[pageLogInLogOut]

#Spinning

Rieter advances strategic repositioning amid market volatility

Rieter Servocan © 2026 Rieter

Rieter successfully completed the acquisition of Barmag on February 2, 2026, and reached an important milestone in the company’s repositioning. Barmag will be integrated into the Rieter Group as the “Man-Made Fiber” Division. With this strategically transformative acquisition, Rieter is expanding its core business beyond the short-staple fiber business in a targeted way. This positions Rieter as the global market leader along the entire value chain for natural and man-made fibers. In addition, as a complete systems supplier, Rieter is further strengthening its technological leadership in the areas of automation and digitization.


The transaction is a consistent step in implementing Rieter’s long-term growth strategy and builds on previous acquisitions that have systematically expanded the portfolio. Since acquiring the automatic winding machine in the 2021 financial year, Rieter has been the only system supplier covering the entire production process from fiber preparation to all four end-spinning technologies.

Through the acquisition of Barmag, Rieter is expanding its sales markets to include the structurally growing man-made fiber market. With this additional technological breadth, Rieter increases its resilience and reduces dependence on cyclical fluctuations in individual end markets. This paves the way for Rieter to capitalize on the expected recovery of the global textile machinery market. At the same time, the Man-Made Fiber Division strengthens Rieter’s market position in the long term in the strategically important Asia region.

Order intake

Order intake remained constant on a currency-adjusted basis. It amounted to CHF 703.4 million in 2025 (2024: CHF 725.5 million). The expected wider market recovery has been delayed due to the ongoing global trade conflict (particularly the punitive US tariffs) and geopolitical uncertainty.

The Machines & Systems Division posted an order intake of CHF 346.3 million (2024: CHF 364.2 million). While the Machines & Systems Division recorded an increase in demand, order completion was significantly impacted by uncertainty surrounding customs tariffs and the geopolitical and economic situation.

The Components Division generated an order intake of CHF 193.5 million (2024: CHF 206.6 million) and is suffering under lower demand for components for new machines, mainly due to the cautious investment activity in the market.

The After Sales Division recorded a pleasing 6% increase in its order intake to CHF 163.6 million (2024: CHF 154.7 million). This positive development confirms the strategic growth initiatives that have been launched. Incoming orders are benefiting from increased sales activities in the target markets, such as Central Asia and China, as well as from the ongoing expansion of the service and repair network.

Sales

The Rieter Group closed the 2025 financial year with sales of CHF 685.1 million (2024: CHF 859.1 million), thus remaining 20% below the previous year’s period.

The Machines & Systems Division posted sales of CHF 329.1 million, down 23% on the previous year (2024: CHF 424.9 million). Sales in the Components Division fell by 19% year on year to CHF 200.8 million (2024: CHF 247.6 million). The After Sales Division posted sales of CHF 155.2 million, down 17% over the previous year (2024: CHF 186.6 million).

Order backlog

At the end of 2025, the company had an order backlog of around CHF 510 million (December 31, 2024: CHF 530 million).

Operating EBIT, net profit, free cash flow

Despite the decline in sales, Rieter achieved a positive operating EBIT of CHF 2.5 million (before restructuring and transaction costs). This is primarily attributable to the consistent implementation of additional cost measures. Owing to extraordinary restructuring expenses and transaction costs in connection with the acquisition of Barmag in the amount of CHF 54.2 million, Rieter closed the 2025 financial year with a net loss of CHF 63.4 million (2024: net profit of CHF 10.4 million).

Free cash flow was CHF -40.6 million (2024: CHF 14.1 million). Owing to the capital increase already completed to finance the acquisition of Barmag, net liquidity amounted to CHF 184.3 million (2024: CHF -230.3 million).

The equity ratio increased to 53.3% as of December 31, 2025 (previous year: 33.7%), which was due in particular to the capital increase completed in October 2025 in connection with the Barmag acquisition. The acquisition was completed on February 2, 2026.

Dividends

The Board of Directors proposes to the shareholders that no dividend be distributed in view of the negative Group result. The company continues to adhere to its fundamental dividend policy of distributing at least 40% of net profit.

New medium-term targets

Rieter is pursuing a soft integration approach for Barmag. In this context, Rieter confirms a preliminary synergy assumption of at least CHF 20 million resulting from the acquisition. These synergies are reflected in the new medium-term targets. An update on the realization of synergies will be provided with the results for the first half of 2026.

Rieter sees strong potential for the combined company beyond 2026. To this end, it has defined three new market scenarios following the successful realization of synergies from the Barmag acquisition:

Low scenario

In a subdued market environment with slow recovery in terms of demand and ongoing price pressure, sales of around CHF 1.4 billion are expected, with an operating EBIT margin of 2 to 5%.

Medium scenario

In a normalized market environment with stable demand, sales of around CHF 1.8 billion are expected, with an operating EBIT margin of 5 to 8%.

High scenario

In a strong market environment with broad-based demand and high capacity utilization, sales could reach CHF 2.2 billion, with an operating EBIT margin of 8 to 11%.

