#Spinning

2019-09-06

Oerlikon names Philipp Müller CFO

Oerlikon announced that Philipp Müller has been named Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and member of the company’s Executive Committee, effective January 1, 2020, succeeding Jürg Fedier, who will retire at the end of December 2019.

Philipp Müller has more than 15 years of financial and strategic experience across multiple industries. Most recently, he led the investor relations functions at Baker Hughes in Houston, Texas, US. Prior to that, he served as CFO of GE’s oil & gas drilling business from 2014 to 2016. Previously, Mr. Müller held various financial leadership positions in GE’s industrial businesses. Prior to that, he spent five years on GE’s corporate audit staff, where he advanced to executive audit manager at GE Healthcare. Mr. Müller has extensive international experience, having worked in over ten countries during his career. He is a German citizen and holds a Master’s degree in Business from the University of Mannheim, Germany. Philipp Müller will report to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Roland Fischer.

“Philipp is a leader with extensive financial and international management expertise,” said Dr. Fischer. “With his strong financial and strategic skills and experience in the capital markets, he is the ideal person to help lead Oerlikon as we grow in the future.”

Jürg Fedier has served as CFO since joining Oerlikon in 2009. He is credited with successfully refinancing the company in 2010 and has played a key role in defining and executing the company strategy.

“Jürg has been at the center of Oerlikon’s transformation. With his help, we have refinanced the company, streamlined our portfolio through strategic divestments and achieved strong growth by expanding our business and leveraging our financial capabilities,” said Prof. Dr. Michael Süss, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Oerlikon. “He has contributed greatly to the company’s management team with his strong business acumen and financial skills. Largely because of his impact, Oerlikon’s profile and financial performance have improved significantly. We will miss him and wish him all the best in his retirement.”

To ensure a smooth and successful transition, Philipp Müller will join Oerlikon on October 1, 2019, and work with Jürg Fedier until the end of the year.

Barmag and Hitech Automation enter into partnership for an auto-doff system for texturing machines

Barmag (Suzhou) Technology Co., Ltd. and Hitech Automation Solutions PVT LTD. of Surat, India, have agreed to an exclusive partnership to jointly market Hitech’s Doffmatic automation solution for Barmag’s proven manual eFK texturing machines. In many texturing facilities, manual doffing processes remain heavily operator-dependent – resulting in issues such as increased scrap, inconsistent quality, and limited productivity.

Oerlikon Manmade Fibers Solutions hosted successful Technology Day 2025 in India

Oerlikon Manmade Fibers Solutions recently hosted its highly anticipated Innovation and Technology Day at the Deltin Hotel in Daman by end of January 2025. The event attracted over 300 participants, including industry experts, partners, and stakeholders, who gathered to explore the latest advancements and trends in the manmade fibers industry in India.

GenuTrace client advisory: Is your cotton supply chain UFLPA ready?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released updated operational guidance (CBP Publication No. 5560-0526) expanding its forced labor enforcement framework. The guidance supersedes the original 2022 UFLPA Operational Guidance and now covers all forced labor enforcement authorities — UFLPA, CAATSA, and WROs/Findings — in a single unified document. For cotton importers, the enforcement posture has not softened. It has become more structured, more documented, and more demanding. Learn more about UFLPA.

"We will become a recycling powerhouse"

The textile industry is now in its fourth consecutive year of crisis, while automation, artificial intelligence and recycling are reshaping the rules of the game. In this interview, Rieter CEO Thomas Oetterli discusses the first signs of a market recovery, reflects on his first three years at the helm of the company, explains the integration of Barmag, outlines Rieter’s vision of the fully automated spinning mill and highlights the strategic importance of recycling. In doing so, he explains why the new Rieter Group aims to play a leading role in transforming the textile value chain into a circular economy.

Uster’s new Recycling Opening Index guides spinners to the perfect blend

Uster AFIS 6 now offers the key data for better decisions when blending recycled fibers. Process control is decisive in determining the quality and economic outcome. The new R Recycling Module of AFIS 6 introduces the Recycling Opening Index (ROI), so spinners can optimize their circularity credentials. It was officially launched at ITM 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Nico Pedretti appointed as Managing Director Graf Group

As of June 1, 2026, Nico Pedretti has assumed the role of Managing Director Graf Group. With more than 20 years of international industrial experience and extensive expertise in Operations, Supply Chain Management, Finance and Controlling, he brings a broad range of leadership and business experience to support Graf’s continued success.

STOLL: Agreement signed for the divestiture of selected assets

In early 2025, KARL MAYER announced its strategic decision to focus on its core business areas of WARP KNITTING, WARP PREPARATION, and TECHNICAL TEXTILES. As part of this move, the flat knitting machine business under the STOLL brand was discontinued and the production site in Reutlingen was closed in October 2025.

TERNAfil wins first place at PitchMiUp Night 2026 in Minden

The RWTH spin-off TERNAfil has developed MAXCarbon, a new high-performance hybrid fibre that combines the mechanical performance of carbon with the temperature and corrosion resistance of ceramic materials. For this development, TERNAfil was awarded first prize at the PitchMiUp Night in Minden on 21 May 2026.