#Raw Materials

2020-06-18

Bremen Cotton Exchange: Board elects Stephanie Silber president

In line with the Articles of Association, the election to the Executive Committee was held on 18 June on the occasion of the 146th Annual General Assembly of the Bremen Cotton Exchange.

Stephanie Silber (c) 2020 Bremer Baumwollbörse

With Stephanie Silber (40), the Board of Directors has elected a female president for the first time. Stephanie Silber has been Managing Director of Otto Stadtlander GmbH for many years, an internationally networked Bremen cotton trading company with a long tradition and 100 years of history.

The previous President, Jens D. Lukaczik (54), Managing Partner of the globally operating service company Cargo Control Germany GmbH & Co. KG, remains on the Executive Committee as Vice President. Also Ernst Grimmelt (53), Managing Director of the Europe-wide spinning and weaving mill with a focus on innovation and sustainability, Velener Textil GmbH in Velen, Westphalia was re-elected as Vice President. The same applies to Fritz A. Grobien (62), who has many years of experience in the cotton trade and is Managing Partner of Albrecht, Müller-Pearse & Co. Trade (GmbH & Co.) KG.

Jens D. Lukacik, Fritz A. Grobien, Ernst Grimmelt (c) 2020 Bremer Baumwollbörse

“Like the whole world, the cotton industry is struggling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the extent of which is yet to be seen”, said the newly elected President. “It is all the more important to promote cooperation and the exchange of information, but above all understanding between cotton producers, cotton traders and cotton processors. The Bremen Cotton Exchange is closely connected to all of these segments and through its importance in the textile chain can provide support during this difficult situation. I’m looking forward to helping shape this challenge as President of the Bremen Cotton Exchange.”

Roland Stelzer (c) 2020 Bremer Baumwollbörse

Roland Stelzer new to the Board

New elections to the Board of Directors were also held during the General Assembly. Roland Stelzer, Managing Director of Gebr. Elmer & Zweifel GmbH & Co. KG, Bempflingen, was newly elected to the now enlarged board. Other members of the Board are: Hannes Drolle, Getzner Textil AG, Bludenz, Austria; Jean-Paul Haessig, RCMA Asia PTE LTD, Singapore; Henning Hammer, Otto Stadtlander GmbH, Bremen, in Shanghai responsible for the Asian business; Jan Kettelhack, Hch. Kettelhack GmbH + Co.KG, Rheine; Konrad Schröer, Setex-Textil GmbH, Hamminkeln-Dingden; Peter Spoerry, Spoerry 1886 AG, Flums, also in the function as a representative of the Swiss textile industry, and Axel Trede, Cotton Service International GmbH, Bremen. Manfred Kern sits on the board as an advisory member from the Austrian textile industry.

A special feature of the Bremen Cotton Exchange: The members of the Executive Board and the Executive Committee largely belong to companies from various areas of the cotton supply chain, such as trade, processing and services. This gives the association access to an extensive network and worldwide information resources within the global cotton textile sector.

Due to the current contact restrictions, the General Assembly could not take place as usual in Bremen this year. The necessary votes of the ordinary members of the Bremen Cotton Exchange were carried out in advance by means of a written vote. The old and new Board met in the form of a web meeting.

A Powerful Opening: Global thought leaders launch the International Cotton Conference Bremen

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China projected to increase cotton production, yields, and imports in 2026/27

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TM WEFT, 270" – More width, more design freedom for the fashion world

KARL MAYER is expanding its successful TM WEFT series with an innovative model that opens up new possibilities, particularly in the fashion & apparel sectors. With a working width of 270", this new machine with weft-insertion not only offers significantly higher output than its narrower counterparts but is also specifically tailored to the demands of dynamic clothing market – particularly in China and Türkiye. A well-thought-out upgrade also ensures even greater design versatility.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.