Europe is still the beating heart of global world in terms of textile machinery and technologies. Although countris such as China and India produce various machines that have cost advantage, European brands are on the first range for preference in weaving, knitting, technical textiles and nonwoven segmants, which require advanced technology. Many impotant European firms strengthen their firm power with the power of national industry by getting organized under the roof of national associations . Looking closely, French Association of Textile Machinery Manifacturers (UCMTF) provides a more active sight amongst the associations under the roof of European Textile Machinery Manifacturers Association (CEMATEX).
The association, arranging seminars and symposiums in variour countries every year, does not leave its firms which attend the fair alone. Beside the firms that individually attend with their own booths, it also supports other firms with national pavilion and booths, spares a place in its own area. Focusing on constantly developing the export-based production structure of French textile machinery manifacturers, the association keeps its market activities alive.
Also being a member of FIM-French Federation of Mechanical Engineering Industries, UCMTF both supports the member firms in export market and inform them on production standards, contributes to collaboration between the members. Cooperating work with universities for industrial development, UCMTF arranges a forum for textile department students every other year and gives UCMTF Super Prize award.
Member firms of UCMTF are arrayed with regards to their production segments as such; In yarn spinning segment; İplik eğirme segmentinde; Dewilde S.A, Fil Control SA, Laroche S.A., Mallein, NSC Fibre to Yarn, Petit & CIE, Superba S.A.S., Verdol (acquires Swisstex France). In weaving; Ebelmann, Mallein, Spoolex, Staubli Faverges, Staubli Lyon. Finishing; Alliance Machines Textiles, Callebaut de Blicquy, Dollfus & Muller, Rousselet Centrigation S.A., Spoolex, Superba S.A.S. In software; Schaeffer Productique, Verdol. In nonwoven; Andritz Perfojet, Asselin-Thibeau, Dollfus & Muller, Laroche S.A., Spoolex. In mascellaneous machines; AESA Air Engineering, Callebaut de Blicquy, Fil Kontrol SA, Laroche S.A. ve Superba S.A.S.
The 6th Biggest Machine Exporter
30 member firms of UCMTF have 1 billion Euro turnover in textile machinery. Among export markets of French textile machines whom, in addition to very large firms, small and middle-sized enterprises constitute, there are Europe, North America and Middle East. Focusing on South Africa and Asia markets too, these firms export 91 percent of their production. The French machinery manifacturers, having a 6.5 percent share within the global market, are positioned as the 6th biggest in textile machinery export. The firms spare 8 percent of their annual income for R&D studies and main markets of these firms are China together with Hong Kong, followed by Belgium, Japan, Turkey, USA, Germany and Italy. Nearly 40 percent of the export is made to Asian region and 35 percent is made to Europe. In total sales of the French machinery manifacturers, Turkey has a share between 8-10 percent.
Innovation is in Our Tradition!
Stating that there are 35 exclusive machine manifacturers under the roof of the association, Bruno Ameline, UCMTF President, informed in the interview he made with our magazine that as creators of jacquard weaving machine, French machinery manifacturers have a distinctive place in global market. Ameline, referring that French machine manifacturers play a significant role in industrial development, underlined that this innovative case continues within their own tradition. Ameline implied; “As French machine manifacturers, we have a rooted past in this industry. Being the 6th biggest machine exporter in the world, we export more than 1 billion Dollars annually. While the French inventors come forward more with weaving technologies, they focus on customers’ operating with less cost and more efficiency today”.
Saying that they have developed nesw technologies for long fiber yarn industry and these reduce business and maintenance costs, Ameline informed that they present high technology based solutions to yarn producers. Ameline continued; “We offer a variety of solutions for twisting technical fibers such as traditional fiber, glass fiber and thread yarn, particularly to carpet industry. Developments in fields of jacuard machines and draughts were made in order to have a more quality, secure and rapid production process. Dyeing machines provide energy and water saving. Nonwoven processes form a new segment in textile industry. Nonwoven processes are developing rapidly in fields of hygene products, especially napkins and wipes for single use, geotextiles, filtration applications. For this segment, French machinery manifacturers have important innovations. The French machinery manifacturers are among the leaders of their fields in terms of recycling textile materials and long-lasting eco-technologies. In short, French machine manifacturers present the best, most secure, most efficient and least energy demanding processes for the traditional and technical applications to their customers”.
Bruno Ameline, stating that the strategy combining traditional techniques and innovation makes them successful in the global market, reported that they present exclusive, tailor made solutons to their customers beyond standard machine. Informing that they attended many fairs in the global market, Bruno reminded that after Megatex and Igatex in Lahore, they attended ITM in Istanbul, and following it, took place in ITMA ASIA. Bruno also said India ITME in India and Techtextil in Russia, America and China to be within their fair schedules. Pointing out the seminars that UCMTF members arrange together in addition to their fair attendance, Bruno explained that beside the ones made in Turkey, Syria and Brazil, the seminar handled in Indonesia also attracted great attention. “The event in Indonesia was supported by UBİ France (The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry), Trade Ministry of Indonesia, Bandung Textile Centerand HSBC Bank” said Ameline, adding that representatives from Jakarta, Solo and Surabaya, apart from Bandung, came to the event.
