic and enthusiastic about the business opportunities that the show presents.
What are future trends emerging in the global textile machinery industry?
Automation and digitalisation are areas where we will continue to see creative solutions that bring value to the market in production efficiency, cost savings, improved quality and increased customer service. Handling of information and the ability to transform it to decisions and actions that optimises production, are vital. I am sure we will see new players, new ways of collaboration between companies and mergers due to these new technologies. Production movement back to Europe and to new low cost regions, is another trend to follow carefully.
What challenges are textile machinery makers facing?
A challenge for the textile machinery industry in general is that the market geography will change ever faster. This places great demand on market presence and flexibility. It will also be a greater demand for shorter lead times, which favours production in neighbouring areas. To bring down cost, degree of automation will increase. To quickly understand and adapt to the ever-changing environment is a challenge. Access to qualified people is another challenge that producers of all kinds of machinery in Europe face. Swedish textile machinery manufacturers are well aware of these challenges. As flexible niche players, they are well prepared.
Published on: 04/07/2016
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.
