#Associations

2025-05-12

New leadership for Swiss Textile Machinery Association

The Swiss Textile Machinery Association is the representative body for Switzerland’s providers of textile equipment, systems and services. Its general assembly on May 8 elected experienced industry leaders as president and board members.

The board of the Swiss Textile Machinery Association (left to right): Ralph von Arx, Andreas Conzelmann, Davide Maccabruni, Cornelia Buchwalder (Secretary General), André Imhof, Beat Meienberger, Martin Zürcher © 2025 Swissmem

Swissmem textile machinery industry sector elects president and board

The association’s new president is Davide Maccabruni, CEO of Uster Technologies AG. His role is to lead the board in defining strategies and key focus areas. Assessing the challenges facing the industry, Maccabruni states: “The Swiss textile machinery industry still holds unique strengths that can secure its success well into the future. To achieve this, however, we must focus on aligning our capabilities, working together, and supporting one another.”

A new member of the association board has also been elected. He is Martin Zürcher (Heberlein Technology AG), who joins Beat Meienberger (Benninger AG), André Imhof (Autefa Solutions Switzerland AG), Andreas Conzelmann (Jakob Müller AG) and Ralph von Arx (Retech AG), the latter taking on the role of vice-president.

Davide Maccabruni succeeds Ernesto Maurer, the association’s president for the past ten years. Maurer has been an active board member since 2011, becoming president in 2015. During his service, he has made a significant contribution to strengthening the innovative power and international visibility of the Swiss textile machinery industry.

The Swiss Textile Machinery sector was founded in 1940 and is the longest-established industry sector within Swissmem. It currently has 42 affiliated companies, including manufacturers of machines and components, and service providers, for the textile industry. The association supports its members in fostering innovation initiatives and education. A major focus is on joint market access campaigns, through a successful programme of international symposia. Recent events have been held in Mexico and the US, and another is planned for Morocco later this year.

Former president Ernesto Maurer and newly elected president Davide Maccabruni © 2025 Swissmem

Recycled fibres: the machinery and services

Many end-users now expect recycled materials to be in textile products they purchase – and this is definitely driving innovation throughout the industry. However, there are still many technical and economic issues facing yarn and fabric producers using recycled resources. Members of the Swiss Textile Machinery Association offer some effective solutions to these challenges.

India ITME Society pushes trade & technology alliances in Singapore

India ITME Society hosted India Networking Program - Fabricating the Future of Textile Industry- From Heritage to High-Tech” on 29th October 2025 at Singapore an exclusive gathering of Ministry of Textile Officials, Embassy Officials, Entrepreneurs, Technocrats, Industry Organizations and Media Personnel's designed to foster collaboration, exchange ideas and explore opportunities in the Indian Textile & Textile Engineering Sector.

Italian textile machinery: Orders index declines in 2025 third quarter

In the third quarter of 2025, the orders index for textile machinery – compiled by ACIMIT’s Economics Department (the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers) – recorded a 16% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. In absolute terms, the index stood at 41.8 points (base year 2021 = 100).

EURATEX calls for a competitive and harmonised Circular Economy Act For Textiles

EURATEX, representing Europe’s textile and clothing industry with over 200,000 companies and 1.3 million workers, has submitted its official position paper to the European Commission’s consultation on the upcoming Circular Economy Act (CEA). The association welcomes the Commission’s initiative to shape a framework that strengthens Europe’s circular economy while maintaining industrial competitiveness.

Tissue paper technologies to meet global buyers at HIGHTEX 2026

Hosting a wide range of sectors from composite materials to smart textiles, from filtration systems to hygiene products, one of the most remarkable sections of the HIGHTEX 2026 Exhibition will be Tissue Paper Technologies. In this special section, the leading companies of the industry will introduce their innovative production technologies and sustainable solutions to global buyers.

38th International Cotton Conference Bremen launches registration and unveils key topics

Participants can now register online for the 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen, which will be held on 25-27 March 2026 at the Haus der Bürgerschaft parliament building on market square. All visitors can look forward to a high-calibre conference programme, numerous additional meetings and a valuable exchange of knowledge and information. The comprehensive range of topics covering the entire value chain will provide practical expertise, address current developments, answer key industry questions, and provide new impetus for the future.

Innovation and customer proximity – KARL MAYER’s clear focus makes an impression

ITMA ASIA in Singapore was a resounding success for KARL MAYER, exceeding all expectations. The company welcomed visitors from 39 countries and held around 570 expert discussions. Most guests came from India, followed by China, Indonesia and Pakistan. The exchange with them was both well-founded and targeted. Conversation topics ranged from investment projects and new technologies to opportunities for cooperation and business expansion.