The Swiss Textile Machinery Association, a representative body for Switzerland’s producers of textile equipment, systems and services, has completed 80 years. The association stated that it was born out of a crisis situation. Looking back over its history inspires optimism that current and future challenges will be met with equal success. 

 

The Swiss Textile Machinery Association, a representative body for Switzerland's producers of textile equipment, systems and services, has completed 80 years. The association stated that it was born out of a crisis situation. Looking back over its history inspires optimism that current and future challenges will be met with equal success.#

According to the association, in 1940, a year after the start of world war II, events far away from the battlefields began to impact on the local machinery industry in Switzerland. One problem was a lack of skilled workers through military service call-ups and another was a shortage of raw material, much of which was diverted to weapons production.

 

The Swiss Textile Machinery Association, a representative body for Switzerland's producers of textile equipment, systems and services, has completed 80 years. The association stated that it was born out of a crisis situation. Looking back over its history inspires optimism that current and future challenges will be met with equal success.#

Leaders of the textile machinery industry were increasingly concerned about their operations, especially the need for non-ferrous metals and high-quality steel. The situation became serious and some companies in the industry wanted to request the Swiss Government to secure the required raw material needed to maintain production. The established principle of ‘united we are strong’ led representatives from 22 companies to join forces in forming the first textile machinery group. This was the origin of what today has grown into the Swiss Textile Machinery Association.

 

The Swiss Textile Machinery Association, a representative body for Switzerland's producers of textile equipment, systems and services, has completed 80 years. The association stated that it was born out of a crisis situation. Looking back over its history inspires optimism that current and future challenges will be met with equal success.#

The members of the new Swiss Association of Textile Machinery Manufacturers including well-known brands such as Rüti, Sulzer, Rieter and Saurer – were not actually manufacturing machines from the start – but that was just another crisis to be overcome.

 

The Swiss Textile Machinery Association, a representative body for Switzerland's producers of textile equipment, systems and services, has completed 80 years. The association stated that it was born out of a crisis situation. Looking back over its history inspires optimism that current and future challenges will be met with equal success.#

Over the years, there were numerous periods of great difficulty for the industry: world wars, global economic slumps and other crises of varying degrees of seriousness followed one after another. The profile of the world textile industry also changed. Mass production has long since migrated to the East and South-East. Despite this, or perhaps precisely because of this, Swiss textile machinery today holds a leading position in the high-quality segment of special machines and top-quality materials.

 

The Swiss Textile Machinery Association, a representative body for Switzerland's producers of textile equipment, systems and services, has completed 80 years. The association stated that it was born out of a crisis situation. Looking back over its history inspires optimism that current and future challenges will be met with equal success.#

“This crisis (Covid-19) has hit the textile industry hard, and in my opinion the full impact will only become apparent towards the end of this year,” Ernesto Maurer, president of the Swiss Textile Machinery Association, said in a press release.

 

The Swiss Textile Machinery Association, a representative body for Switzerland's producers of textile equipment, systems and services, has completed 80 years. The association stated that it was born out of a crisis situation. Looking back over its history inspires optimism that current and future challenges will be met with equal success.#

The association suggested that the required skills for the present situation are the same as previously: adaptability and flexibility. Experience through history provides grounds for some optimism for Swiss producers today.

 

The Swiss Textile Machinery Association, a representative body for Switzerland's producers of textile equipment, systems and services, has completed 80 years. The association stated that it was born out of a crisis situation. Looking back over its history inspires optimism that current and future challenges will be met with equal success.#

“On one hand, I rely on innovative solutions and the confidence that Swiss Textile Machinery members will emerge from the crisis stronger than ever. On the other hand, I am convinced that we will also pass this crisis in a Darwinian manner just as we did when our association was founded,” Maurer said. “Some of our members might choose to relocate abroad, while others could join larger groups. Maybe some companies or activities will not stay in the market. Still, I am sure that Swiss Textile Machinery will be successful and maintain its leading position in post-corona times, demonstrating that ‘united we are strong’ applies as truly today as ever.”