#Spinning

2022-12-08

Loepfe expand globally creating local business units in China, India and Turkey

Local business units in China, India and Turkey © 2022 Loepfe

The integration of trusted service partners strengthens relationships with local customers and creates opportunities to collaborate on future product development.

As part of their ongoing commitment to customer-centricity, Loepfe Brothers Ltd. have announced their expansion into China, India and Turkey. The strategic integration of key service partners creates dedicated business units that can provide a local service to customers, while drawing on the international support within the Vandewiele group.

Decades spent as trusted service partners ensures continuity and stability for clients during the integration period, with experienced and knowledgeable staff continuing to provide customer service and technical support. Further, clients will have the opportunity to impact the company’s future product portfolio more directly. Direct feedback will lead to clients being a key part of solution testing and development, and to products being more closely aligned to their needs.

These strategic moves have been undertaken as part of Loepfe’s long-term goal to provide more direct operational and strategic support to customers in the key markets, Turkey, India and China. The Loepfe business units remain independent within the Vandewiele structure.

Jürg Schneider, Head of Sales & Service at Loepfe Brothers Ltd. said: “By being much closer to our customers, we’re able to offer even more effective local installation, training and troubleshooting services. We want to thank our integrated service partners, who have successfully served our customers in key markets for years, for the smooth integration process. Every member of staff will continue to play an integral part in this transition, ensuring stability for our customers.”

Dr. Ralph Mennicke, CEO of Loepfe Brothers Ltd. states: “This strategic move reinforces our commitment to the three markets, Turkey, India and China. Our teams on the ground will provide product updates, upgrades and trainings, while collecting invaluable customer feedback. We warmly welcome each individual within our new business units to the Loepfe family. Their expertise and local insight are key to the success of Loepfe and play an essential part in our ongoing transformation.”

A tradition of innovation celebrated at ITMA 2025 in Singapore

For 70 years, Loepfe has embodied precision, technological excellence, and uncompromising quality. Join us as we proudly celebrate seven decades of innovation at ITMA 2025 in Singapore. Founded in 1955 by two visionary brothers, Helmut and Erich Loepfe, the company has been a pioneer in yarn quality control – continuously pushing technological boundaries to meet and exceed industry expectations.

Leadership transition at Loepfe

Loepfe Brothers Ltd. has embarked on a new chapter with the appointment of Markus Kleindorp as the new CEO, ushering in a fresh era of leadership. Former CEO Ralph Mennicke's departure prompts restructuring, including the addition of Gregor Stalder as CFO. With this seasoned team, Loepfe aims to maintain its excellence in the textile industry.

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.

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.

The heart of the technical textiles and nonwovens world will beat in Istanbul

Only 1 day remains until HIGHTEX 2026 International Technical Textiles and Nonwovens Exhibition opens its doors. Bringing together manufacturers, technology developers, investors, and industry professionals from around the world, HIGHTEX 2026 is preparing to showcase the innovations shaping the future of the industry. As the countdown to this major event continues, Istanbul is once again getting ready to become the meeting point of the global technical textiles industry.

Grasim Industries announces fresh investment of ₹3094 Crore to expand Lyocell capacity

Grasim Industries Limited, the flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group and a global leader in cellulosic fibres, today announced an investment of ₹3,094 crore, for Phase II Lyocell capacity of 110K TPA at Harihar, Karnataka. This expansion will consist of 2 lines of 55K TPA (150 Tons per day) each. The first line is expected to be commissioned by 2028, and the second line is expected to be commissioned by 2030.

The future of textiles, the power of trade, and the summit of technology come together at ITM 2026

ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, one of the most prestigious organizations in the textile technologies sector, opens its doors to visitors between June 9-13. Expected to break records in terms of both exhibitor and visitor numbers, as well as the technological vision it presents, ITM 2026 will transform into a global trade hub with machine sales, and new business collaborations.

ATCO Hygienics, Uzbekistan, orders baby diaper production line from ANDRITZ

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from ATCO Hygienics to supply a new baby diaper production line for its plant in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The order is included in ANDRITZ’s order intake for the first quarter of 2026. Commissioning of the production line is scheduled for the end of 2026.