#Associations

2026-10-01

VDMA Textile Machinery with new Executive Board

Newly elected Executive Board of VDMA Textile Machinery // Image source: VDMA © 2026

At the general meeting of VDMA Textile Machinery held in Hanover at the end of September, Dr Janpeter Horn, Managing Director of A. Herzog Maschinenfabrik, was re-elected as Chairman of the trade association. Regina Brückner, managing partner of Brückner Trockentechnik, and Verena Thies, managing partner of Thies Textilmaschinen, will once again serve as vice-chairs for the next four years.

The general meeting of the VDMA Textile Machinery Association took place in the trade fair city of Hanover, one year ahead of the leading trade fair, ITMA. The event’s theme, “The world is moving forward – where is Europe?”, outlined the industry’s current landscape: increasing competition from Asia, coupled with challenging business conditions in Europe, has led to significant declines in order intake and turnover in recent years.

Although the turnover forecast for 2026 had to be revised downwards to -14 per cent (nominal), order intake appears to be stabilising.

“The discussions and workshops at our General Assembly clearly demonstrated that our industry is in the midst of profound change. The challenges are considerable, yet we possess the innovative strength, the expertise and the technological leadership to actively shape these changes. Together, we will work to support our customers even more effectively throughout the entire lifecycle of their machinery and equipment, to capitalise on the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence, and to strengthen the competitiveness of the European textile machinery industry in the long term. ITMA 2027 in Hanover will be an important milestone in showcasing our industry’s capabilities to the world,” explained Dr Janpeter Horn.

Dr Harald Weber, Managing Director of VDMA Textile Machinery, added: “I look forward to working with the newly elected Executive Board. The board’s wealth of experience, high level of technical expertise and broad positioning reflect the diversity and innovative strength of our sector. Together, we will actively drive forward the key future issues facing the European textile machinery manufacturing sector and provide important impetus for the competitiveness of our industry.”

The Executive Board for the term of office from 2026 to 2030 comprises:

Dr Janpeter Horn, A. Herzog Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG, Oldenburg (Chair)

Regina Brückner, BRÜCKNER Trockentechnik GmbH & Co. KG, Leonberg (Deputy Chair)

Verena Thies, THIES GmbH & Co. KG, Coesfeld (Deputy Chair)

Riccarda Dilo, Oskar Dilo Maschinenfabrik KG, Eberbach

Peter D. Dornier, Lindauer DORNIER GmbH, Lindau

Volker Gingter, A. Monforts Textilmaschinen, Mönchengladbach

Andreas Lukas, ANDRITZ Küsters GmbH, Krefeld

Dr Jörg Morgner, Temafa Maschinenfabrik GmbH, Bergisch Gladbach

Benjamin Reiners, Reiners + Fürst GmbH & Co. KG, Mönchengladbach

Markus Settegast, Groz-Beckert KG, Albstadt

Alexander Stampfer, Trützschler Group SE, Mönchengladbach

Georg Stausberg, Barmag GmbH & Co. KG, Remscheid

Young talents honoured – 60 years Walter Reiners Foundation

At the Techtextil trade fair in Frankfurt at the end of April, Peter D. Dornier, chairman of the VDMA’s Walter Reiners Foundation, presented awards to five successful young engineers. Promotion and sustainability awards were presented in the categories of bachelor’s/project theses and diploma/master’s theses. Academic theses are eligible for the sustainability awards if, for example, they develop solutions for resource-efficient products and technologies.

Young researchers recognised for cutting-edge work in recycling, fibre technology and textile mechanics

At the Aachen-Dresden-Denkendorf International Textile Conference held in Aachen at the end of November, Peter D. Dornier, Chairman of the Walter Reiners Foundation of the VDMA, honoured five successful young engineers. Promotion and sustainability prizes were awarded in the categories bachelor/project theses and diploma/master theses. Academic theses that develop solutions for resource-saving products and technologies, for example, are eligible for the sustainability awards.

VDMA members at ITMA ASIA + CITME in Singapore

With 69 exhibiting member companies, ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 is once again marked by a strong presence of VDMA companies. Altogether 82 companies from Germany will exhibit at the show, covering about 3,500 square meters of exhibition space, topped only by China and Italy. VDMA initiated a German Pavilion with two group stands (spinning in hall 4 and finishing in hall 7) with a total of 30 exhibitors.

VDMA member companies on display at ITMA ASIA

ITMA ASIA + CITME end of October in Singapore will see a strong participation of around 70 VDMA member companies. They will cover nearly all different machinery chapters along the textile value chain including spinning and man-made fibres, nonwovens, weaving, braiding, knitting & warp knitting, finishing & dyeing as well as technologies for textile recycling and processing of recycled material. VDMA initiated a German Pavilion with two group stands (spinning in hall 4 and finishing in hall 7) with a total of 30 exhibitors.

New momentum for British textile machinery in India

The British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is looking to India ITME 2026 as a major opportunity to strengthen industrial partnerships and mutually expand exports, following the introduction of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement and the formation of the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition (UKITMC).

European and Canadian textile associations call for stronger transatlantic cooperation

Ahead of the EU–Canada Summit in Montréal on 29–30 October 2026, EURATEX, the Canadian Textile Industry Association (CTIA) and the Canadian Apparel Federation (CAF) have issued a joint statement calling for closer industrial cooperation, improved implementation of the CETA trade agreement and stronger partnerships in innovation, sustainability and advanced textile technologies.

Itema brings textile versatility to ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026

Itema announces its participation in ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026, taking place November 20–24 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. In Hall 3 – Stand D06, the company will showcase two Galileo-RX rapier weaving machines weaving heavy denim and conveyor belt fabrics, demonstrating its ability to address different textile requirements with application-specific configurations. Five additional Itema machines at partner booths will extend the exhibition lineup to upper shoe fabric, label, Jacquard leno fabrics, and shirting, offering visitors a broader view of Itema rapier and air-jet weaving technologies.

Brückner showcases sustainable technologies for the future of textile finishing at ITMA ASIA 2026

With rising energy costs, increasing environmental requirements, and growing competitive pressure, textile manufacturers worldwide are facing the challenge of making their production processes both more sustainable and more cost-effective. As one of the world's leading specialists in textile finishing machinery, Brückner will present innovative solutions and advanced production technologies at ITMA ASIA 2026 in Shanghai. These technologies can play a key role in significantly reducing both energy consumption and emissions.

Stäubli to introduce new S3292 dobby for high-speed weaving at ITME India 2026

Stäubli will introduce its new S3292 dobby at ITME India 2026, taking place from December 4 to 9 at the India Expo Centre & Mart in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Designed for high-speed air-jet weaving, the new machine will be among the highlights of the company's presentation, which also includes warp preparation systems, cam motions, Jacquard technologies and digital services.