China is the most important sales market for Swiss textile machinery manufacturers Interview with Ms.Cornelia Buchwalder,Secretary General of SWISSMEM (Swiss Textile Machinery)

The Chinese market remains by far the most important sales market for Swiss textile machinery manufacturers.In addi—tion to imports into China,almost all our member companies also have branches in China.Whether they are production plants or service centers.China is far too large and diverse a market to be able to specify which products are preferred.Therefore,the Chi—nese market is basically an interesting mar—ket for all products and solutions of Swiss textile machinery manufacturers.

As always,the companies will only present their innovations at the exhibition itself.However,it can be assumed that the areas of automation,digitalization and sustainability will be the focus.They are not just buzzwords but continue to influ—ence all developments and innovations,not only in the textile machinery industry.

Regarding sustainability,it is and stays a big and very important topic.It has been for years,but now it is even more important due to the new EU strategy for sustainable textiles.Digitalization of—fers a wide range of opportunities,be it in product or process optimization or in the development of completely new business models.Our member companies use these opportunities to generate maximum cus—tomer benefit.

Many of the companies in our asso—ciation of textile machinery manufacturers were founded in the second half of the19th century,have gone through many ups and downs and have gained outstand—ing reputation over time.Having such a long history,the Swiss companies have constantly managed to anticipate changes,developed their business strategy,and ex—panded their business in emerging centers and technologies.And so,they do today.

After the opening in China,our mem—ber companies now see an opportunity to get in direct contact with Chinese cus—tomers again.Accordingly,there is now renewed interest in ITMA ASIA+CITME in Shanghai from November 2023.I there—fore expect that the exhibition will once again become the meeting place for the Chinese textile market.