Intense Interest in Stäubli’s SX PRO Jacquard Machine at ITM 2022
Fritz Legler, Head of Marketing and Sales of Stäubli
Head of Marketing and Sales of Stäubli Fritz Legler, whom we interviewed for our Tekstil Teknoloji magazine, stated that they had the opportunity to introduce all the innovations they have developed in the last 3 years at the ITM 2022 Exhibition.
First of all, after a 3-year break due to the pandemic, textile technology leaders came together at the ITM 2022. Did the exhibition meet your expectations??
We hope that ITM 2022 will bring a positive attitude to the industry in general and be a dynamic driving force. We could not attend the exhibitions for a long time due to the pandemic. Companies are happy to meet their stakeholders face-to-face again and introduce their new developments. We, as Stäubli, are happy to come to İstanbul and be a part of this important exhibition.
Stäubli introduced the new SX PRO Jacquard machine at the ITM 2022 Exhibition. What will be the advantages of this new machine and the benefits it will provide to users?
This new Jacquard machine is a sustainable solution for weavers seeking equipment that helps them better manage rising energy costs. The new Stäubli SX PRO responds to the market demand for higher power efficiency and reduced energy consumption. It incorporates all of the proven technology of previous Stäubli Jacquard machines and additionally features a number of innovations to reduce energy consumption like the brand-new MX PRO module with low-friction design, fully integrated power supply, and new ventilation system with optimized temperature monitoring.
The Stäubli SX PRO can operate at high weaving speeds with reliability and resilience even in extremely challenging conditions, especially when combined with the user-friendly TC8 Controller and the powerful NOEMI electronic architecture, which transmits highly precise design data. Equipped with up to 2,688 hooks, the SX PRO is perfectly adapted to the needs of the Turkish market, where mattress fabric, terry cloth, and apparel and upholstery fabrics are produced.
“Our Turkish Customers Know Very Well How to Cope with Difficulties”
What are your evaluations about the Turkish textile industry and the Turkish market?
Turkey is very well positioned in Europe and is building a strong bridge across the pond to America. The industry is doing well despite great challenges with increasing costs, energy prices, and inflation. Supply-chain disruptions are a burden for everyone in our industry. Our Turkish customers know how to cope with those challenges quite well.
What are your predictions about the trends and innovations in knitting technologies in the world in the near future?
We are currently focusing on the weaving industry, where the main trends include automation & digitalization, efficiency, and sustainability. The trends in the knitting industry are similar.
What do you believe to be the biggest challenges that our industry will face during the coming years?
Inflation is already impacting prices of raw materials like cotton, and the global geopolitical situation is weighing on the worldwide economy. Logistics remains a bottleneck. In general, business and production processes have to be optimized at every level. Qualified personnel must be acquired, financial stability must be ensured, and managers must lead with optimism and vision. Stäubli is very attuned to market needs, remaining close to our customers and supporting them with perfectly adapted machinery that not only delivers high performance but also sustainability in terms of longevity and less energy consumption. With our broad range of solutions and our individual consultation, we give our customers great flexibility in deciding how to best meet their challenges.
There’s a lot going on in the textile industry: digitalization, sustainability, the circular-fashion approach, traceability, and much more. How do you see the role of Stäubli in this situation?
From early on, Stäubli has been a trendsetting industry player in terms of state-of-the-art technology. Thanks to our engineering staff and the significant amounts we invest in R&D every year, we keep pace with the market and remain at the forefront, providing adapted machinery that addresses the challenges of digitalization and sustainability. Our machinery has always been built with first-class materials, and our production has been traceable for many years now. Stäubli production plants operate to high environmental standards, something which many textile producing countries and companies cannot claim. The cutting-edge technologies we apply are important in saving energy, conserving water, and ultimately protecting the environment.
The effects of the pandemic are gradually decreasing all over the world. How is 2022 for Stäubli?
We are glad to be finding our way back to a certain normality. But there are now other factors that are disturbing the global economy. Like everyone else, we have to deal with supply-chain disruptions. But we all know how to manage our companies in such situations, so there is really nothing to complain about. All in all, we are satisfied with the market situation. Our customers are weaving, which is a good sign!