Outlook for 2026

In 2026, a year of transition, Rieter expects sales in the range of CHF 1.3 to CHF 1.5 billion.

The outlook for 2026 reflects the integration of Barmag and the restructuring measures announced in 2025, which are yet to be fully implemented. As a result, a positive operating EBIT margin in the range of 0 to 3% is expected. Financing for the further development of the combined company is fully secured.




More News from Rieter Textile Systems

#Spinning

Rieter prepares leadership transition in Components & Technology

Roger Albrecht, Head of the “Components & Technology” Division, has decided to pursue a new opportunity outside the Rieter Group. Roger has worked for the Group for 11 years and has been instrumental in maintaining Rieter’s position as a technology leader in the short-staple business.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Rieter and partners launch Recycling Powerhouse for industrial-scale textile recycling

Recycling Powerhouse Ltd. was established in July 2026 to industrialize, standardize and scale textile recycling. Based in Switzerland, the venture will operate a franchise-driven business model that enables the production of high-quality, certified recycled yarns. The project is supported by the following partners: Rieter Group, the world’s leading system supplier for natural and man-made fibers, Säntis Textiles, a Swiss textile engineering company, and Valvan, a Belgian sorting technology company. The first blueprint franchise operation is scheduled to launch early 2027 in partnership with Suhail Industrial Holding Group in Qatar.

#Spinning

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.

#Spinning

"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.

More News on Spinning

#Spinning

Greater efficiency for tomorrow’s textile industry

From September 24 to 27, 2026, Barmag, together with BB Engineering (BBE), will present innovative solutions for the efficient and sustainable production of synthetic yarns at the Egy Stitch & Tex Expo in Cairo, Egypt. Under the motto “A New Era. Powered by Innovation.,” experts from Barmag and BBE will present technologies spanning the entire textile value chain — from melt to yarn — at the ATAG Ltd. booth (Hall 1, Booth C1).

#Spinning

Barmag presents metering pump solutions at ASE China

From September 15 to 17, 2026, Barmag’s Pumps Division will present its solutions for the precise delivery and metering of adhesives, sealants, and other high-viscosity media at ASE China at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. The focus of the exhibition will be on high-precision gear metering pumps that help plant managers sustainably optimize material usage, process stability, and product quality. (Booth E4235).

#Spinning

Trützschler’s latest spinning and card clothing innovations at CAITME 2026

From September 8 to 10, 2026, Trützschler will present its latest innovations in spinning and card clothing for state-of-the-art fiber processing at CAITME in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Visitors are invited to meet the experts at Pavilion 2, Booth D50 and explore solutions designed to increase productivity, streamline processes, and ensure consistently high yarn quality. Key topics include the next-generation card TC 30i, the integrated draw frame IDF 3, the high-performance comber TCO 21XL as well as Trützschler Card Clothing’s new flat top series STEELTOP®.

#Spinning

BICO BCF yarn delivers impressive performance in field testing

In a joint development project with other partners, Barmag and Object Carpet have successfully tested BICO BCF yarn in the carpet manufacturing process. The results show that this innovative yarn technology offers significant performance advantages and opens up new possibilities for recycling-oriented carpet constructions.

Latest News

#Raw Materials

Global cotton production projected to outpace consumption, but risks remain

Global cotton production is projected to reach 26.2 million tonnes in the 2026/27 season, marginally outpacing estimated consumption of 25.9 million tonnes. However, early-season production risks — including weather volatility and pest pressures — could narrow that buffer as the crop progresses, according to the September 2026 issue of Cotton This Month, published by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).

#Europe

European textile industry calls for €10 handling fee on ultra-fast-fashion imports

The introduction of the €3 customs duty on low-value imports marks an important milestone in Europe’s efforts to address the challenges created by the rapid growth of ultra-fast-fashion imports. Together with the abolition of the €150 customs duty exemption, it demonstrates that policymakers are willing to act when market distortions become impossible to ignore. However, the European textile and clothing industry considers this a first step rather than the final destination.

#Research & Development

From smart jackets to laser technology: Mona Neubaur explores Textile Factory 7.0

As part of her summer tour, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Mona Neubaur, visited Textilfabrik 7.0 in Mönchengladbach to experience the project’s innovations first-hand. Under the motto “smart and clean”, the visit focused on innovative technologies and sustainable alternatives for textile production - from smart jackets to the decolourisation of textiles using fungal cultures.

#CINTE Techtextil China 2026

Cinte Techtextil China 2026 has opened today, bringing global innovations and resources to Shanghai

As Asia’s premier platform catering to the evolving needs in technical textiles and nonwovens, Cinte Techtextil China has opened today at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, gathering over 300 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions. Across Halls W3 to W5, this edition will create chances for fast-growing sectors and emerging trends – such as Mobiltech, Medtech & Protech, Indutech and more. The curated zones, pavilions, and fringe programme are designed to better connect exhibitors with targeted buyers from across China, Asia-Pacific, and further afield. Meanwhile, the Association Village will gather international industry associations to foster even more global collaboration.

TOP