Interview with Dr. Geoffrey Scott

Dr. Geoffrey Scott
Dr. Geoffrey Scott
CEO
Uster Technologies AG
Uster Technologies AG
We will have to cope with new textile developments, with just in time requirements and
Uster Technologies, the world’s market leader in textile quality controlling, provides systems and services that enable the textile industry to manufacture optimum quality and competitive products “from fiber to fabric”. We have a long history as the Leader in textile electronics. For more than 60 years, our testing and monitoring solutions have enabled the production of high quality yarns and fabrics.

Can you explain in brief about Uster Technologies and its 60 glorious years of global existence?

Our proud heritage dates back to 1944 when the large local textile industry contacted the Zellweger Uster Company for help to improve the quality of yarns. The response of USTER was the development of the first yarn evenness tester. Since then, the company has introduced a steady stream of new, market-leading testing and monitoring systems for the worldwide textile industry, covering a variety of testing requirements from fiber to yarn. The beginning of 2003 was an important milestone for USTER: USTER Managers together with financial investors acquired Zellweger Uster and Zellweger Uster, to became Uster Technologies AG. A new company continuing the tradition of standards, leadership and innovation for the textile industry was born. We set the standards for quality control in the global textile industry. USTER provides the benchmarks that are the basis for the trading of textile products at assured levels of quality across global markets. We have emerged as a highly flexible and efficient company, maintaining our position as a respected and trusted partner to the industry, as the leader in quality monitoring systems.

Could you spell out some of the features that have propelled USTER to achieve global leadership?

60 years of experience and success - this not only gives us our strong position as worldwide leader in textile electronics, but also the creation of the USTER trademark, which is unique in the textile industry. USTER stands for innovative total solutions within the textile chain and has established itself worldwide as the standard in quality control and monitoring. Long-term investments in research and development have contributed considerably to this success, ensuring the availability to our customers of measuring and monitoring systems that are robust, accurate and reliable, essential requirements for monitoring and optimizing quality in textile products. Our staff, many of whom are acknowledged experts, possess a great potential of ideas, knowledge and ability.

What has been the market scenario of your segment - textile processing; pre and post expiry of textile quotas?

Within the textile industry there was and still is, a clear move towards Asia. 80% of our actual market is concentrated to China, India, Pakistan and Turkey. One very stable and strong business relation is our relation to the Cotton Classing Offices in the United States, Uzbekistan and also in China. We just recently announced the purchase of 40 USTER HVI CLASSING systems for the 2005 cotton season to the USDA and confirmed that the Fiber Inspection Bureau of China is planning to extend its operation by purchasing a substantial number of USTER HVI CLASSING units for this year's cotton season.

What are your strategies to consolidate and further enhance USTER worldwide?

Uster Technologies AG is building-up its worldwide presence and established its own manufacturing, and development centre in China. Furthermore, we recently announced the opening of the new service and sales centre in Istanbul Turkey. USTER will also improve the awareness of the USTERIZED concept - A system for quality management in the textile supply chain from the Quality Management Experts.

What exactly is the concept behind making of the successful USTERIZED brand?

For producers of quality textile products, USTER makes a difference. Textiles tested, cleared or inspected with USTER products are more valuable, and can achieve a higher market price. USTERIZED stands for defined and certified quality within the textile chain. Spinning mills can produce more consistent yarn quality and reduce cost of quality, dramatically. Weavers, knitters and companies within finishing and making-up, benefit from a reduction of production problems in subsequent processes. The Retailer gets access to suppliers producing yarn of consistent quality at reasonable costs (price-performance ratio). And last but not least, the end-user. The end-user buys apparels in the right quality for the right price. He or she buys USTERIZED branded products.

Could you list out the innovative practices and processes your company follows in order to stay ahead of competition?

Today, many producers don't even know who their customers are. To assure the right level and consistency of quality in the supply chain is a major challenge. A Quality Management System guarantees the correct level of quality testing which is of enormous importance. Each and every production process requires a 100 percent check of the final product. USTER has been a leader in providing tools and services, not only to create quality cost consciousness but also to reduce these costs. USTERIZED is THE system for quality management in the textile supply chain. At ITMA ASIA in Singapore, Uster Technologies AG will present the latest product innovations within the system for quality management in the textile supply chain.

Do you see any drastic changes in the way your industry is shaping up for the coming decade?

The move towards Asia will also influence the industry for the coming decade and China will produce 50 percent of textile goods to the market. We will have to cope with new textile developments, with just in time requirements and quick response times. There are evolving demands in the textile world and, the competition is global.

What is the industry standard USTER STATISTICS, and how does it help your customers improve efficiency and production processes?

USTER STATISTICS are quality benchmarks, which permit a classification of fibers, slivers, rovings and yarns with regard to world production. USTER STATISTICS are the recognized standard for quality benchmarking worldwide and represents the basis for the specification of yarn trade contracts, for the definition of fiber and yarn quality characteristics in connection with textile machine sales, as well as in all other commercial textile transactions. Companies may improve their production and setting new objectives according to the USTER STATISTICS.

What new markets and products are you looking forward to in the coming times?

Our understanding of the textile process allows us to provide solutions for the challenges facing our customers. When new production technologies are introduced to the market, we quickly fulfill the need for new measuring techniques and applications expertise. We respond to the demands of our customers for measurements that are closer to the process, away from the laboratory - today we can provide on-line measuring systems that match the precision and accuracy of our laboratory instruments and correlate exactly with the industry standards, the USTER STATISTICS. We will continue to develop innovative world-class products to help our customers respond to the increasing demands for improved quality.

It is rare of companies to run training centres to disseminate knowledge. Could you elaborate how they function and what are their spinoffs?

Our people are the foundation for our reputation in the industry. Many of our people are acknowledged experts. Their know-how and expertise is keenly sought after by our customers who look up to USTER for assisting them as they strive for ever increasing improvements in the quality of their textile products, and in the efficiency of their processes. We share our knowledge with our customers through specific customer trainings, and through an extensive program of seminars and symposia. This sharing of knowledge ensures our customers get the maximum benefit and return from the investment they make, and the trust they put in USTER. We in turn, gain a deeper understanding of the requirements of our customers, about new applications, changes in industry trends and new breakthroughs in technology. We make sure our own people and our customers are constantly informed and educated with local people who are native speakers and are familiar with the customs and traditions of their local markets.
Published on: 08/08/2005

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.