“Uzbekistan, Brazil and Egypt were the Markets that Bucked the Decline Trend in Exports”
Interview: Dilek Hayırlı
Cornelia Buchwalder, Secretary General of Swissmem said; “Exports to most major markets fell, with the decline in the two most important export markets of China and India being particularly significant. Three export markets that bucked this trend were Uzbekistan, Brazil and Egypt.”
We interview with Cornelia Buchwalder, Secretary General of Swissmem, for the ‘Swiss Textile Machinery Industry’ special issue. Buchwalder evaluated the year 2023 for the Swiss textile machinery sector and talked about the events and trainings they organise for their members as Swissmem. Making evaluations about the future of the global textile market, Buchwalder said, “In principle, the global textile industry will continue to grow. I have no fears for the Swiss textile machinery industry either; most of our member companies are over 100 years old and have been able to prove themselves over the many challenges of the time.”
“Our Exports Declined by 16.5 per cent compared to the Previous Year”
First of all, how has been the gone for the Swiss textile machinery industry in 2023 in terms of performance? Can you explain this with machine production, machine sales figures and growth figures?
2023 was a difficult year for the Swiss textile machinery industry. Exports fell by 16.5% compared to the previous year. Exports to most major markets fell, with the decline in the two most important export markets of China and India being particularly significant. Three export markets that bucked this trend were Uzbekistan, Brazil and Egypt. A trend reversal is not in sight for 2024 until the end of the year at the earliest, although the decline has slowed statistically. Cautious optimism is therefore justified.
Can you list some Swissmem’s most recent achievements and major projects?
As an association, we have four main pillars for supporting the Swiss textile machinery industry. The first is the further development of ITMA branded exhibitions and supporting our member companies in participating in them. Next on the agenda is ITMA Asia + Citme 2024 in Shanghai in October. Another pillar is the support of companies in the field of innovation. We currently offer a wide range of support in the area of sustainability, including in relation to the ongoing legislative changes in the EU with respect to the textile industry. Another activity revolves around textile training, where we have a module for new employees of our member companies together with the Swiss Textile College. And last but not least, everything that falls under the heading of promotion for our industry. Two activities should be mentioned here for 2024. The Swiss Pavilion at Techtextil in Frankfurt in April 2024 and the two Swiss Textile Machinery Symposia that we are organising in September / October in Mexico City and Charlotte (US).
What are the major growth markets for the Swiss textile machinery manufacturers at present – where are machines being sold today where they were not five years ago?
Four very relevant markets were and remain China, India, the USA and Turkey. If you compare the export statistics of recent years, there are no major shifts. It tends to be very large projects in which Swiss exporters are involved, such as recently in Egypt. This market then becomes eminently important for a while, but then drops down the rankings again. Or there are different regional economic challenges that influence the importance of individual export markets for a certain period of time.
“The Global Textile Industry will Continue to Grow”
How do you look at the future of global textile industry? What role SWISSMEM will be playing and what are the new developments that one can look forward to for the growth of the textile industry?
In principle, the global textile industry will continue to grow. I have no fears for the Swiss textile machinery industry either; most of our member companies are over 100 years old and have been able to prove themselves over the many challenges of the time. With their innovative spirit, they will continue to develop the challenges that are important today but also in the coming years, whether in the area of automation, digitalisation or the diverse topics of sustainability.
“Turkey will Continue to be One of the Strategic Partners for Our Industry”
What are your views on Turkey as a potential market for Swiss textile machinery industry in the next few years?
Turkey is and remains a very relevant market for our industry. If you look at the export statistics, you will notice that Turkey has always been one of the three most important export markets for Swiss textile machinery manufacturers for many years. The difficult economic situation in the country in recent years has also changed the ranking. Turkey is currently in 6th place in these statistics, partly because the decline in imports from Switzerland last year was over 30%. This current decline is deemed temporary and, considering the importance of the Turkish textile industry and the many efforts to develop this industry, Türkiye will remain one of the strategic partners for our industry.
“ITM 2024 is One of the Most Relevant Trade Exhibitions for Our Members This Year”
How are Swiss Textile Machinery Manufacturers preparing for ITM 2024 Exhibition? How will the exhibition accelerate the textile machinery market, which has stagnated in recent years?
ITM 2024 in İstanbul is one of the most relevant trade exhibitions for our members this year. This is mainly due to the geographical diversity of visitors to the show, where many other nations are expected in addition to Turkey.
The economic situation remains tense for our industry. Of course, one trade fair alone cannot change this. But it does provide a good opportunity to capture the mood and discuss the wide range of projects with customers. In this sense, we can certainly expect economic impetus from ITM 2024, which goes hand in hand with the indicators that the textile machinery industry has just left the trough behind.