“Even Through These Difficult Times the Demand for Autocoro Has Been High in Turkey”
Saurer, one of the leading manufacturers in the field of yarn technologies, managed to keep the production factories of the company in Germany running all through the year despite the difficulties caused by the corona virus.
We interviewed with Ersoy Buran, General Manager of Saurer Tekstil A.Ş. for our “Yarn Technologies Special Issue”. He gave information about the trends in the spinning machinery industry and the demands from Saurer customers. Buran said; “Even through these difficult times the demand for Autocoro worldwide but also especially in Turkey has been high and it has allowed us to participate in this growing application. Autocoro offers several special features for spinning mills .”
What developments have your company achieved in the yarn machinery market over the past 12 months?
After introducing a completely new portfolio of machinery at ITMA 2019, Saurer has been further developing new features and innovations. Like the small, but vital colour display at each spinning position on Saurer’s rotor spinning machine Autocoro. This makes the operator’s task much simpler. Thanks to easily recognizable symbols, it is possible to see the status of each spinning position without having to interact with the machine.
Or the new Autoconer Multilink system allowing a new kind of flexible, space-saving spinning mill layouts. Up to four ring-spinning machines can be linked to one Autoconer via MultiLink. This makes automation possible in situations where it was previously not economical. This applies, for example, to conditions where space is cramped or limited, typical of the replacement segment.
Autocoro is benchmark in high efficiency rotor spinning
What are your major products for the industry? What are the distinguishing characteristics and features of your major products?
Over the years Saurer has become a specialist in processing all kinds of fibres for the most diverse applications. With the new Autoairo air spinning machine we completed the circle of five end-spinning applications. Ring, compact, worsted ring, rotor and air spinning are all results of our customer-focused product innovation.
Saurer is the only manufacturer who can offer a bale to yarn package or even twisted package solution including automation and mill management out of one hand. Saurer pre-spinning is the foundation of Zinser and Schlafhorst Systems. The flexible portfolio offers the right solutions for preparation of all kinds of fibres for the subsequent processes. Schlafhorst Systems offer the highest versatility in the market. Our open-end spinning machines pioneer flexibility with highest production speeds and single motor drives. Autocoro is benchmark in high efficiency rotor spinning.
Zinser Systems offer a wide range of specialized ring-spinning solutions from bale to yarn package. Efficient ring-spinning machinery combined with intelligent winding guarantee yarn quality.
What were the biggest challenges you faced while perfecting the technology?
Automation and digitalization are necessities in today’s smart and connected world. Technologies for tomorrow‘s smart mill are developed today. On the other hand, the textile industry in our part of the value chain is very cost sensitive.
Recycling is an important general megatrend and its presence in textile industry is growing. Pure man-made fibres are considered easier to recycle. The shortness of regenerated fibres on staple fibre side, has made spinning and raw material utilization a challenge. Especially Saurer’s rotor spinning machinery lines Autocoro and BD proven successful in this application.
Even through these difficult times the demand for Autocoro worldwide but also especially in Turkey has been high and it has allowed us to participate in this growing application. Autocoro offers several special features for spinning even short fibres into quality yarn.
Trends in the spinning machinery industry: Flexibility, Automation and Recycling
What popular requests do you receive from customers these days regarding their machinery?
The requests are naturally highly dependent on the customer’s product portfolio but in general, we see currently three trends. Current market situation demands for flexibility in the machinery. Fashion cycles are getting shorter and lot changes sometimes come faster than before. In order to keep the customer profitable in the changing market environment, the machines need to be ready to adapt to changing requirements.
Second important request today is automation. Both automation inside the machine as well as mill automation in general. There is a lack of staff worldwide and a large demand for improving working conditions in the mill. Saurer machinery is getting more intelligent and the portfolio includes an increasing number of intelligent machines who i.e. are able to regulate spinning speed in order to reach the optimized speed.
Demand for mill automation is also increasing. Saurer has dedicated a completely new division for this product – the new product line Automation Solutions serves as an expert engineering partner for integrated automation solutions across the entire textile value chain.
Third request is related to recycling. Saurer’s product range includes solutions suited for processing regenerated fibres starting from blow room and carding up to spinning. Both Saurer Autocoro and Saurer BD rotor spinning machines are excellent partners for this application.
As you know, the whole world is struggling with the coronavirus pandemic recently. What are your plans for the post-pandemic period?
Just before the worst outbreak and the following lock downs, we filled our local warehouses worldwide and informed our customers on how to prepare their machinery for a longer still stand. Due to travel limitations, the cooperation through digital media has increased and the already planned development was sped up. We will surely use the experiences in our further development in these fields. We believe that learning situation will give digital learning and remote service development a boost.
We are very pleased that our German factories were able to produce throughout the whole year. We will surely pay even more attention to our sourcing platforms in order to avoid vulnerability in times of crisis.
Interview: Dilek HAYIRLI
