COURBEVOIE, France — August 28, 2015
UCMTF groups 30 specialty textile machinery manufacturers, often world leaders
on their specific markets. Their total annual consolidated turnover of
1 billion Euros ($1.1 billion) They are particularly strong in long fiber
spinning,yarn twisting, heat setting, jacquard and dobbies, carpet systems, dyeing
and finishing, felts and belts for finishing processes, nonwovens, air and
recycling processes.
on their specific markets. Their total annual consolidated turnover of
1 billion Euros ($1.1 billion) They are particularly strong in long fiber
spinning,yarn twisting, heat setting, jacquard and dobbies, carpet systems, dyeing
and finishing, felts and belts for finishing processes, nonwovens, air and
recycling processes.
Secretary General,UCMTF.
M. Ameline, can you tell us about your experience with the textile industry?
Ameline: I graduated with a master degree from a renowned engineering school in
France, Ecole Centrale and started my professional career in aeronautics.
I had no prior connections with the textile industry when I joined the NSC group,
a family controlled company listed on the Paris stock exchange in 1999 to become
its Chairman and CEO
France, Ecole Centrale and started my professional career in aeronautics.
I had no prior connections with the textile industry when I joined the NSC group,
a family controlled company listed on the Paris stock exchange in 1999 to become
its Chairman and CEO
In 2004, I was elected President of UCMTF.
During these years, I have discovered the fascinating world of textiles. Textile
is a technology almost as old as mankind, but still today, it reinvents regularly
itself and stands at the spearhead of many high-tech developments. When I think of
apparel, I am fascinated by the creativity of designers, by the high quality
standards requested by the end-markets, by the fast and flexible logistics
achieved by producers and distributors. When I think of home textiles or carpet
manufacturing, I am fascinated by the inventiveness of some carpet clusters.
is a technology almost as old as mankind, but still today, it reinvents regularly
itself and stands at the spearhead of many high-tech developments. When I think of
apparel, I am fascinated by the creativity of designers, by the high quality
standards requested by the end-markets, by the fast and flexible logistics
achieved by producers and distributors. When I think of home textiles or carpet
manufacturing, I am fascinated by the inventiveness of some carpet clusters.
Technical textiles which pave the way to so many new applications and growing at
a fast rate are also an impressive sector. Needless to say, I am fascinated by
the textile machinery sector, by the ever-increasing productivity of the machines,
their reliability, the level of safety now achieved for their users, the automation
devices (which can be equally compared to those in aeronautics, I can tell!), and
more recently the energy consumption concerns which trigger the latest innovations.
I am also fascinated by key industry events like the ITMAs, which attract the whole
textile planet for 8 days on the same spot!
a fast rate are also an impressive sector. Needless to say, I am fascinated by
the textile machinery sector, by the ever-increasing productivity of the machines,
their reliability, the level of safety now achieved for their users, the automation
devices (which can be equally compared to those in aeronautics, I can tell!), and
more recently the energy consumption concerns which trigger the latest innovations.
I am also fascinated by key industry events like the ITMAs, which attract the whole
textile planet for 8 days on the same spot!
I really look forward to a great future for this industry.
Yes, but in Europe the textile industry has shrunk. Has this industry any future
in this continent?
in this continent?
It all started with apparel manufacturing, which is labor intensive and which grew
a large textile industry in Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Textile production then moved to lower labor cost areas and closer to the mass
user markets — meaning Asia — although it had become more capital intensive with
automation. But many innovations and creativity still originate from Europe. Look
at the most prestigious brands in apparel, the designers are based in such places
as Paris, London or Milano. Look at technical textiles. In this sector European and
American firms are still the most innovative ones and the production is still mostly
on their shores. Look at the textile machinery, the most innovative companies — and
many of the largest — are from Europe and ITMA Europe the largest textile equipment
event worldwide.
a large textile industry in Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Textile production then moved to lower labor cost areas and closer to the mass
user markets — meaning Asia — although it had become more capital intensive with
automation. But many innovations and creativity still originate from Europe. Look
at the most prestigious brands in apparel, the designers are based in such places
as Paris, London or Milano. Look at technical textiles. In this sector European and
American firms are still the most innovative ones and the production is still mostly
on their shores. Look at the textile machinery, the most innovative companies — and
many of the largest — are from Europe and ITMA Europe the largest textile equipment
event worldwide.
Some companies do relocate in Europe or America to improve their customer’s service
and take advantage there of some cost differentials like the low cost of energy and
the quality of manpower. I do not think that relocation will be a major trend but
I believe that the downsizing of the textile industry in Europe has come to an end
and that the European textile machinery will continue to play the leading role.
and take advantage there of some cost differentials like the low cost of energy and
the quality of manpower. I do not think that relocation will be a major trend but
I believe that the downsizing of the textile industry in Europe has come to an end
and that the European textile machinery will continue to play the leading role.
How are the French textile machinery manufacturers doing in this context?
In 2015, in most application sectors we are back to the best levels achieved before
the 2008-2010 crisis, many of our companies have achieved record sales and order
intakes but there is a lack of visibility in some major markets.
the 2008-2010 crisis, many of our companies have achieved record sales and order
intakes but there is a lack of visibility in some major markets.
The economic uncertainty and financial turmoil which we are currently observing in
China may lead to a real slowdown. It is hard to tell whether the slowdown will
accelerate,if it will be a soft landing or whether growth and investments will
rebound.
China may lead to a real slowdown. It is hard to tell whether the slowdown will
accelerate,if it will be a soft landing or whether growth and investments will
rebound.
I am more positive about India, the modernization of the textile industry is
crucial for its future but investments decisions are slower than we did imagine.
crucial for its future but investments decisions are slower than we did imagine.
Other Asian markets stay active and the investment mood is still positive in
many markets like Indonesia, Thailand, or South Korea. However, the competitive
devaluation of the Yuan, if amplified, may create a big challenge to these
economies.
many markets like Indonesia, Thailand, or South Korea. However, the competitive
devaluation of the Yuan, if amplified, may create a big challenge to these
economies.
The Turkish market has been very active so far thanks to the long term managerial
strategies of our Turkish customers but the 2015 economic slowdown, the current
political uncertainty with the upcoming elections in November and the sharp decrease
of the Turkish currency create some clear signs of attention.
strategies of our Turkish customers but the 2015 economic slowdown, the current
political uncertainty with the upcoming elections in November and the sharp decrease
of the Turkish currency create some clear signs of attention.
Iran is the real short term opportunity for the European textile equipment.
Modernization is urgent, the entrepreneurs are in the starting blocks, theprojects are well advanced, since the Geneva agreement on the upcoming raising
of international sanctions. But financial circuits will take time to regularize.
Soon, we will probably have more visibility on this promising market.
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