Every passing year actualizing more innovative projects with the emphasize they place on R & D activities, the Swiss Machinery Manufacturers also simultaneously execute their practices devoted to sustainability. Ms. Cornelia Buchwalder, Secretary General of Swissmem Textile Machinery Group, providing valuable information to our Publishing Group in the exclusive interview conducted, shared her evaluations quoting her wordings stated as; “R&D Is Part of the DNA of Swiss Companies”.
As the Swissmem Textile Machinery Group, which exhibitions did you take part in and what kind of practices or activities did you carry out in 2016, so as to enhance the international recognition of the Swiss textile machinery? How many active members are you currently operating with?
In the last twelve months we supported our members companies in various markets. In autumn 2016 we were present at ITMA Asia in Shanghai with 30 Swiss exhibitors. Apart from the main export markets such as India, Turkey and China we are supporting our members in countries that have had a downturn due to various reasons. Just very recently we organised a two day symposium in Egypt, in order to (re-)connect the Egyptian textile industry with our member companies. 400 Egyptian textile manufacturers and 14 member companies have participated in that two day event with presentations and B2B-meetings. And in early September this year 13 Swiss Textile Machinery Manufacturers will present themselves in the Swiss pavilion at Irantex in Tehran. Our association currently has 40 member companies.
Swiss textile machinery is globally known for its state-of-the-art technologies and its quality. What kind of approach-method does the member companies of the Swissmem Textile Machinery Group work through in terms of quality and technological development?
R&D is part of the DNA of Swiss companies. This is why Switzerland often ranks as an “Innovation Champion” in global analyses. R&D and sustainability aspects go hand in hand and cover the following four aspects: environmental, economic, social and cultural. Often the environmental aspect is primarily taken into consideration. But the other aspects are as important. Machines that improve safety, minimize waste, consume less energy and deliver maximum return on investment are designed and produced in a sustainable way. Building such a machine requires a holistic approach analysing operational efficiency, safety, functionality, productivity, material use, ease of operation and maintenance. Our Swiss industry – often ranking as global innovation champion – develops its machines in taking all these aspects into consideration.
How successful are Swiss textile machinery manufacturers at implementing the advancements taking place within Industrie 4.0 to their technologies? What kind of practices are they engaging with respect to this field?
Some years ago we launched a program to support our members in its innovation process. Especially for SME’s we recognise that the task of innovating their portfolio, services and processes is a difficult one. This is mainly due to the lack of resources. Therefore we started an initiative which offers to each of our members to analyse their innovation process and portfolio with an external consultant. This allows them to strengthen their respective capabilities and maybe to even find an additional innovation field outside the traditional textile market. Important is the ability to transform these concepts into marketable products and services. In addition we will soon launch “Industry 4.0” workshops. We aim to provide to our members an overview of what is included in Industry 4.0 and how to implement it into their products and processes.
How would you evaluate the first half of 2017 with regards to the global sales generated by the Swiss textile machinery manufacturers? What sales figures do you aim to achieve by the end of 2017?
The first half of 2017 showed an increase in orders placed from a global market point of view. The only market still having its difficulties or respectively slow-down is China, but this being a result of their heavy investments in the past years, inevitably leading to over-capacities.
What is the position of the Turkish market with respect to the Swiss textile machinery manufacturers? What is the degree of interest of the Turkish companies for Swiss machines?
The expectations for the Turkish market have been fulfilled or even surmounted. In the first quarter of 2017 Turkey was the number one export market for our Swiss Textile Machinery Manufacturers. Many of our Swiss manufacturers are confident to surpass the 2016 market figures in 2017.
